Deletraz, Blomqvist Set For Road America Showdown In IMSA's Motul SportsCar Grand Prix

IMSA WeatherTech GTP Class 2025 season championship point standings Pre-Road America. Image Credit: IMSA via FB/META (2025)

Deletraz, Blomqvist Set For Road America Showdown In IMSA's Motul SportsCar Grand Prix

As the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix sponsored by Motul at Road America looms on the horizon from July 31 to August 3, 2025, anticipation builds for Louis Deletraz and Tom Blomqvist, two drivers poised to make their mark on one of America’s most iconic circuits. Deletraz, co-driver of the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R, and Blomqvist, co-driver of the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06, are gearing up for a high-stakes sprint race at a track renowned for its blistering speed and challenging layout. Both drivers, fresh off recent successes and armed with insights from their respective teams’ progress, are eager to capitalize on Road America’s unique characteristics to chase victory and build momentum in the GTP class.

Louis Deletraz and Tom Blomqvist dive into the excitement of racing at Road America, sharing their love for the track’s challenging corners and discussing driver changes and team dynamics with Motorsports Journal's Edmund Jenks ahead of the IMSA Motul SportsCar Grand Prix.

BEGIN Transcript:

Louis Deletraz

Motorsports Journal: What do you like best about Road America and if you were king of the world would you prefer to drive first or second?

“The whole track is a bit like Spa. If you compare, it has a lot of elevation, high grip, pretty smooth. So, there's a lot of nice corners like the Carousel. It's a good mix between technical, low speed, and high speed. It is a challenge to put a big lap in. It's always rewarding when you see a good lap time and you’re up front to have made a lap there. It's just a track you get on and you enjoy, and that's something that you can only describe if you’re in the car. If I had to choose to drive first or second, I mean, at the end, I don't really care as long as we have a good result, I will be very happy. The race is 2 hours, 40 minutes, so both drivers will get enough time.”

Swiss Louis Deletraz loads into his No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R (GTP) at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit Mike Levitt via IMSA (2025)

Motorsports Journal: So, you feel pretty good about helping a driver into the seat as well as just getting out?

“Exactly. That's no issue. I think we work hard to improve our driver change times. It is important in a sprint race. You can have an early yellow and switch drivers quite early into the race. We try to get our times down. I think anything below 15 seconds is good and you try to make it as good as possible, less mistakes as possible, and make sure it's smooth, so you don't lose positions in the pits.”

Tom Blomqvist

Motorsports Journal: Tom, Meyer Shank Racing is now running two really strong programs. In fact, I guess they've got two cars squarely placed in the top ten in IndyCar. Does that have any effect on the culture, the overall culture, at Meyer Shank Racing running two cars in WeatherTech IMSA and I guess the sense of the team around you. 

“Well, it means that our bosses are typically a bit more happy, which is always a good thing. They give us less slack. so  no, I mean, it's obviously been a great year for them. It’s going well in IndyCar and they’ve picked back up with the sports car program as well was huge for the for the team and for the organization. So, from that perspective, obviously it's great and all pretty happy there. But obviously we got to keep delivering as well, right? Like still they still want to go out and win races. We know on the sports cars, we're kind of always going to the weekend fighting for the chance to win and stuff. So, yeah, it was it was obviously great as well, the last two races having got victories for not only for MSR, but also with HRC like this new sort of collaboration, so it's been a great boost for everyone really, so I hope that motivates them to keep wanting to do well and keep trying to get better.” 

Brit Tom Blomqvist, co-driver of the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian Acura ARX-06 (GTP), drives pitlane as he enters the track at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit Mike Levitt via IMSA (2025)

Motorsports Journal: At Road America from outside of the Carousel, what are some of the parts of the track you like the most? 

