The Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America is set for an exhilarating race after a dominant qualifying performance by Acura Meyer Shank Racing. Nick Yelloly led the charge, securing pole position with a blistering lap time of 1:49.233 seconds (133.409 mph) in the No. 93 Acura ARX-06.
This victory marks the second consecutive year that Acura Meyer Shank Racing has claimed the top spot at Road America, demonstrating their consistent excellence on this challenging circuit. The team’s success is a testament to their meticulous preparation and the exceptional performance of their Acura ARX-06.
Acura’s Front-Row Lockout
Yelloly’s impressive lap was not an isolated achievement. His teammate, Tom Blomqvist secured the second position with a lap time of 1:49.390 seconds (133.218 mph) in the No. 60 Acura ARX-06. This remarkable performance resulted in a front-row lockout for Acura Meyer Shank Racing, showcasing their dominance in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class.
The No. 24 BMW M Team WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 driven by Sheldon van der Linde will start third with a lap time of 1:49.597 seconds (132.966 mph). Following closely is Louis Deletraz in the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R who secured the fourth position with a lap time of 1:49.613 seconds (132.947 mph).
Championship Implications
The qualifying session also had significant implications for the championship standings. Jack Aitken driving the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R secured the sixth position with a lap time of 1:50.361 seconds (132.046 mph). Aitken, who entered the weekend with a substantial 203-point lead, acknowledged the challenges posed by the changeable weather conditions.
“A bit of a struggle to get the lap time out of it,” Aitken admitted. “It’s just been a very up and down day with the weather, and we weren’t really sure what conditions we were going to get.” Despite the challenges, Aitken remains optimistic about the team’s performance in the upcoming six-hour race.
LMP2 Class Highlights
In the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class, Daniel Goldburg claimed pole position with a fast lap of 1:54.212 seconds (127.593 mph) in the No. 22 United Autosports USA ORECA LMP2 07. This victory is significant for Goldburg, who comes into the race ranked fourth in the LMP2 class championship standings. The top four cars in the LMP2 class were separated by only 0.522 seconds highlighting the intense competition in this category.
The No. 43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA LMP2 07 will start on the second row alongside the No. 99 AO Racing ORECA which won this race from pole position in last year’s event. Goldburg’s performance is a testament to his skill and the team’s preparation, setting the stage for an exciting race in the LMP2 class.
The Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America promises to be a thrilling event, with Acura Meyer Shank Racing leading the charge in the GTP class and United Autosports USA setting the pace in the LMP2 class. As the teams prepare for the six-hour endurance test, fans can expect a display of speed, strategy, and skill on one of the most iconic road courses in the world.
