News Summary
Cadillac secures its first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship win since the previous year’s Petit Le Mans, led by a strong performance from the line-up of Aitken, Bamber, and Vesti. Action Express Racing achieves a significant milestone with its 30th win and 100th podium, narrowing championship gaps in a competitive race. The event featured notable class victories in LMP2 and GTD, with strategic racing and penalties shaping the outcome ahead of the upcoming endurance season finale at Petit Le Mans.
Indianapolis, Indiana – Cadillac secured its first win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship since the previous year’s season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans by claiming victory at the TireRack Battle on the Bricks. Action Express Racing broke a lengthy 918-day winless streak, with the No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R last winning at the 2023 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
The winning lineup of Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti showcased impressive performance, leading for 210 out of 216 laps during the race. Vesti, in particular, celebrated his first career WeatherTech Championship victory as the Cadillac led all but seven laps in this pivotal Michelin Endurance Cup round at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Action Express, being their 30th win and 100th podium in IMSA competition. With this triumph, 17 out of IMSA’s 18 automotive manufacturer partners have now visited victory lane at least once this season.
Championship Implications
The race had important implications for the GTP manufacturers’ championship, as Porsche’s lead was narrowed to just seven points over Acura after both entries from Meyer Shank Racing finished ahead of the factory Porsche 963s. Renger van der Zande, who finished fifth, attributed part of the team’s success to a well-executed strategy that helped close the gap in the championship standings.
The No. 6 Penske Porsche duo, consisting of Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell, led the GTP standings with a substantial 131-point advantage over teammates Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr. However, Tandy and Nasr encountered difficulties during the race, finishing last in class due to a series of penalties and a malfunction with their paddle shifter.
Race Statistics and Conduct
Throughout the six-hour race, IMSA race control issued a total of 38 penalties for various on-track conduct and pit lane infractions, underscoring the competitive and sometimes chaotic nature of the event.
LMP2 and GTD Classes
The battle for the Jim Trueman Award in LMP2 saw PJ Hyett leading with an 85-point advantage over Daniel Goldburg from United Autosports. In LMP2, TDS Racing, comprising drivers Mikkel Jensen, Steven Thomas, and Hunter McElrea, celebrated their third consecutive class victory at this event.
In the GT Daytona category, Inception Racing achieved its first WeatherTech Championship victory, marking a remarkable turnaround after losing a class win 1,226 days prior due to an underweight car. Meanwhile, Philip Ellis and Russell Ward from Winward Racing continued to dominate the GTD standings with a commanding 224-point lead.
Future Events
Looking ahead, the GTP drivers’ title race remains open, with the No. 24 Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 still mathematically in contention, sitting 145 points behind the leaders. The next WeatherTech Championship race at Indianapolis will revert to a two-hour and 40-minute format, with the Michelin Endurance Cup now shifting to Road America.
The season will culminate with the ten-hour Petit Le Mans endurance race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on October 11, wrapping up the WeatherTech Championship season for all four classes. The action-packed finish at Indianapolis, marked by late cautions and penalties, set the stage for thrilling final races as teams vie for championship glory.
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Additional Resources
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway – IMSA Sunday
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway – IMSA Saturday Report
- Sportscar365 – Indianapolis Post-Race Notebook
- Encyclopedia Britannica: IMSA
- Google Search: IMSA Championship 2025
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.