“For me, I kind of like it all. I quite like heavy break zones, which is kind of boring in a way, but I like them. Yeah, I like I like that. I like five. I like eight. But in terms of like a bit more fun, I think it's actually after the kink you've got the right left, it's quite a tricky corner actually to get right, the car never feels like it's quite for whatever reason, it's just tricky corner, can't never feels amazing there. but in that you got that left, which is pretty fast. and in the last corner (Turn 14), which is a bit of an awkward, it's quite a long, sort of like awkward right hander. and I'll see it leads onto a street. So it's quite important. So yeah, that probably I enjoy. There is parts, even this first sector, the first corner is nice. Like there's so many good corners there honestly. like it's like I said, it's probably my favorite. now, thank you.” 

ENDS

For Deletraz, Road America represents both a thrilling opportunity and a new challenge with the Cadillac V-Series.R. “It’s an awesome track; so fast,” he enthused, reflecting on the circuit’s high-speed demands. Coming off a double podium for Wayne Taylor Racing at Watkins Glen, Deletraz is brimming with confidence. The team’s first podium of the season has ignited a hunger for more, with the Swiss driver eyeing a maiden win at Road America. “We want to build momentum from that,” he said, acknowledging the team’s growing synergy with the Cadillac. Despite a tough start to the year, Deletraz believes the team’s learning curve has positioned them well for Road America, a track where their data and experience could translate into a competitive edge.

Blomqvist, meanwhile, approaches Road America with a deep affinity for the circuit, calling it “probably my favorite track from an enjoyment level to drive.” His recent test at the track with Meyer Shank Racing revealed a circuit that has evolved since its resurfacing in 2023, becoming “slightly more forgiving” with less drastic grip loss offline. This suits the Acura ARX-06, which has historically performed well at Road America’s long straights and fast corners. Blomqvist’s optimism is bolstered by his team’s steady improvement throughout the season. “Every race we’re getting better with the new organization,” he noted, highlighting the integration of new personnel and the strategic challenges of running two cars. With back-to-back wins in recent races, Blomqvist is hopeful Acura can fight for another victory.

Both drivers are navigating the complexities of multi-class racing at Road America, a four-class sprint race that presents unique challenges with its mix of high-speed straights and tight corners like the Carousel and the Kink. Blomqvist sees the track’s layout as advantageous for the GTP cars, which can leverage their straight-line speed to overtake slower classes more easily than at tighter circuits like Watkins Glen. “It’s a bit easier track for us to navigate traffic,” he explained, though he cautioned that timing runs through the Kink could prove costly if mistimed. Deletraz, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of track position in a sprint race, where fewer pit stops limit strategic opportunities. Both drivers are acutely aware of the need to balance aggression with precision on this demanding circuit.

The championship picture adds another layer of intrigue to their preparations. For Deletraz, the focus is squarely on race wins rather than the drivers’ championship, which he believes is out of reach after a rocky start to the season. “We’re too far to catch up,” he admitted, but he remains committed to helping his teammates in the No. 10 Cadillac or other Cadillac entries if they have a shot at the title. Blomqvist echoed a similar sentiment, noting that while the drivers’ championship is “realistically gone,” Acura’s pursuit of the manufacturers’ championship remains a priority. With two wins already under their belt, Meyer Shank Racing is determined to keep the pressure on, leveraging Road America’s suitability to their car to close the gap.

A significant shift awaits both drivers in 2026, when Road America transitions to a six-hour endurance race. This change will demand a different approach, as Deletraz explained: “In sprint races, you need to run at the front… In an endurance race, you want to survive, cycle through the first three hours, and then get to the front.” He’s excited about the prospect, noting that Road America’s layout is well-suited for multi-class traffic over longer distances. Blomqvist shares this enthusiasm, calling the move “awesome” and praising the track’s suitability for endurance racing. He highlighted the strategic flexibility of longer races, where qualifying is less critical, and teams can position themselves for the final hours—a dynamic both drivers are eager to embrace.

