News Summary
Porsche Penske Motorsport is gearing up for the ‘Battle on the Bricks’ at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the No. 6 Porsche 963 qualifying fifth. Despite challenging weather conditions, team officials remain optimistic about improving placements on race day. The race is set to be competitive, with significant qualifying results shaping the expectations of various teams. The event will take place amid forecasts of rain, which could play a crucial role in the race’s outcome.
Indianapolis Prepares for “Battle on the Bricks” with Porsche Penske Motorsport Qualifying Results
Indianapolis, Indiana – Porsche Penske Motorsport will start the upcoming “Battle on the Bricks” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with promising but not top-tier qualifying positions in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The qualifying session, held under overcast skies and ambient temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius, set the stage for a competitive race in challenging weather conditions, with rain forecasted for race day.
Top Qualifying Performances
The best-placed Porsche 963, entered by Porsche Penske Motorsport, will begin from the third grid row. The No. 6 Porsche 963, driven by Matt Campbell, qualified fifth. Campbell will share the car with French driver Mathieu Jaminet. This pairing is currently leading the drivers’ standings in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, adding optimism for their performance in the race.
Similarly, the sister car, the No. 7 Porsche 963 driven by Felipe Nasr of Brazil and Nick Tandy of the United Kingdom, qualified tenth. Additionally, Nico Müller from Switzerland, competing with JDC-Miller MotorSports, posted the twelfth quickest time in their Porsche 963. Müller and his teammate, presumably named Van der Helm, are aiming to improve performance and placement during the race.
Other Porsche Entries and Class Results
In the GTD Pro class, Laurin Heinrich, a former Porsche Junior driver, qualified sixth in AO Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 R. Heinrich will share this car with Klaus Bachler of Austria. Wright Motorsports also entered a Porsche 911 GT3, which qualified in a thirteenth position on the grid.
Overall, the qualifying results reflect tight competition, with just a tenth of a second separating several positions. The qualifying session saw significant closeness among the top contenders, with Acura’s Blomqvist and Braun claiming the pole position in the GTP class, followed closely by Cadillac entries, including Aitken/Bamber/Vesti and Taylor/Deletraz.
Summary of GTP Class Qualifying Results
- 1st – Blomqvist/Braun (Acura #60)
- 2nd – Aitken/Bamber/Vesti (Cadillac #31)
- 3rd – J. Taylor/Deletraz (Cadillac #40)
- 5th – Campbell/Jaminet (Porsche 963 #6)
- 10th – Nasr/Tandy (Porsche 963 #7)
- 12th – Müller/Van der Helm (Porsche 963 #85)
Class-Specific Details and Additional Notes
In the GTD Pro class, BMW drivers Hesse and Harper secured pole position. The GTD class was topped by Aston Martin entries. The overall qualifying results come amid notable changes in the Balance of Performance announced ahead of the race, including a 9kg increase in the minimum weight for the Porsche 963, making it the heaviest GTP car by 18kg. Adjustments in power levels and weight for other manufacturers are expected to influence race strategies and outcomes.
Expectations and Race Day Outlook
Team officials, including Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh, expressed cautious optimism despite the qualifying results. They acknowledged that positions of fifth and tenth were slightly below expectations but emphasized satisfaction with Campbell’s performance. The team is aware that the forecasted rain could alter race conditions significantly, potentially benefiting their cars’ performance on the challenging track.
Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, highlighted the narrow margins separating competitors, with just a tenth of a second between several positions, underscoring the highly competitive nature of the race.
Race Details and Viewing Information
The “Battle on the Bricks” will commence on Sunday, September 21, at 11:40 a.m. local time (17:10 CEST). Fans worldwide can watch live and free online via imsa.tv, outside the USA and Canada. The race promises to deliver an exciting contest across multiple classes, with weather conditions and strategic pit stops playing crucial roles in the outcome.
Team Perspectives and Optimism
Matt Campbell expressed optimism about their qualifying performance and potential advantages if rain falls during the race. Felipe Nasr pointed out room for improvement and opportunities ahead, while Nico Müller stated their goal to close the gap to factory teams for enhanced performance. Laurin Heinrich emphasized the solid starting position and hopes for better track conditions to boost their race prospects. Adam Adelson, who qualified 13th, drew confidence from similar past results and remains hopeful about team progress.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Porsche Newsroom
- Sportscar365
- FlatSixes
- Google Search: Porsche IMSA Race
- Wikipedia: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar 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.
