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Russell Ward Achieves Fourth Career IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Pole Position At Road America
Russell Ward's impressive pole position at Road America boosts Winward Racing's lead in the IMSA GT Daytona championship. Despite challenges during the race, the team maintains a significant points advantage with three races remaining.
Russell Ward's impressive pole-winning performance in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 on Saturday significantly boosted the team's 2025 IMSA GT Daytona (GTD) championship lead. Despite a challenging race at Road America on Sunday, this achievement helped maintain their advantage. Ward's fourth career pole and first of the season earned 35 crucial points, extending their lead to over 100 points with three races left.
Ward's qualifying lap time of 2:03.745 (117.764 mph) was the fastest among both GTD and GTD Pro classes, even though GTD cars start behind their all-pro counterparts in IMSA races. He led every lap during his stint in Sunday's 2-hour and 40-minute race, proving his pole position was well-deserved.
Arriving at Road America with a 93-point lead in the GTD team and driver standings, Winward Racing left Elkhart Lake with its first triple-digit championship lead since May. Their margin increased to 112 points, standing at 2,147 compared to their closest competitors' 2,035. Mercedes-AMG also leads the GTD manufacturer championship with 2,361 points, ahead by 154 points.
Philip Ellis took over driving duties for the final 90 minutes after an excellent pit stop by Winward Racing's crew. He quickly regained the lead but faced setbacks due to contact incidents with competitors and multiple caution periods. A penalty for incident responsibility further hindered their chances of securing a third win this year.
The next challenge for Winward Racing is the Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) from August 22 to 24. This event marks the final sprint and only all-GTD race of the season on the Southern Virginia road course spanning 3.27 miles.
Despite these challenges, Ellis managed a top-10 finish on the lead lap, earning more team and driver points by finishing ahead of their closest rivals. The No. 57 car led the GTD division with most laps led at Road America, pacing for 39 out of 62 laps.
Ward led for 23 laps while Ellis led for another 16 laps, making them the only duo in GTD to both lead during the race. Their teamwork and strategy have been pivotal in maintaining their strong position in the championship standings.
Their efforts have solidified Winward Racing's place as a formidable contender in this year's championship race, showcasing resilience and skill throughout each event.
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