News Summary
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship qualifying event took a dramatic turn as the No. 60 Acura ARX-06 from Acura Meyer Shank Racing faced disqualification for failing technical inspection standards. This setback moved the Acura to the back of the GTP field, allowing the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R to secure pole position, highlighting a competitive day for Cadillac Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event also featured various other notable performances and unexpected penalties that affected the starting grid.
Indianapolis, Indiana — Acura Meyer Shank Racing’s Entry Disqualified After Post-Qualifying Inspection
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship qualifying event for the upcoming race faced an unexpected turn when the No. 60 Acura ARX-06 from Acura Meyer Shank Racing was disqualified after failing to meet technical inspection standards. This disqualification significantly altered the starting grid for the race, pushing the Acura to the back of the GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) field and promoting the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R, driven by Jack Aitken, to claim pole position.
Disqualification and Its Impact on Qualifying Results
The Acura ARX-06 initially matched a budding pole streak at the IMSA event, tying the four-race consecutive pole wins by BMW M Team RLL. However, post-qualifying technical inspection revealed non-compliance with bodywork tolerances outlined in LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) regulations, leading to the vehicle’s disqualification. This penalty resulted in the Acura being moved to the rear of the GTP starting lineup.
As a result, the No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R, a car driven by Jack Aitken, inherited the top qualifying spot, marking the first time this season that Cadillac Racing and Action Express Racing achieved a pole position. The qualifying also resulted in a rare 1-2-3 lockout for Cadillac, underscoring the manufacturer’s competitiveness at Indianapolis.
Other Notable Qualifying Movements and Events
The No. 75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, with Mikael Grenier as the driver, qualified third in the GTD Pro class. However, due to ground clearance issues, it was also moved to the rear of its starting grid. This adjustment was part of IMSA’s ongoing efforts to ensure vehicle compliance with technical standards.
Another first-time achievement was by United Autosports, which secured its first-ever 1-2 qualifying lockout in the WeatherTech Championship. Nick Boulle, driving the No. 2 ORECA, led the charge in outperforming teammate Daniel Goldburg, signifying a strong performance for the team.
Meanwhile, in the GTD class, Casper Stevenson claimed his first career WeatherTech Championship pole driving the No. 27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. He became the sixth different pole-sitter in GTD so far this season, indicating a competitive and unpredictable class.
Incidents and Penalties During Practice and Qualifying
During the practice sessions leading to qualifying, IMSA race control issued penalties to four cars, penalizing them with the loss of their fastest qualifying times for causing red flags. The involved vehicles underwent repairs, with damage addressed before the qualifying began, ensuring safety and compliance.
Driver Changes and Future Entries
Dan Knox of Lone Star Racing missed the Indianapolis event, choosing to focus on aviation certification for piloting a business jet, and is expected to return for next season. Rory van der Steur’s participation in the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans remains uncertain following a mountain biking accident.
Confirmations include Daniil Kvyat returning to drive the Lamborghini SC63 at Petit Le Mans. Additionally, Scott Dixon is anticipated to rejoin the No. 60 Acura at Road Atlanta, although the presence of Alex Palou remains unconfirmed at this time.
In driver lineup news, Manny Franco has been confirmed to continue with Conquest Racing for a third season. The team is awaiting updates regarding his co-driver from Ferrari. The Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo may not be ready for a scheduled IMSA test at Daytona this November, according to team owner Eric Bachelart.
Vehicle Developments and Future Entry Plans
The new BMW M Hybrid V8 is slated to make its public debut at the upcoming official test in November, following significant aerodynamic updates. Turner Motorsport will continue its single-car operation with a BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the GTD class.
DXDT Racing announced plans to return to the standard GTD with their Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R after ending their GTD Pro operations. Kenny Habul from 75 Express expressed hopes of competing in the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona, with driver lineups still to be confirmed.
Charitable and Community Engagements
IMSA collaborated with the Austin Hatcher Foundation and Camp Boggy Creek for a charity initiative during the event, providing custom fire suits for children connected with their programs. Additionally, the event featured a street festival with autographs, live pit stop demonstrations, and the display of 20 IMSA race cars.
During the race weekend, IMSA launched its Resilient Racers initiative, pairing each team with a child battling serious illnesses, with their names featured prominently on the cars in a display of support and awareness.
Race Coverage and Event Highlights
The race, dubbed the Battle on the Bricks, is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. EST on Peacock, with coverage on the NBC network beginning at 3 p.m. Fans also enjoyed a vibrant event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including driver autograph sessions and live pit stop demonstrations as part of the festivities.
Upcoming Events and Testing
IMSA’s focus shifts to preparations for the upcoming official test at Daytona, with the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo possibly not ready for the November session. The BMW M Hybrid V8 is expected to debut publicly at this time after ongoing aerodynamic modifications. Turner Motorsport remains committed to its single-car program, while DXDT Racing prepares for a return to their standard GTD operations.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- IMSA: What to Watch for TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis
- IndyStar: IMSA Battle on the Bricks Qualifying
- DailySportscar: IMSA Battle on the Bricks Thursday Notebook
- NBC Sports: IMSA Qualifying Highlights
- Motorsport Week: Tom Blomqvist Takes Indy Pole
- Wikipedia: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
- Google Search: IMSA Battle on the Bricks
- Google Scholar: IMSA WeatherTech
- Encyclopedia Britannica: IMSA
- Google News: IMSA Championship
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
