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Experience the Thrill: Championship Showdowns and Emotional Departures at Road Atlanta!

The Fierce Battle for GTP Supremacy and Poignant Farewells from Top Teams

The premier Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) category features a strong roster of eleven cars, highlighting a gripping championship showdown. Jack Aitken, piloting the #31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R, faces a stern challenge from Laurin Heinrich, who returns to the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 for this decisive race. Beyond the title fight, this event signifies the end of an era for some, with Acura Meyer Shank Racing's GTP program making its final appearance in IMSA. Similarly, Chip Ganassi Racing, which departed in 2024, set a precedent for teams aiming to conclude their tenure with a win at Road Atlanta, a goal MSR and Acura now share.

Elite Drivers Return for the Michelin Endurance Cup's Grand Finale

As the ultimate race of the Michelin Endurance Cup, the GTP class welcomes back a host of accomplished endurance drivers. Among them, Matt Campbell will make his last start for Porsche Penske Motorsport, racing alongside Laurens Vanthoor. Cadillac Racing sees Frederik Vesti joining the #31 Whelen squad, while Will Stevens in the #10 and Colton Herta in the #40 lead the charge for Wayne Taylor Racing. BMW M Team WRT is bolstered by the return of Robin Frijns (#24) and Kevin Magnussen (#25). Acura MSR's team receives a significant boost from IndyCar stars Scott Dixon (#60) and Álex Palou (#93). Additionally, Alex Riberas will represent Aston Martin THOR Team, and Kaylen Frederick steps into the JDC-Miller MotorSports entry.

Intense Competition in GTD Pro: New Beginnings and Bittersweet Ends

The GTD Pro category, comprising fourteen competitive cars, showcases both seasoned drivers and significant team transitions. Pfaff Motorsports enters its final IMSA race with an outside chance at the championship, while Paul Miller Racing faces an uncertain future beyond 2026. Vasser Sullivan Racing is also marking the end of its successful run with the Lexus RC F GT3 platform in both GTD Pro and GTD, ahead of a strategic shift for 2027.

Key Driver Changes Ignite the GTD Pro Field

Several notable driver changes are set to influence the GTD Pro competition. DragonSpeed's #74 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R moves up from GTD for its final IMSA event, with Sébastien Bourdais behind the wheel. Mattia Drudi joins Car Blanche in the #68 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. Mathieu Jaminet, the 2025 IMSA GTP champion, will drive the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Manthey Porsche, replacing Ricardo Feller. Factory driver Benji Goethe makes his series debut for RLL Team McLaren in the #59 McLaren, and Dan Harper returns to Paul Miller Racing following their Rolex 24 victory. Endurance Cup regulars Triarsi Competizione (#033 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo) and Risi Competizione (#62 Ferrari) also rejoin the GTD Pro ranks for this climactic race.

LMP2 and GTD Classes Complete the Thrilling Racing Lineup

In the LMP2 class, an eleven-car field includes the return of Intersport Racing, with Jon Field, Oliver Jarvis, and Max van der Snel looking to overcome previous challenges in the #37. Era Motorsport's #18 ORECA welcomes back Naveen Rao, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Jacob Abel, fresh off a victory by teammates Nick Boulle and Christian Rasmussen at Indianapolis. The eighteen-car GTD class is enhanced by the re-entry of several Endurance Cup teams, including AF Corse, Triarsi Competizione (#023), RS1, Manthey 1st Phorm, Lone Star Racing, and Magnus Racing. Recent roster adjustments see Luca Stolz joining Lone Star Racing, Fran Rueda moving to Inception Racing, and Alec Udell filling an open seat at Conquest Racing. The green flag for the 29th Motul Petit Le Mans drops next Saturday morning, promising ten hours of multi-class racing action at Road Atlant

Winward Racing has officially confirmed its driver lineup for the 2027 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, announcing the retention of team co-owner Russell Ward and Mercedes-AMG factory driver Philip Ellis. This decision ensures complete continuity for the #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO squad for an impressive sixth consecutive year, highlighting the team's commitment to a proven and highly successful partnership. The announcement comes as Winward Racing currently leads the GTD standings, poised to contend for a remarkable third consecutive championship title at the upcoming Motul Petit Le Mans event.

The team's success story extends beyond the IMSA GTD program, with significant expansion and achievements in other racing categories. Winward Racing's European division has also made a name for itself, providing support for Max Verstappen's GT team and securing major international victories. This multi-faceted approach to racing, combined with their strong performance in IMSA, underscores Winward Racing's growing prominence in the global motorsport landscape.

Winward Racing's Continued Dominance in IMSA GTD

Winward Racing is set to maintain its highly successful partnership with Russell Ward and Philip Ellis for the 2027 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This will be their sixth year competing together in the #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. Since their debut in 2021, the duo has played a pivotal role in establishing the Texas-based team as a powerhouse in the GTD class, securing two championships and an impressive 15 race victories. These wins include three triumphs at the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona and two at the challenging Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, showcasing their consistent performance and ability to excel in endurance events.

The team's current position at the top of the GTD standings heading into the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans further emphasizes their sustained excellence. A victory at Road Atlanta would not only crown them champions for the third consecutive year but also make them the first team since Scuderia Corsa to achieve this feat, and the first ever to do so with the same driver lineup across all three championship seasons. This remarkable consistency and success highlight the strength of the Ward and Ellis partnership and Winward Racing's strategic stability.

Global Expansion and Championship Aspirations

Beyond its primary IMSA GTD commitments, Winward Racing has demonstrated significant growth and versatility by expanding its operations into other high-profile racing series. In the current year, the team successfully fielded a second Mercedes-AMG in the GTD Pro category at the Daytona and Sebring events, in addition to maintaining its presence in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. This expansion showcases the team's operational capabilities and its ambition to compete at the highest levels across multiple platforms.

Internationally, Winward Racing's European division has also flourished, establishing itself as a leading GT racing entity. Notably, it serves as the service provider for four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen's GT team in SRO competition. This collaboration has yielded significant results, including an overall victory at this year's grueling 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup title. With driver Maro Engel currently placed second in the DTM standings, Winward Racing's global footprint and competitive success continue to grow, solidifying its reputation as a formidable force in international motorsport.