No Letting Up at Indy as Team WRT Takes First IMSA GTP Win

When the Battle on the Bricks came down to its final laps, there was still plenty of fight left.

Across Indianapolis Motor Speedway, battles for position continued to the checkered flag. None was bigger than the fight for the overall victory, where Sheldon van der Linde chased down Earl Bamber before making the winning move with less than six minutes remaining.

For the BMW M Team WRT driver, having consistent performance from his Michelin tires gave him something he could rely on when it mattered most.

“The tire deg this weekend was generally low because we were on the hard compound tires, so I didn’t really feel any degradation,” said van der Linde. “Super reliable tire, no issues throughout. We were able to rely on it.”

That consistency helped set up a dramatic finish. Van der Linde closed on Bamber’s No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R through GT traffic before taking the lead entering Turn 12.

He went on to deliver the Belgian squad its first IMSA victory.

“I had goosebumps when I passed Earl for the lead,” said the South African. “With three laps to go, which is normally not ideal, it’s hard to stay composed in those moments. But when you wait this long for a win like this, it feels ever so special.”

The close racing extended beyond the overall lead.

In GTD Pro, Dennis Olsen held off Nicky Catsburg by less than a second to take the class victory in the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO.

GTD produced another fight to the finish, with Robby Foley keeping Philip Ellis behind to win by just over half a second.

Source: Sports Car 365