Race Weekend Central

Kamui Kobayashi Wins 24 Hours of Le Mans Pole

Kamui Kobayashi on pit road at Watkins Glen International, 6/26/2021 (Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

Toyota GAZOO Racing’s Kamui Kobayashi took very little time to assume control in Hyperpole qualifying Thursday (Aug. 19).  On his first lap at speed, Kobayashi set a lap at 149.526 mph to win the overall pole for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. With everyone in the Hypercar class running on low fuel and …

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Kamui Kobayashi Quickest In Le Mans Early Qualifying

2021 Le Mans Wec Kamui Kobayashi Car Gabi Tomescu Adrenal Media

(Photo: Gabi Tomescu/AdrenalMedia.com)

Toyota GAZOO Racing’s Kamui Kobayashi was fastest overall in the opening round of qualifying Wednesday (Aug. 18) for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.  Kobayashi’s lap of 147.801 mph was three seconds faster than any lap set in the opening practice session and more than a second faster than the quickest lap during the …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: The Curbs Ruin NBC’s Day In Indianapolis

Kyle Busch races in the NASCAR Cup Sereies at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

In recent years, races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been a mixed affair. The Indianapolis 500 has generally been very competitive in recent years.  I’ve enjoyed the races, recent television coverage from NBC and I think most race fans would agree. For NASCAR, it’s been a downward trajectory since the repave in 2008. The 2008 …

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IMSA Launches Driver Diversity Initiative

2020 Daytona Iwsc Andy Lally Mark Kvamme Racing Phil Allaway

(Photo: Phil Allaway)

IMSA announced Tuesday (Aug. 10) that they have created the IMSA Diverse Driver Development scholarship program.  The goal is “promote and empower drivers from a variety of backgrounds to participate in IMSA-sanctioned series.” On paper, the goals are similar to NASCAR’s own Drive for Diversity, but it is set up differently.  Candidates are required to …

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Couch Potato Tuesday: A Look at Bob Jenkins’ Legacy

2017 Richmond Ii Nxs Pack Racing Sunset Nigel Kinrade Nkp

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade/NKP)

The original plan for this week’s column was to talk about NBCSN’s broadcast of Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen, and reflect on how the MVP coverage worked. I would have talked about how Mike Bagley integrated himself into the telecast from his post in the Esses. Maybe I would have touched upon yesterday’s INDYCAR …

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Action Express Racing Wins At Road America, Claims 2nd Straight Victory

Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani celebrate their victory in the Road Race Showcase at Road America, 8/8/2021 (Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

Action Express Racing’s Pipo Derani and Felipe Nasr took the lead with a little more than three minutes to go Sunday (Aug. 8) when Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian’s Dane Cameron was forced to pit for a splash of fuel.  From there, Nasr held on to win the Road Race Showcase at Road America. “The …

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Bill Auberlen, Dillon Machavern Win Road America 120 On Fuel Mileage

Dillon Machavern and Bill Auberlen celebrate their victory in the Road America 120, 8/7/2021 (Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

Turner Motorsport’s Bill Auberlen and Dillon Machavern were able to stretch their fuel the final 78 minutes all the way to the finish to win the Road America 120 Saturday (Aug. 7) in near darkness.  It is Machavern and Auberlen’s second win of 2021. “I can’t believe that we did it.  The fuel numbers were …

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Felipe Nasr Wins Road America Pole In Wet Conditions

Felipe Nasr during qualifying for the Road Race Showcase at Road America, 8/7/2021 (Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

After a dry practice session Saturday morning (Aug. 7), the skies opened up at Road America in time for qualifying.  Action Express Racing’s Felipe Nasr won the pole for Sunday’s Road Race Showcase with a lap at 113.922 mph.  Given the conditions, it was actually not the fastest lap of qualifying. For Nasr, the session …

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Dillon Machavern Earns 2nd Pilot Challenge Pole of 2021 At Road America

2021 Road America Impc Dillon Machavern Car Courtesy Of Imsa

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

Turner Motorsport’s Dillon Machavern won the pole Saturday morning (Aug. 7) for the Road America 120 with a lap at 106.459 mph.  It is his second pole of the 2021 season after he earned it at Watkins Glen last month. Most of the session ended up being a back and forth affair between Machavern and …

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IMSA Reveals 2022 Schedules, Changes

James French slicing through GT Daytona runners Don Yount and Rob Ferriol during the Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen, 6/27/2021 (Photo: Phil Allaway)

(Photo: Phil Allaway)

At Road America Friday evening (Aug. 6), IMSA held their annual State of the Series presentation.  Here, the series made a series of announcements pertaining to the upcoming year. WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: A Third Attempt To Race The 2020 Schedule IMSA officially released their 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule.  It ultimately looks a lot …

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Harry Tincknell Quickest in Lightning-Shortened Opening Road America Practice

Imsa Weathertech Sportscar Championship

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

Mazda Motorsports’ Harry Tincknell was fastest overall in an abbreviated practice session Friday (Aug. 6) held in changeable conditions at Road America.  Due to the wet conditions, Tincknell’s lap at 112.298 mph was nearly 20 seconds off of the expected pace had the session been held in the dry. IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship practice Friday …

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Jan Heylen, Kenny Murillo Fastest in Road America Pilot Challenge Practices

Ryan Hardwick practicing for the Road America 120, 8/6/2021 (Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

(Photo: Courtesy of IMSA)

Wright Motorsports’ Jan Heylen was fastest overall in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge practice Friday (Aug. 6) at Road America ahead of Saturday’s Road America 120.  Heylen’s quickest lap was at an average of 106.470 mph. Practice No. 1 In the first practice of the day, held at 8:45 a.m. local time, the track was very …

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