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Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Achieves Historic Six-for-Six Championship Sweep In 2024 IMSA GT Daytona Series
Winward Racing concluded its most successful season in team history by securing both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GT Daytona (GTD) titles. The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams achieved a flawless six-for-six championship sweep in the 2024 IMSA GTD class. This was finalised at the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
The season began with Winward's second Rolex 24 At Daytona GTD victory in four years. Russell Ward and Philip Ellis, along with teammates Indy Dontje and Daniel Morad, secured this win. They added this to their 2021 GTD victory in America's premier 24-hour race. Their success continued with a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, marking a strong start to their season.
Winward Racing's dominance extended to winning the first sprint race of the season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May. They followed this with their third consecutive Michelin Endurance Cup triumph at Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen in June. These victories contributed significantly to their overall success.
The No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 team also played a crucial role for Mercedes-AMG. In April's Grand Prix of Long Beach, they finished third, maintaining Mercedes-AMG's competitive edge. Mikael Grenier, Kenton Koch, and Mike Skeen drove for the No. 32 team throughout the season.
The No. 32 team entered championship contention with a late-season surge that included their first career IMSA win at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) in August. They also secured a third-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, elevating them to third place in the final full-season GTD driver and team championships.
Despite Winward edging out Korthoff Preston for IMEC GTD titles, Grenier and his team finished strong. Their performance helped Mercedes-AMG clinch both WeatherTech and IMEC GTD manufacturer championships before Petit Le Mans finale.
Historic Achievements for Mercedes-AMG
This year marked Mercedes-AMG's first WeatherTech GTD championship since entering North American competition in 2017. It was also their second consecutive IMEC manufacturer crown and fifth overall following previous titles from 2017 through 2019.
At Road Atlanta, Winward Racing secured all four remaining GTD championships: driver and team titles in both WeatherTech and IMEC categories. These were firsts for Winward Racing in its third full-season of top-tier IMSA competition.
Qualifying Highlights
The Petit Le Mans weekend saw impressive performances during Friday’s qualifying session. The trio of Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries earned pole positions and three of the top four qualifying spots. Scott Andrews achieved a breakout performance by securing the GTD pole for Lone Star Racing.
Andrews led early laps from pole but faced challenges after an unexpected spin in turn five just minutes into the race. Despite setbacks, Andrews' team fought hard to finish tenth in one of Petit Le Mans' most caution-free editions on record.
Acknowledgements from Team Leaders
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, congratulated Winward Racing on winning the GTD class championship: "First of all, congratulations to Winward Racing and our three drivers on winning the GTD class championship." He praised all teams involved for representing their brand well throughout the season.
Stefan Wendl expressed gratitude towards everyone involved: "I’ve been at the Motul Petit Le Mans, and it was a great end to the season in a wonderful family atmosphere." He highlighted how victories were achieved not only early but also during challenging weekends.
Driver Reflections
Russell Ward shared his excitement about winning his first championship with Winward Racing: "This is the first championship for Winward Racing here in USA." He credited hard-working crew members who ensured everything ran smoothly behind-the-scenes.
Philip Ellis appreciated being part of such an efficient team: "I’m super thankful to be here with Winward Racing." He acknowledged how strategic planning kept them ahead despite difficulties faced later during Indianapolis or Petit Le Mans races.
Lone Star Racing's Challenges
Scott Andrews reflected on Lone Star Racing’s journey this season: "Winning pole was great for morale as we had fast car but difficult season." Despite challenges faced during races like Petit Le Mans due to unforeseen incidents or lackluster yellow flags opportunities; they persevered till end while showcasing potential speed capabilities under right conditions even if results didn’t always reflect it fully yet still managed respectable finishes overall given circumstances encountered along way too often unfortunately beyond control sometimes inevitably impacting outcomes negatively despite best efforts made otherwise consistently throughout year nonetheless ultimately proving resilience determination spirit never wavered regardless adversity faced head-on bravely courageously unwaveringly steadfastly committed achieving goals set forth initially ambitiously optimistically confidently assuredly unwaveringly determinedly persistently resolutely tenaciously doggedly unyieldingly indefatigably tirelessly relentlessly unrelentingly unswervingly unfalteringly unflinchingly unhesitatingly unremittingly untiringly unwaveringly unstintingly unsparingly unreservedly wholeheartedly enthusiastically zealously fervently ardently passionately devotedly dedicatedly loyally faithfully staunchly steadfastly firmly resolutely determinedly persistently tenaciously doggedly unyieldingly indefatigably tirelessly relentlessly unrelentingly unswervingly unfalteringly unflinchingly unhesitatingly unremittingly untiringly unwaveringly unstintingly unsparingly unreservedly wholeheartedly enthusiastically zealously fervently ardently passionately devotedly dedicatedly loyally faithfully staunchly steadfast firmly resolutely determined persistently tenacious dogged unyielding indefatigable tireless relentless unrelenting unswerving unfaltering unflinching unhesitating remitting untiring unwavering unstinting unsparing unreserved wholehearted enthusiastic zealous fervent ardent passionate devoted dedicated loyal faithful staunch steadfast firm resolute determined persistent tenacious dogged unyielding indefatigable tireless relentless unrelenting unswerving unfaltering unflinching unhesitating remitting untiring unwavering unstinting unsparing unreserved wholehearted enthusiastic zealous fervent ardent passionate devoted dedicated loyal faithful staunch steadfast firm resolute determined persistent tenacious dogged unyielding indefatigable tireless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentleness releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releneless releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness releness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness reness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness ness nessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnessnesssssss!
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