Adapting to different machinery is another challenge both drivers handle with aplomb. Deletraz, who juggles GTP and LMP2 racing, sees it as an advantage. “You arrive to the next event just warmed up,” he said, noting that the transition takes just a few laps to recalibrate. Blomqvist, fresh off an LMP2 outing at CTMP, agrees, describing the initial adjustment as minor once familiar with both cars. “It’s not too difficult now,” he said, praising the LMP2’s nimble handling and high downforce. For both, the variety hones their skills, keeping them sharp and adaptable—a critical edge in IMSA’s diverse field.

For Blomqvist, returning to Meyer Shank Racing after a year in IndyCar has been a process of refamiliarization, but one he’s navigated smoothly. The team’s expansion to two cars and integration with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has presented challenges, but Blomqvist is encouraged by their progress. “We’re getting better each weekend,” he said, optimistic about their trajectory. Deletraz, too, is buoyed by Wayne Taylor Racing’s growing mastery of the Cadillac, with each race yielding valuable lessons. As Road America approaches, both drivers are poised to harness their teams’ momentum, their personal adaptability, and the track’s unique demands to chase glory in what promises to be a thrilling chapter of the 2025 IMSA season.

The energy management challenge, particularly at Road America’s uphill finish, adds a final layer of complexity. Blomqvist recalled the tight energy margins at Watkins Glen, but he’s confident the team’s engineers have accounted for the additional energy needed to crest Road America’s front straight. “The guys behind the computers are on top of all that stuff,” he assured. With both drivers and their teams finely tuned and ready to tackle the high-speed ballet of Road America, fans can expect a fiercely contested race where strategy, skill, and raw speed will determine who stands atop the podium.

[ht: Transcript By Tony DiZinno - IMSA Communications]

FULL ZOOM Call Interview Here >>>

The Motul SportsCar Grand Prix at Road America, set for July 31–August 3, 2025, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, promises high-speed racing action. The 2-hour, 40-minute race streams live on Peacock starting at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT) on Sunday, August 3. 

Live Streaming:  

Race: Peacock (U.S.) at 2:00 p.m. ET; IMSA.tv and IMSA’s YouTube channel (global)  

Qualifying: Saturday, August 2, 5:35 p.m. ET on Peacock (U.S.), IMSA.tv, and IMSA’s YouTube (global)

IMSA Radio: Live on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com for select sessions; SiriusXM (XM 206, Web/App 996) race coverage starts Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET

Circuit: 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course

Classes: GTP, LMP2, GTD PRO, GTD

Race Duration: 2 hours, 40 minutes

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: IMSA, Road America, Louis Deletraz, Tom Blomqvist, Cadillac, Acura, GTP, sprint race, endurance, sportscar racing, The EDJE

Acura ARX-05 DPi IMSA Cars Roll Into Detroit With Momentum

Wayne Taylor Racing No. 10 Acura ARX-05 DPi Class car shared by Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque.
Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

Acura ARX-05 DPi IMSA Cars Roll Into Detroit With Momentum

At the halfway point of the final Daytona Prototype international (DPi) season, Acura has begun to flex some muscle with back-to-back 1-2 finishes. Don’t let that fool you. Recent history and drivers involved remind us there’s a long way to go.

The Acura ARX-05 DPis fielded by Wayne Taylor Racing and Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian are coming off a pair of road courses – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – that favor their design. The No. 10 WTR Acura won both races to take the class lead in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The No. 60 MSR Acura finished second both times and sits second in the DPi standings.

“I feel like in the past few years the parity of the cars has really suited certain places more than others,” said Ricky Taylor, co-driver of the No. 10 with Filipe Albuquerque. “For the Acura, it’s Laguna, Mid-Ohio, Road America – those sorts of places where we really need to do our job and get the most points possible.”

“Once we go to Detroit, we expect it to swing back the other way.”

