In a thrilling display of speed and skill, the Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park witnessed a remarkable feat by Jeremy Clarke. Clarke, driving the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 Gibson, shattered a seven-year LMP2 track record, securing pole position with a best lap time of 1:07.904. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his racing career, showcasing his prowess in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Clarke's performance was a testament to his talent and determination, as he outpaced the No. 52 Bryan Herta Autosport with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca, driven by Misha Goikhberg, by a mere 0.173 seconds.
Clarke's dominance in qualifying extends beyond this event. He had already claimed pole position for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, further solidifying his status as a top contender in the series. Tomorrow's two-hour and 40-minute race will see Clarke sharing the driving duties with Tom Dillmann, a strategic move that could impact the outcome of the race. The team's preparation and strategy will be crucial in maintaining their lead and securing a victory.
The No. 99 AO Racing entry, driven by PJ Hyett, secured third place on the grid, despite Hyett's strong performance in the final moments of the qualifying session. The top-five was completed by the No. 22 United Autosports Oreca, driven by Daniel Goldburg and George Kurtz, and the No. 04 CrowdStrike by APR entry. The remaining LMP2 field featured a mix of experienced and up-and-coming drivers, including Phil Fayer, Chris Cumming, Tobi Lutke, and John Farano.
In the GTD Pro class, Neil Verhagen of Paul Miller Racing claimed his second consecutive CTMP class pole, showcasing his exceptional driving skills. Verhagen's BMW M4 GT3 EVO lap time of 1:14.382 was just 0.185 seconds faster than RLL Team McLaren's Max Esterson, who impressed in his CTMP debut. The No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports, driven by Alexander Sims, secured a front-row start, while Nicky Catsburg's sister Corvette took fourth place. Scott Andrews, making his GTD Pro class debut with YRB Racing, rounded out the top-five.
The GTD class pole honors went to Eduardo Barrichello of Heart of Racing, despite facing technical challenges. Barrichello's Aston Martin was parked for a significant portion of the session due to a technical penalty, but he still managed to secure the pole with a lap time of 1:15.130. This achievement marked the third GTD pole of the season for Heart of Racing, and it came on the heels of Barrichello's sub performance in the FIA World Endurance Championship race in Sao Paulo. Benjamin Pedersen, Russell Ward, and Danny Formal completed the top-five in class for Vasser Sullivan Lexus, Winward Racing, and Wayne Taylor Racing, respectively.
The Chevrolet Grand Prix is set to commence at 2 p.m. EST, with live coverage on Peacock and IMSA’s YouTube channel internationally. The qualifying results are available for reference, providing a detailed breakdown of the drivers' performances. As the race unfolds, fans can expect an exhilarating display of speed, strategy, and skill, with Clarke and Verhagen among the favorites to secure victory.
