Tag: TireRack Battle on the Bricks

Race Preview- IMSA Battle on the Bricks

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Sports cars return to IMS fo0r the third consecutive year as the IMSA Weather Tech Championship presents a six hour race on the road course. The3 first event in 2023 was a sprint race- 2 hours, 40 ,imutes in length. In 20924 and this year the race will be a six hour endurance affair. In 2026, the shorter version returns as the six hour race moves to Road America.

I am not upset about the change for next season. I think the 160 minute version works better on this track. I felt the six hour race was a bit too long for the IMS configuration. Endurance races just work better on natural road courses.

The race is the seventh of eight on the IMSA schedule for the series, and the fourth of five endurance events. In addition to the overall champion, an endurance champion is also crowned.

The weekend begins with a single IMSA Weather Tech practice tomorrow at 11:15 am Eastern time. Friday also features the first races for Porsche Carrera Cup and Lamborghini Super Trofeo Cup.

Team Penske Porsches have won four of the previous races. Car 7, driven by Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy, has won at Daytona, Sebring, and Long Beach. Car 6, with Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell sharing the3 cockpit, has a victory at Weather Tech raceway Laguna Seca.

The Acuras of Meyer Shank Racing each have won a race, the 93 winning at Detroit, and the 60 at Watkins Glen.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s BMW number 24 won the last race at Road America. The BMWs finished 1-2 in 2024 at IMS.

Campbell and Jaminet lead the standings with 2214 points, 75 points ahead of Nasr and Tandy.

In LMP2, Dane Cameron and P. J. Hyett in car 99 lead with 1,682 points.

GTD Pro leaders are Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims have 2,254 points in the number 3 Corvette. They have a 30 point lead over the number 81 Ferrari driven by Albert Costa.

Phillip Ellis and Russell Ward in the number 57 Mercedes lead the GTD category with 2,147 points, a 112 point advantage over Jack Hawksworth and Parker Thompson in the number 12 Lexus.

I look for the BMWs to do well again this weekend, but I would keep an eye on the Penske Porsches and the Acuras. All three teams have IndyCar ties.

‘Plan Ahead’ for Battle on the Bricks with IMS.com

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025) – Fans attending the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which features the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Michelin Pilot Challenge, are encouraged to “Plan Ahead” through IMS.com/PlanAhead, an interactive web page that serves as a home base for fans heading to the track this weekend.
The “Plan Ahead” page features detailed information about the entire fan experience at IMS, including directions, parking, schedule, gate regulations, digital ticket and parking guides, ADA accessibility and much more.All Speedway patrons should be aware of the following to ensure a successful day at the track:
Tickets: Tickets for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks are available for purchase at IMS.com
.Friday, Sept. 19: $20 for General Admission seating for the grandstands and infield viewing mounds. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Reserved seats in the Hulman Terrace Club, which include private club access, are $100.
Saturday, Sept. 20: $50 for General Admission seating for the grandstands and infield viewing mounds. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Reserved seats in the Hulman Terrace Club, which include private club access and gate admission, are $175.
Sunday, Sept. 21: $60 for General Admission seating for the grandstands and infield viewing mounds. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Reserved seats in the Hulman Terrace Club, which include private club access and gate admission, are $300.
Multiday tickets also are available for this event:Friday-Sunday General Admission: $120. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.Saturday-Sunday General Admission: $105. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
Friday-Sunday Hulman Terrace Club Reserved: $515. Includes private club access and gate admission.
Camping:A variety of overnight camping options are available for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks, including infield camping. Visit IMS.com for options.
Public Parking:Parking for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks is available in a variety of locations around the track. Parking can be purchased on site or in advance. Race fans can visit IMS.com to purchase available parking passes.Friday ParkingFree auto parking (including ADA) is available in the Hulman Lot off Georgetown Road. Availability is limited.
Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Main Gate for $10 and Gate 1 (Parcel B) for $25. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P for $10 and Gate 1 for $25. Motorcycle parking is free in Gate 1 (Parcel B).Saturday ParkingFree auto parking (including ADA) is available in Lot 6A and the Hulman Lot off Georgetown Road. Availability is limited.Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Main Gate for $20 and Gate 1 (Parcel B) for $50. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P for $20 and Gate 1 for $50. Motorcycle parking is free in Gate 1 (Parcel B).Sunday ParkingFree auto parking (including ADA) is available in Lot 6A and the Hulman Lot off Georgetown Road. Availability is limited.Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Main Gate for $20 and Gate 1 (Parcel B) for $75. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P for $20 and Gate 1 for $75. Paid motorcycle parking is $20 in Gate 1 (Parcel B).
Cashless Operations: IMS is a cashless facility for all ticketing, parking, concessions and retail purchases. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions.
Pedestrian Gate Entry: Gate hours: Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Public pedestrian gates open (all three days): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7SFans attending IMS for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks will pass through magnetometers as part of the gate entry process.
Weekend Street Parking: Three-hour parking on Main Street in Speedway, between 10th Street and 16th Street, will be monitored and enforced from Sept. 19-21 during the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.
Additional Resources and Information:
No coolers larger than 18 inches by 15 inches by 15 inches can be brought into the facility, which will be strictly enforced. Fans will be allowed to bring one cooler and one standard backpack or book bag per person.
Drivers can learn the locations of work zones and highway restrictions by calling INDOT’s TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or viewing an online map at 511.in.org or visiting @TrafficWise on X.
For more information regarding access to IMS, visit IMS.com. For additional information, follow on X the Indiana State Police @IndStatePolice, the Speedway Police Department @SpeedwayPD or listen to radio stations WFNI-FM 107.5/WFNI-AM 1070 or WIBC-FM 93.1.
The Speedway Police Department can be reached for non-emergency services by dialing 311 on a cell phone. The goal of 311 is to provide an easy-to-remember number for non-emergency services while freeing up 911 lines for timely emergency response.

