These Highlights Prove Once Again That It Ain’t Over until You Take the Checkered Flag
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Following Sebring, we looked back on some of the recent wild finishes to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance races. This week, the shorter “sprint” races take their turn in the spotlight, and they include some crazy conclusions in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge as well.
Weather played a role in some, as did split-second wrong decisions, mechanical issues and even fabled “argy-bargy.”
Enjoy these five memorable moments that decided IMSA races over the past few years, in reverse chronological order.
2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Lime Rock Park
Russell Ward was poised to win the GT Daytona (GTD) portion of the FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix … until the unfathomable happened to the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. A fuel pump failure on the final lap. It’s the ultimate example of the thrill of victory and agony of defeat all rolled into one.
2022 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Lime Rock Park
The Touring Car (TCR) class in the Michelin Pilot Challenge is known for its hard-charging, give-no-inch racing. Last year’s Lime Rock Park 120 featured that and more as Mikey Taylor (No. 17 Unitronic JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi RS3 LMS SEQ) and Tyler Gonzalez (No. 19 van der Steur Racing Hyundai Veloster N TCR) waged door-to-door combat to determine the outcome.
2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Road America
Slippery when wet. Sudden, heavy rain late in this race at the iconic Wisconsin road course made for a wild and unforgettable conclusion.
2019 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Road America
Even after making a bold pass to move from fourth to second place on the final lap, Robin Liddell (No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R) still figured he didn’t have a chance for the overall and Grand Sport (GS) class victory. Until, that is, the most innocent, inadvertent flip of a pit-lane speed limiter switch turned the result upside down.
2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Long Beach
Ever been stuck in a California interstate traffic jam and decided on the wrong lane to try and get through? Then you’ll feel Antonio Garcia’s pain as he looked to avoid a pile-up in the famous hairpin turn on the last lap at Long Beach.