Showing posts with label endurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label endurance. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

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]


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

Monday, May 29, 2017

TAKU Outwits, Outlasts, Outplays To Win INDY500



TAKU Outwits, Outlasts, Outplays To Win INDY500 - His Second Verizon IndyCar Race

Andretti Autosport may actually be doing more for the Andretti name in racing than any single family-named driver can do. Talk about a legacy!

After winning the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, Andretti Autosport follows up this performance with Honda and former F1 driver Takuma Sato.

From L to R - JR Hildebrand, Fernando Alonso, and Takuma Sato in driver introductions for the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in front of instantly recognizable The Panasonic Pagoda. Takuma Sato, who was also sponsored by Panasonic, won one other race in addition to this great event that is starting its second millennia of history ... as stated by writer, photographer, and custom guitar creator Timo Hulett - the other race has often been described as "the INDY500 of street courses" and that race is the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach. If one is going to win just two races in an IndyCar career, why not make them the two most famed race events in American motor culture! Image Credit: Joe Skibinski via IndyCar (2017)

This excerpted and edited from Andretti Autosport -

TAKUMA SATO FINDS VICTORY IN INDIANAPOLIS
Tokyo-native Captures Second Career IndyCar Win at Indianapolis 500

Japanese driver Takuma Sato scored his second career Verizon IndyCar Series victory today when he saw the double checkers wave through the Indiana sky. 

Marking his 123nd career IndyCar start, the 40-year-old began today’s Indianapolis 500 from the 4th position and battled through 200 laps before driving his No. 26 Ruoff Home Mortgage Honda to victory lane. Today’s win is Sato’s first with Andretti Autosport after joining the team for the 2017 season. Sato earned his first victory on the Streets of Long Beach, Calif., in 2013

This [win] is the 56th Verizon IndyCar Series victory for Andretti Autosport. Since 2003, Andretti Autosport has scored four series titles (‘04/Kanaan, ‘05/Wheldon, ‘07/Franchitti and ‘12/Hunter-Reay) and five Indianapolis 500 wins (‘05/Wheldon, ‘07/Franchitti, ‘14/Hunter-Reay, ‘16/Rossi, and '17/Sato). 
----
It wasn't cool enough to have a California born and raised American rookie with European F1 racing experience win the "Greatest Spectacle In Racing" virtually his first time in the cockpit of an IndyCar Dallara ... let's follow this up with fielding enough cars to own the field.
----
Andretti Autosport has four full-time entries in the Verizon IndyCar Series, with Soto, [last year's winner] Alexander Rossi  (No. 98 NAPA AUTO PARTS / Curb  Honda), [third-generation Andretti] Marco Andretti (No. 27 United Fiber & Data Honda) and [2012 winner] Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 28 DHL Honda) and two  Indy 500-only drivers, [2-time F1 Champion] Fernando Alonso (No. 29 McLaren Honda Andretti) and [former member of McLaren-Honda's young driver program] Jack Harvey (No. 50 Michael Shank Racing with Andretti Autosport Honda).
[ht: Andretti Autosport]

Andretti Autosport's Suvivor program with four of the six cars fielded pictured here at IMS. Eventual winner Takuma Sato, followed closely by  eventual P8 finisher Marco Andretti. In the background are the two early strong running cars of two-time F1 Champion and INDY rookie Fernando Alonso and IndyCar Champion and past INDY500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay - both cars expired with blown engines. Before Fernando Alonso's Honda engine blew up, he held the fastest average lap times of all drivers on the track. Image Credit: Mike Harding via IndyCar (2017)

Let's be clear, "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing" is the motorsports equivalent to the American television's reality series Survivor. This long-running and popular television episode contest pits people with all different backgrounds and experience out in a remote location and have them fend for themselves for food and compete for immunity in made-up games of skill and endurance.

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay!

This last season of Survivor that just finished was titled "Game Changers," and with the fact that Andretti Autosport has won the INDY500 three out of the last four years, one may say that this Verizon IndyCar Series team, when it comes to the Indianapolis 500, are the game changers.