IMSA Race Week at IMS- 53 Entries for Battle on the Bricks

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Sports cars take over the IMS road course this weekend for a six hour race on Sunday. While no current IndyCar drivers will participate, several former drivers from IndyCar and Indy Lights will take part.

Romain Grosjean will drive the number 63 Lamborghini in the GTP class, and Sebastien Bourdais is part of the team in the number 8 LMP2 entry.

Benjamin Pedersen drives the number 52 LMP2 car. Former American F1 driver Logan Sargent is one of his teammates.

Toby Sowery, who had a couple of IndyCar starts, is in the 04 LMP2 car, and Hunter McElrea drives the number 11 LMP2 entry.

Find the full entry list on the IMSA website Battle on the Bricks page. You will need to scroll down to race events.

https://www.imsa.com/events/2025-tirerack-com-battle-on-the-bricks/

The TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks is the penultimate event of the Weather Tech Sports Car Championship season. The final race is petit Lemans at Michelin Raceway near Atlanta on October 11.

Activity begins Thursday night with a Street Festival on Main Street in Speedway.

A new at track feature this year are pickleball courts. Four courts will be in the midway, and a fifth court will be in Pagoda Plaza. Corts are open from 9 am to 4 pm Friday and Saturday.

Team Penske Porsches have dominated the season to date, and there is no reason to doubt that they will have a good weekend at IMS.

This will be the final ye3ar for the race at its six hour length. In 2026, the race will return to the 2 hour, 40 minute sprint format. which I think better suits the facility.

I’ll be taking a look at each class this week, and i hear there may be some IndyCar news coming. I may have a thought or two about that.

Street Festival Sept. 18 in Speedway To Celebrate IMSA Endurance Race at IMS

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From IMS:

  INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025) – Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMSA will kick off the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks event weekend with the return of the IMSA Street Festival Thursday, Sept. 18 on Speedway’s Main Street.The family-friendly Street Festival will take place with free admission from 6-8 p.m. ET on Main Street in Speedway, just across the street from the Racing Capital of the World.

IMSA returns to IMS Sept. 19-21 with a six-hour endurance race on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course.

“The IMSA Street Festival celebrates the IMSA Tirerack.com Battle on the Bricks and allows fans an opportunity to get an up-close look at the cars, drivers and teams who will be competing during the six-hour endurance race to capture a win and kiss the bricks at IMS,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.

“Speedway’s Main Street is the perfect place to kick off a full weekend of on-track sports car action at IMS.”
Activities at the event include more than 20 IMSA race cars on display for photos from a variety of classes and three pit stop demonstrations featuring one of the Penske Porsche Motorsport GTP cars that will race at IMS.

More than 70 IMSA drivers, including drivers from the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, are expected to attend and participate in two autograph sessions. IMSA stars Matt Campbell, Tom Gamble, Mathieu Jaminet, Casper Stevenson, Dries Vanthoor and Philipp Eng also will interact with fans during a Q&A session, hosted by Chris Wilner, on the IMS Stage on Main Street.

The family-friendly fan zone also will be available for attendees of all ages with various activities, including music, caricatures, face painting, partner activations and more.

All four classes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will race Sept. 19-21 in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at IMS, with prototype and GT machinery competing at the same time. Other series competing include the Michelin Pilot Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Porsche Carrera Cup North America.

Visit IMS.com for more information or to buy tickets. 
 

