The 2026 IMSA SportsCar Championship season is underway, and after three practice runs at the Rolex 24, the racing landscape looks different than it did just a week ago. Some teams have emerged as potential frontrunners in both the GTP and GTD Pro classes.
Analyzing the GTP Class
To get a clearer picture, all lap times under 1 minute and 40 seconds were examined, and the average was calculated. Importantly, the rules haven’t changed since the pre-season test.
Looking at the combined results from all three practice sessions, here’s the order based on average lap times under 1:40:
1. MSR-Acura #60 – 1:37.530
2. AXR-Cadillac #31 – 1:37.812
3. Penske-Porsche #6 – 1:37.838
4. Penske-Porsche #7 – 1:37.848
5. WTR-Cadillac #10 – 1:38.012
6. WTR-Cadillac #40 – 1:38.031
7. MSR-Acura #93 – 1:38.065
8. WRT-BMW #24 – 1:38.163
9. JDC-Miller-Porsche #85 – 1:38.214
10. WRT-BMW #25 – 1:38.261
11. Thor-Aston-Martin #23 – 1:38.613
Acura’s Performance
The Meyer Shank Acura #60 appears to be the fastest car right now. But is Acura really the favorite to win?
Renger van der Zande, driving the #93 Acura, isn’t so sure. He thinks his team has a good car for qualifying, but he’s concerned about their race pace. He believes Cadillac and Porsche are in a better position for the long race.
Other teams are taking these claims with a grain of salt. Some suggest Acura might be downplaying their chances. One reason for Acura’s cautious view could be that both of their cars haven’t completed as many fast laps as some of their rivals.
Cadillac and Porsche
The Action Express Cadillac #31 performed well, finishing ahead of the factory Porsches in average lap time. The two Cadillac V-Series.R cars from Wayne Taylor Racing are also looking strong.
BMW’s Challenges
BMW faces some challenges. The WRT team’s debut hasn’t been smooth, with drivers struggling to find the right setup. However, they made some progress in the final practice session, giving them a bit of hope.
Vincent Vosse, WRT team boss, is asking for patience. He points out that his team is new to the IMSA series and needs time to learn and improve. He emphasizes that they need the right combination of elements to succeed.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin hasn’t shown significant improvement since the pre-season test.
Improvements Since the “Roar”
Here’s a look at how much the teams have improved their lap times compared to the pre-season test:
1. MSR-Acura #60 – 1.004 seconds faster
2. AXR-Cadillac #31 – 0.850
3. MSR-Acura #93 – 0.558
4. WRT-BMW #25 – 0.461
5. WTR-Cadillac #40 – 0.446
6. WTR-Cadillac #10 – 0.441
7. Penske-Porsche #6 – 0.353
8. WRT-BMW #24 – 0.329
9. Thor-Aston Martin #23 – 0.317
10. JDC-Miller-Porsche #85 – 0.253
11. Penske-Porsche #7 – 0.247
On average, the GTP cars are about four-tenths of a second faster than they were at the “Roar.” Acura has made the biggest gains, while Aston Martin and Porsche have improved the least.
New Tires and Weather
Two factors could play a big role in the race: the new Michelin tires and the weather.
The new tires are designed to warm up quickly and last longer. The weather forecast predicts high temperatures, which could affect tire choice.
The warmer temperatures may limit the use of softer tires to only a short period during the night. This could be a disadvantage for teams like Acura, who tend to put more stress on their tires.