Andretti Autosport has found a way to stack the deck, or flood the zone ... as it were, in its focus to create interest and plan to win the Indianapolis 500. As 54 year-old team-owner, and second-generation Andretti family race car driver, Michael Andretti said in a recent pre-race interview with Paul Reinhard, we are going to field "six really good bullets in the gun" for the Memorial Day Classic.

Game Changer Survivor Michael Andretti shares the common winning moment in victory lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his surviving winning driver Takuma Sato. Image Credit: Chris Owens via IndyCar (2017)

This excerpted and edited from Associated Press via Orange County Register -

Michael Andretti hoping his Indy 500 six-pack leads to victory lane
AP - OC Register - May 24, 2017

Michael Andretti’s busiest month could turn into his best Indianapolis show.

He has four cars in the front three rows of Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Two of those drivers – the defending race champion, Alexander Rossi, and this year’s highest-profile rookie, Fernando Alonso – avoided getting sidetracked by sideshows.

Andretti’s son, Marco, thrived despite taking on extra coaching duties this May. Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 champion, posted the fastest qualifying average outside the nine-car pole shootout, and Japan’s Takuma Sato proved he could be a contender. On Monday, rookie Jack Harvey moved up the speed chart, too.

If these guys produce all the right numbers this weekend, Andretti Autosport will have the best six-pack of racers in 500 history.

“It’s been good because of the data we’ve been able to share and pass on, not only for someone like Marco or Ryan, but it’s been good for all the guys,” Michael Andretti said.

The six Andretti cars in the 33-car starting grid are the most by one team since Andy Evans started seven in 1996 with Team Scandia. 
----
“People are a huge problem because everyone in Indianapolis has a job right now,” said Michael Shank, co-owner of Harvey’s No. 50 car. “I have 22 to 25 guys in my shop, so it was only natural we could do it.”
----
Andretti, with an assist from Shank and Bryan Herta, the co-owner of Alexander Rossi’s No. 98 car, didn’t have to be too patient: From the moment the cars rolled onto the 2.5-mile oval, they were already fast.

Marco Andretti finished the first day atop the speed chart. He’ll start eighth Sunday, the middle of Row 3.

Hunter-Reay produced top-five laps in practice each of the first four days he turned laps and qualified 10th, the inside of Row 4.

Rossi and Sato, both former Formula One drivers, helped the two-time F1 champ make a quick transition from the familiar high-tech, road-course cars to the even faster cars on unfamiliar ovals. Rossi is starting from the third spot on the front row. Sato and Alonso qualified in the second row and will start fourth and fifth.

“From all the comments that arrived to me, the comments from them are very, very useful because they know how one car behaves and how the other car behaves and what they needed when they came here,” said Alonso, the Spaniard whose 500 debut has attracted wide attention. “I probably experienced more or less the same journey as them.”
----
For now, though, Andretti and his six drivers are focused on one goal: Topping Sunday afternoon with a drive through victory lane.

“It is a big challenge for our team,” Andretti said. “There’s a lot, a lot of hours that go into organizing something like this and making it all happen and we’ve got to get it right.”
[Reference Here]

The finishing order of the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil as shown on the iconic front straight information and scoring pylon. The championship points race heated up a bit with this double-points paying event as Helio Castroneves took over the season points lead by finishing in P2, Takuma Sato moved into third  by winning, and Ed Jones who as a rookie at the INDY500 moved to ninth in Verizon IndyCar Series 2017 season championship points. Image Credit: Shawn Gritzmacher via IndyCar (2017)

As we all witnessed in the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, Andretti Autosport had all of the right moves, even when two of his pack-leading six Honda cars expired with engine issues, Michael Andretti's team Outwited, Outlasted, Outplayed all 33 cars entered in the field when TAKU crossed the "yard of bricks" finish line first ahead of Penske Racing's 3-time INDY500 winner Helio Castroneves by .2011 seconds to win this annual endurance game of motorsports Survivor!

101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil: SURVIVOR BOX SCORE

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: Takuma Sato, 101st Indianapolis 500, Outwit, Outlast, Outplay, Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport, endurance, entries, experience, honda, racing, Alonso, Rossi, Verizon IndyCar Series, Survivor, winner, The EDJE