2025 IMS Event Tickets On Sale Now at IMS.com, Ticket Office 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024) – Tickets for marquee events in 2025 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – including the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks – are on sale online at IMS.com and at the IMS Ticket Office.
The IMS Ticket Office is located on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 317-492-6700.
“After an unforgettable 2024, it’s now time to start looking forward to the 2025 schedule at IMS and welcoming fans back to the Racing Capital of the World for another racing season,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.
“Other than renewal, buying now provides the best available seats at the lowest prices we offer and is a perfect time for our fans to make plans to be part of the many great racing events at IMS in 2025.”
Tickets for the following 2025 events are on sale at IMS.com/tickets and the Ticket Office:
Sonsio Grand Prix: Saturday, May 10
Miller Lite Carb Day: Friday, May 23
Legends Day presented by Firestone: Saturday, May 24
109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge: Sunday, May 25
Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit: Sunday, May 25
Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational: Saturday, June 14-Sunday, June 15
NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250: Saturday, July 26
NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG: Sunday, July 27
IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks: Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21
Intercontinental GT Indianapolis 8 Hour: Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19
Customers also can purchase admission to practice, qualifications and the Indianapolis 500 public drivers’ meeting, as well as parking, camping, hospitality and public credentials (Bronze Badge, Silver Badge, garage passes, pit passes) for these events at IMS.com.
Fans also can purchase infield camping for the Sonsio Grand Prix, Brickyard Weekend and the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.
All products are on sale at their lowest remaining prices, with increases coming in 2025. The $4 per-ticket service fee will be waived on items purchased before Jan. 6.
Kids 15 and under will continue to be admitted free in general admission locations to all 2025 racing events at IMS when accompanied by an adult general admission ticketholder.
Miller Lite Carb Day and Coors Light Snake Pit concert lineups will be announced soon.
The Firestone Legends Day concert once again will be held at the Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park.
Performers and ticket sale information will be announced later
.Fans can apply to receive tickets for the 2025 Driven2SaveLives BC39. Dates for this event will be announced later. 

Battle on the Bricks: Rahal Win a Satisfying End to Difficult Week and Season

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Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing leftt it all behind them Sunday afternoon. The FBI investigation and wo years of zero podiums all vanished in a brilliant final 46 minutes with a 1-2 finish at IMS in the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. The team had a victory awarded them in 2023 after the winning car, ironically the number 6 Penske Porsche, was disqualified.

Philipp Eng, and Jesse Krohn, drove the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 to a 1.647-second victory over teammate No. 25 car shared by Connor DePhillippi and Nick Yelloly. Eng drove the final stint. He managed traffic beautifully to stay ahead of the 25, who backed off at the end to preserve the team sweep.

Completing the podium was No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 driven by Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet, the winner of last year’s event. A penalty set the te car back and it could not catch the BMWs.

Lined up for the start

LMP2

Steven Thomas, Mikkel Jensen and NTT Indycar Serie and INDY NXT by Firestone veteran Hunter McElrea won the LMP2 class by 26.049 seconds in the No. 11 TDS Racing prototype over the pole-sitting No. 52 Inter Europol by PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports machine driven by Nick Boulle, Jakub Smiechowski and Tom Dillmann.

GTD Pro

“Rexy,” the number. 77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R came back from its pole disqualification with a win by drivers Laurin Heinrich and Michael Christensen, 12.527 seconds ahead of number.64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang of Mike Rockenfeller and Harry Tincknell. Heinrich drove to the pole position, but a post qualifying penalty moved the Porsche to the back of the class on the grid.

GTD

Jan Heylen drove the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R to a win in the GTD class, with co-drivers Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer. Heylen finished 2.465 seconds ahead of the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 shared by Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher and Jake Walker.

The Race

The rain began about an hour into the race and took up most of the second hour and part of the third. By the halfway mark, the rain had stopped and the track dried. The GTP class did not disappoint, as usual.

There was a great battle between the 01 Cadillac of Sebastien Bourdais and the number 6 Porsche driven by Mathieu Jaminet. The pair exchanged the lead on track twice. Eight of the 11 GTP cars led at some point., with numerous on track passes for the lead.

Romain Grosjean had a great drive early in the Lamborghini entry, charging in to the lead. Its chance for the win ended because of a pit penalty for too many men over the wall. Later in the race the car retired after on track contact broke an axle.

The pole winning 01 Cadillac was clawing its way back into contention when a punctured tire put the car three laps down.

Notes

I thought Sunday’s race was better overall than the 2023 sprint race. There was more strategy and intrigue, and one car did not dominate the entire race.

I found the race compelling. It is rare for me to sit and watch an entire race of this length, but I was focused for the entire event.

I am not sure if attendance was up from last year, but I think this event has a lot of growth potential. I would like to see the start moved back a bit later with a twilight or just after dark finish.

It was nice seeing former Indycar/IndyNXT drivers Sebastien Bourdais, Gabby Chaves, Hunter McElrea, Matt Brabham, and ben Hanley, amnong others, race again.

Personal Bests– I set a new record of 42 hours at sports car races in 2024. I stayed awake for 38 of them.

Sunday concluded the longest racing season I have ever had. Thank you all for following along. I’m going to take a couple days off unless there is some breaking news, which I think is coming soon. I’ll be back with more this drivel before the end of the month.

IMSA Race Day

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SCHEDULE (All times local):

8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open

10:20-11:20 a.m.: Fan Grid Walk

11:40 a.m.-5:40 p.m.: TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Race (six hours)

TICKETS: $60 for General Admission seating for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult in General Admission grandstand seating locations and infield viewing mounds. Reserved seating is available for $304 in the Hulman Terrace Club.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7S.

PARKING: Main Gate Parking Alert – The Main Gate Lot is inaccessible due to the closure of Polco Street. A Main Gate parking pass will grant access to Lot 3 during the IMSA weekend. Please enter via 16th Street. Free parking, including ADA parking, is available in the Hulman Lot with limited availability. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and in Gate 1 Lot for $75. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and Gate 1 for $75. Motorcycle parking in Gate 1 can be purchased for $20.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.

Although this is the second year for the IMSA Weather Tech race at IMS, today’s race is a new event as the race expands to six hours instead of the 2 hour, 40 minute sprint race held in 2023.

Sebastien Bourdais won the pole yesterday afternoon in the Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac. Hi s time of 1:14.592 worn the top starting spot by 0.22 seconds over Louis Delatraz in the number 40 Wayne Taylor/Andretti car.

Pole winners in the other three classes:

LMP2: Nick Boulle No. 52 Inter Europol by PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports It is Boulle’s first pole in IMSA

GTD Pro: Nicky Catsburg No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette Z06.

GTD: Mikkel Grenier No. 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsports Mercedes AMG GT3.

The weather forecast calls for rain most of the day, It seems like rain ha followed me to major races all season, so this would be a fitting ending to my year. I will have a race wrapup tomorrow.

Saturday at IMS: IMSA Qualifying, Michelin Pilot Challenge Race

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Ther is a dense fog advisory this morning which may delay the start of action. Check the IMS app. Highs bear 90 degrees today. Find shade and hydrate.

All times Eastern:

7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open
8-8:15 a.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR Qualifying
8:20-8:35 a.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge GS Qualifying
8:55-10:25 a.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 2 (all classes)
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Autograph Session
11:10-11:50 a.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup North America Race 2 (40 mins.)
12:05-12:45 p.m.: Michelin Pilot Challenge Pre-Race Grid Walk
1:05-3:05 p.m.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 Race for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (two hours)
3:40-3:55 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTD Pro/GTD)
4:05-4:20 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (LMP2)
4:30-4:45 p.m.: WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTP
)5:10-6 p.m.: Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Race 2 (50 mins

.)TICKETS: $50 for General Admission seating for the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult in General Admission grandstand seating locations and infield viewing mounds. Reserved seating is available for $179 in the Hulman Terrace Club.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7S.

PARKING: Main Gate Parking Alert – The Main Gate Lot is inaccessible due to the closure of Polco Street. A Main Gate parking pass will grant access to Lot 3 during the IMSA weekend. Please enter via 16th Street. Free parking, including ADA parking, is available in the Hulman Lot with limited availability. Paid parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and in Gate 1 Lot for $50. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3 for $20 and Gate 1 for $50. Free motorcycle parking in Gate 1.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card. Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.

 

Porsche Leads Practice 1 at IMS

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Penske Entertainment Photo

Defending winner number 6 Penske Porsche led the way in today’s single practice for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. The Porsches dominated last year, locking out the front row and handily winning the race. Mathieu Jaminet had the quick lap of the day 2ith a time of 1:16.138.

The 01 Cadillac driven by Indianapolis 500 veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van de Zande ended second on the speed chart. The Cadillac led much of the 90 minute session, and the Porsche edged in front in the final minutes.,

The LMP2 class was paced by car 11 from TDS. Former IndyNXT driver Hunter McElrea is part of this team, joining Mikkel Jensen and Steven Thomas.

A GTD car, the 023 Ferrari, led the touring classes with Ricardo Agostini behind the wheel.

The fastest GTDPro was the Pfaff Mclaren, car 9, driven by Marvin Kirchhofer.

The day began warm but pleasant. A brief sprinkle just after the start of practice for the IMSA Weather teach championship didn’t slow down the action, but the humidity rose sharply.

Practice 2 is at 8:55 am Eastern time Saturday, with qualifying at 3:40 pm.

Notes

It was nice to see Sebastien Bourdais driving at IMS again. I truly miss his not being in IndyCar.

Marshall Pruett is reporting that Rinus VeeKay will not return to Ed Carpenter Racing in 2025. I will have more on this later this weekend. It is awfully late to find another seat.

Today’s crowd seemed smaller than the Friday crowd last year. I hope attendance picks up the next two days.

Results

Note- driver in Italics drove the fast lap for that team.