P1racenews AI automatic summary:
At the first IMSA SportsCar Championship race since announcing their split, BMW and Rahal played a Road America poker game to perfection to win. But Porsche came unstuck
The antepenultimate round of the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship was held at Road America on Sunday. The race, a quintessential American-style event lasting 160 minutes, featured five safety car periods, challenging teams to make strategic decisions.
BMW M Motorsport and Team RLL, who recently announced their split after this season, took a risk that paid off with a 1-2 finish. Porsche, on the other hand, lost its lead when Nick Tandy made contact with a Cadillac, costing them the win.
Despite finishing fifth and eleventh, Porsche Penske Motorsport remains at the top of the constructors’, teams’, and drivers’ rankings with two races left. The American racing style caught Porsche off guard, where Balance of Performance changes impact but not eliminate contenders.
Porsche was at a disadvantage with a heavier and less powerful car, resulting in an underwhelming qualifying performance. However, strategic fuel choices propelled them to the front until an incident with a Cadillac dashed their hopes of victory.
BMW capitalized on a bold strategy under the final yellow flag, securing a deserving win. Porsche looks ahead to the next race in Indianapolis, aiming for improved performance and competitiveness, especially in top speed. Jaminet and Campbell strengthened their lead in the drivers’ championship, setting the stage for a thrilling season finale.
