New liveries on show
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s two retro-themed 963s were unboxed today, the #6 in its Porsche 917/30 colours, and the #7 which pays homage to the RS Spyder.
Also in the mix and looking even more spectacular in real life is BMW M Team WRT’s Spider-Man car, brought in to promote the new film Spider-Man: Brave New World.
And on a significant weekend for Pfaff Motorsports, the Canadian team has presented the last of its 2026 summer collection, a one-off livery highlighting its long-time sponsor Motul.
All of these new looks, and a visual reference for every car in the IMSA, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and Porsche Carrera Cup series, can be found on Andy Blackmore’s Spotter Guides.
Gradient Racing welcomes back Joey Hand
As teams have arrived at Road America for the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix, there are other changes to the entry list to note as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship begins on-track activities tomorrow.
Along with yesterday’s breaking story that Robert Wickens would make his first IMSA endurance race appearance for DXDT Racing, other teams in GTD have made last-minute changes.
This includes Gradient Racing, which welcomes back Ford Racing factory driver Joey Hand to drive the #66 Ford Mustang GT3 with Till Bechtolsheimer and Jake Walker Jnr. An injury sustained during karting prevented Hand from running in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, but the American driver has been cleared to race this weekend.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the race car with Gradient Racing, driving the Ford Mustang GT3 that I know and love so much,” said Hand. “I can’t think of a better place to make my return than Road America. It’s my favourite racetrack in the world, one of the greatest places to race, with incredible fans, great food and everything that makes Road America so special. I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and making something happen.
“I feel like we have something coming with this program. The team does all the right things so often, and it’s just a really fun program to be part of. I can’t wait to get back in the car and help deliver the great result this team deserves. I’d also like to thank Dr. Terry Trammell for all his help and advice in getting me back in the car as soon as possible.”
Van der Snel makes IMSA, LMP2 debut for Intersport
The LMP2 field welcomes Intersport Racing back after Jon Field and his team missed the most recent Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport).
Joining Field and Oliver Jarvis this time out is a new face in IMSA, Max van der Snel from the Netherlands. Van der Snel, who turns 23 on race day, will also make his LMP2 race debut after racing full-time in LMP3s since 2023. He is currently racing full-time in both the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
The crew of the #37 ORECA 07-Gibson will look to bounce back from a wretched weekend at Watkins Glen.
DeFrancesco, Yardley join RS1
Elsewhere on the GTD grid, RS1 has made more changes to the line-up of the #28 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which makes its fourth IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup appearance of 2026.
Team mainstay Jan Heylen will be joined by former IndyCar Series driver Devlin DeFrancesco and reigning Porsche Carrera Cup North America champion Ryan Yardley. DeFrancesco last raced in IMSA in 2024, driving for Forte Racing in the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds, and finishing second in GTD at that year’s Motul Petit Le Mans.
Yardley, meanwhile, makes his second start of the IMSA season, his first since the Rolex 24 At Daytona. As one of Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA)’s Selected Drivers, Yardley has also raced full-time in GT World Challenge America for Wright Motorsports.
Pit lane expanded
The pit lane here at Road America has been extended at the pit-in end in time for this weekend’s Endurance Cup event. This allows for more space to accommodate the teams and increase the size of the pre-grid area.
“This is such an incredible facility,” IMSA President John Doonan told DSC. “Every year you come, and they’ve updated it and invested. This area is all brand new, fully paved. They’ve expanded it all the way down, and we now have a bigger pre-grid area in time for this event. Before it was a single lane and grass, now it’s useful paddock space.”
Carrera Cup: Maxson takes Race 1 pole
Topp Racing drivers locked out the front row for Race 1 of Porsche Carrera Cup North America at Road America; Tyler Maxson in the #77 Porsche 911 Cup won the pole with a 2:07.587, putting him three-tenths clear of teammate Cole Kleck in the #78.
Aaron Jeansonne qualified third in the #24 Kellymoss Porsche, followed by Callum Hedge in the #9 JDX Racing car in fourth. Hedge was the fastest driver across the two practice sessions earlier today.
Reigning Masters class champion Scott Blind led his class in the #45 Ruckus Racing car, and Josh Conley (#29 Kellymoss) was the quickest of the two Pro-Am class competitors.
Images © Jack Webster / dailysportscar.com