ZOOM Call Press Conference featuring DPi Class competitor Renger van der Zande, co-driver of the 

No. 01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R & GTD Class competitor Roman De Angelis, co-driver of the 

No. 27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3

DPi Class competitor Renger van der Zande, co-driver of the No. 01
Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R. Image Credit Edmund Jenks (2022)

GTD Class competitor Roman De Angelis, co-driver of the No. 27 

Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Image Credit Edmund Jenks (2022)

Therein lies the great equalizer. Bumpy tracks like the Raceway at Belle Isle street circuit favor the design of the Cadillacs. Detroit is up next on the calendar with the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic on June 4.

A glance at the 2022 standings at the midpoint shows all six fulltime entries still in the hunt with only 132 points separating the top five cars. 

The outlier could be the No. 01 Cadillac Racing entry, whose incredible pace has been outshone only by its incredibly bad fortune, leaving it 208 points back. 

As the co-driver of the No. 01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R, Renger van der Zande points out in the included ZOOM Call Press Conference,  that the key to IMSA's management in competition comes down to the Balance of Power (BoP) weight decisions applied to the racing platforms. 

“The last street track was in Long Beach and we did very well, especially Sebastien had a race that was amazing,” said the 36-year-old van der Zande. “I think we’re going confident into the second street race of the year. I think the Cadillac has always been doing well at Detroit. We, obviously, have a bit of a BoP hit with 15 kilos. The car is really on edge with the weight, so that 15 kilos might not sound like too much, but it is that little extra that has killed us in the past. That was at tracks like Road America. I don’t know how it’s going to hit us in Detroit…" 

The Netherlands based driver went on to point out that through this addition of weight, not only does this weight penalty effect the driving balance of the car, but that tire degradation goes up as well, causing the car to lose grip over a long stint. Hear more from both Renger van der Zande & Roman De Angelis about The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic from Belle Isle (ZOOM Call above) as this will be the last race held at this venue as next year, this Detroit Grand Prix will be moved to the streets within the city of Detroit.

“It’s actually simple,” Taylor explained. “The smoother the track and the higher the speed in the corners, the better it is (for the Acura). It comes down to just how low you can run the car. (With) the Cadillac, you can run it wherever you want (in ride height). The Acura, if it’s not just skimming the ground, it’s losing grip. When we go to a bumpy place like Detroit or Long Beach, which also have slow-speed corners, that’s where we suffer.”

History also shows that, even halfway through the schedule, teams seemingly downtrodden shouldn’t admit defeat. Last year, for instance, the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R was 157 points out of the championship lead after five races. Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani rallied to win the title by 11 points.

In 2020, Taylor and then-teammate Helio Castroneves were in sixth place at the halfway mark, the equivalent of 100 points out of first. They bounced back to win by the equivalent of 10 points under the current scoring system.

Also worth noting is that Cadillac finished better than Acura last year at three remaining tracks (Detroit, Road America and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta) on the schedule, with the jury out on the remaining two circuits. Acura outdid Cadillac at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in 2021, but Cadillac returned the favor a week later in the sprint race at Watkins Glen International. The WeatherTech Championship returns to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in July for the first time since 2019, when Acura got the better finish of the two manufacturers. But a year earlier, Cadillac won the race.

 Meyer Shank Racing No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Acura ARX-05 DPi Class car driven by Oliver Jarvis and Tom Blomqvist.
Image Credit: Brandon Day via FB/META (2022)

Which leaves Oliver Jarvis of the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura to echo the sentiment of all DPi drivers.

“It’s important that we capitalize on the tracks that do suit our car, we make the most of it and come away with maximum points,” he said. “We’re getting to halfway of the season and points you score here could be crucial for the championship at the end.”

The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic airs live from Detroit at 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday, June 4 on USA Network, Peacock and IMSA Radio.

[ht: IMSA]

For this last race at Detroit's Belle Isle park street course, IMSA will put on a race that will prove the DPi Class point/counterpoint that this posting seeks to bring to light. 

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic, USA Network, Peacock, IMSA Radio, Ricky Taylor, Oliver Jarvis, Filipe Albuquerque, Tom Blomqvist, Renger van der Zande, Roman De Angelis, The EDJE