ELKHART LAKE, Wis. - With schedule activity and IMSA’s future platform plans outlined on Friday, track activity at Road America took a backseat at the 4.014-mile permanent road course.
Ozz Negri in the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2 Honda set the fastest lap time of the day in the two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship practice sessions, with a best time of 1:55.747.
“We tried a couple of big changes. It just shows the strength of the Michael Shank Racing team,” Negri said. “We went on the right path and made the right changes. We just keep getting better and better. We’re fighters. I think the car is pretty good and has good potential. It’s only practice but it builds the confidence of the team and that’s what we need. I’m happy with the way it’s going.”
The No. 55 Mazda Prototype led the morning practice.
The No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT of Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller was fastest on the day in GTLM.
Times are below:
Meanwhile, Scott Maxwell took another Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge pole in the No. 15 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Shelby GT350R-C (GS), while Andy Lee won the ST class pole in the No. 22 Kris Wright Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Porsche Cayman.
“It feels really good today, because I didn’t expect it. We struggled the last few days, but we made some changes late, late before qualifying and the car was quite good. I drove a good lap. Some of my poles this year, I haven’t been overly pleased with my lap, but today I really, I think, maxed out the car and the car was really strong. It bodes well for tomorrow,” Maxwell said.
“The race isn’t over, obviously. Qualifying is just the first step, but it feels good. It puts us in a good place psychologically, but we know what we’re up against tomorrow and it’ll be a long 2 ½ hours for sure.”
Qualifying times are below: