Michelin Raceway: Petit Le Mans Preview

October 13, 2023Ramon Jones
IMSA

The final weekend of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship has finally arrived. With all three practice sessions complete the 5 championship classes will participate in qualifying late afternoon on Friday to set the grid for Saturday’s 10 hour race. Championships are on the line for the season finale. In the GTP class all 4 manufacturers sit poised for championship contention. The field is separated by just 64 points from top to bottom. No one could have predicated that it would come down to the final round to decide a champion. However, in the ultimate spirit of racing fans are being provided with a treat. Its anyone’s championship at this point which leaves no room for error tomorrow when the green flag flies.

Who Will Take the GTP Crown?

At the top of the table Whelen Engineering sit just 14 points behind the Konica Minolta WTR Acura ARX-06. After early season success at Sebring the Whelen Engineering side has not one a race since. The teams had had a handful of podiums this year. A year that many would consider very up and down with many highs and lows. In a must win scenario the cars will be put to the ultimate test in the 10 hour long race come tomorrow but before we go racing we need to determine the starting order. Qualifying starts at 3:20pm EST at Road Atlanta.

In LMP2 three cars are in the discussion regarding the 2023 championship title. The No. 11 TDS Racing ORECA LMP2 07, tops the LMP2 class with 1,680 points. Just 20 points back is the No. 52 ORECA driven by PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports. The No. 04 Crowdstrike Racing by APR machine car is 100 points behind the championship leaders. Similarly to the GTP, this is a winner takes all situation.

The LMP3, GTD Pro and GTD championships were all essentially wrapped up before the start of the race week in Atlanta. We will report if this changes but currently the No. 74 Riley LMP3 car will be crowned champion, Paul Miller Racing won the GTD class and the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan GTD Pro car is poised to take the championship.

2023 Petit Le Mans Spotters Guide

Motul Petit Le Mans
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Georgia
October 11-14, 2023
Race Day/Time:  Saturday, October 14 – 11:40 a.m. ET
Peacock Streaming Coverage: LIVE – Flag-to-flag beginning at 11:35 a.m. (outside the U.S. on IMSA.com/TVLive)
USA Network Coverage: LIVE – 6:30-10 p.m.
Live Qualifying Stream:  Friday, October 13 – 3:15-4:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and IMSA.com/TVLive