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In a compelling display of prowess, Aston Martin emerged as the frontrunner in both the Hypercar and LMGT3 divisions during the Free Practice 2 session of the Lone Star Le Mans event. The World Endurance Championship contenders navigated the challenging Austin circuit under partly cloudy skies and soaring temperatures, where track surface readings climbed above 40°C, setting the stage for an intense competition. This session, crucial for fine-tuning setups, delivered unexpected results and an early interruption, underscoring the demanding nature of the COTA track.

Aston Martin Shines in Austin's Challenging Conditions

On September 4, 2026, at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Free Practice 2 session witnessed Aston Martin’s commanding performance. Harry Tincknell, piloting the No. 007 Aston Martin Valkyrie, which he shares with co-driver Tom Gamble, recorded an exceptional lap time of 1m52.567s in the Hypercar class. This impressive feat placed them 0.122 seconds ahead of the No. 35 Alpine, firmly establishing their lead. The session was not without drama, as the No. 17 Genesis, driven by Mathys Jaubert, experienced an early spin at Turn 2 due to cold tires, prompting a brief red flag period.

Following closely behind, the No. 36 Alpine secured fourth place, trailing Tincknell's time by 0.287 seconds. The Ferrari teams demonstrated remarkable consistency, with the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari claiming fifth, narrowly ahead of the factory No. 50 and No. 51 499Ps. The sister No. 009 Aston Martin secured eighth position, while both BMW entries completed the top ten. The Jota Cadillac teams finished 11th and 16th, with Toyota focusing on race setup, ending up 12th and 15th. Peugeot, meanwhile, found itself over a second off the leading pace, ranking 14th and 17th.

In the LMGT3 category, Aston Martin continued its dominant run. Zach Robichon, at the wheel of the Heart of Racing Team's Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, clinched the fastest time in the final moments of the session with a 2m05.609s lap. His performance outpaced the two Iron Lynx Mercedes entries by more than 0.4 seconds. The Garage 59 McLarens also showed strong form, breaking into the top five, followed by the No. 92 Manthey Porsche and No. 78 Lexus ASP. Other notable teams, including the No. 54 AF Corse Ferrari, No. 91 Manthey Porsche, and No. 87 Lexus ASP, finished within one second of Robichon’s benchmark. Teams such as TF Sport Corvettes, WRT BMWs, and Proton Competition Fords concluded the session further down the standings, indicating a diverse competitive field as they prepare for Saturday's 60-minute Free Practice 3 session, followed by qualifying and Hyperpole.

The stellar performance by Aston Martin in both classes at the WEC Austin FP2 highlights the importance of precise engineering, skilled driving, and strategic preparation in endurance racing. Despite the challenging environmental conditions and an early track incident, the teams demonstrated resilience and adaptability. This session serves as a crucial benchmark, underscoring the tight competition and the critical need for every team to extract maximum performance from their vehicles. It also offers a glimpse into the strategic battles that will unfold, as teams continue to fine-tune their approaches for qualifying and the main race.

Legacy Motor Club is poised for a significant expansion in the NASCAR Cup Series, shifting to a full three-car team. This strategic move, which sees Riley Herbst taking the wheel of the No. 84 entry, was recently detailed by team co-owner Jimmie Johnson. He explained that operating a partial schedule had proven counterproductive for the team's ambitions.

Legacy Motor Club Elevates its NASCAR Presence with Third Full-Time Entry

In a pivotal announcement for the NASCAR Cup Series, Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by racing legend Jimmie Johnson, has confirmed its transition to a full-time three-car operation starting in the 2027 season. This expansion includes the addition of Riley Herbst, currently a 23XI Racing driver, who will compete in the No. 84 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE. Johnson, speaking on 'Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour,' articulated that the decision to commit to a full-time third car was driven by the challenges associated with a limited schedule, which he felt was hindering the team's progress and resource optimization. He noted that his own experience with a partial nine-race schedule in his inaugural year with Legacy highlighted the inefficiencies and resource drain. The club's vision extends to becoming an elite contender for championships within five years, a goal that necessitates maximizing their car count for improved data acquisition, enhanced vehicle development, and overall competitive advantage. This strategic growth will also entail a substantial increase in personnel, from approximately 150 to 200 employees, and the establishment of a new facility to support the expanded operations. Furthermore, the team has successfully attracted new investors, signaling robust financial backing for their ambitious plans. Herbst will join the No. 42 and No. 43 cars, currently driven by John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, respectively. With Nemechek's departure anticipated at the close of the 2026 season, Josh Berry is reportedly a leading candidate to fill that seat, further solidifying Legacy Motor Club's competitive lineup for the future.

This strategic shift by Legacy Motor Club represents a forward-thinking approach in the highly competitive world of NASCAR. Johnson's insights reveal a commitment to long-term success through meticulous planning and resource allocation. The move from a part-time to a full-time third car underscores the importance of consistency and comprehensive engagement in motorsport. It's a testament to the belief that sustained presence and investment in talent and infrastructure are key to ascending to elite status. For aspiring teams and drivers, this decision highlights the critical balance between ambition and the practical steps required to achieve it, emphasizing that growth often demands calculated risks and significant investment.