Want to get exclusive content and insider info? Subscribe to our newsletter

  • Support
    Contact Us Email
  • Wishlist
  • Account
  • Forgot Password?
Shopping Cart
Mazda Dominates In Watkins Glen For Breakthrough IMSA Victory
July 1, 2019

Mazda Dominates In Watkins Glen For Breakthrough IMSA Victory

July 1, 2019

Mazda Team Joest has won its first Daytona Prototype international race in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, with a dominating run that saw the Soul Red Crystal Mazda RT24-Ps finish first and second at the Sahlen’s Six Hours Of The Glen.

The No. 77 Mazda RT24-P started the race at Watkins Glen International from pole position after Oliver Jarvis set a new course record for the DPi class in Saturday’s qualifying session. Jarvis led from the start, and both the No. 77 Mazda RT24-P driven by Jarvis, Timo Bernhard and Tristan Nunez, as well as the No. 55 Mazda RT24-P driven by Harry Tincknell, Jonathan Bomarito and Olivier Pla led throughout the first five hours of the race.

However, a caution period in the final hour negated their advantage and put the Mazdas in second and third position behind an entry from Team Penske. Tincknell, driving the No. 55 Mazda RT24-P for the final two stints of the race, executed a pass for the lead in turn eight and immediately built a several-second gap. At the final round of pit stops, Mazda Team Joest was able to maintain Tincknell’s advantage and complete Jarvis’ service in time to jump him ahead of the Penske into second place.

When the checkered flag waved at the end of six hours of racing, Tincknell led Jarvis across the line by 0.353-second. Olivier Pla also recorded the fastest lap of the race, with a time of 1.29.657. The two Mazda RT24-Ps combined to lead 183 of 211 total laps at the Sahlen’s Six Hours Of The Glen.

The next round of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship is next weekend’s Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.