Corvette Racing Triumphs in Torrential Rain: Garcia and Sims Secure Podium at The Glen
Photo Credit: Richard Prince for Corvette Racing
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 23, 2024) – Under the gray skies of Watkins Glen International, Corvette Racing showcased their resilience and skill in a tumultuous six-hour enduro that saw Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims clinch third place in the GTD PRO category during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, from the esteemed collaboration between Corvette Racing and Pratt Miller Motorsports, fought its way back to the front amidst challenging weather conditions, marking their second podium finish of the season.
A Rollercoaster Race
The podium finish was hard-won. Early race troubles, specifically a debilitating brake change, saw the No. 3 Corvette tumble down the order. Yet, the team’s strategic prowess came to the fore as they navigated the chaotic weather conditions to push their way back up the field. Sims and Garcia's adept handling paired with the team's decisive pit strategies allowed the Corvette to close in on the leaders as the race unfolded.
Unfortunate Pit Stop for Milner and Catsburg
Meanwhile, the rain was less kind to the No. 4 Z06 GT3.R, piloted by Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg. Leading the GTD PRO class on the final lap, hopes for a victory were dashed by a last-minute fuel pit-stop, relegating them to a sixth-place finish. Milner and Catsburg’s frustrating turn of events contrasted sharply with the fortunes of their teammates in the No. 3 car, highlighting just how unpredictable motorsport can be.
Heavy Rain and High Stakes
The weather continually played a pivotal role, with no fewer than three substantial rain showers affecting the race dynamics. Early decisions to stick to dry tires catapulted the Corvettes up the standings before the downpours added additional layers of complexity. The massive downpour with under two hours remaining was particularly decisive, red-flagging the race and suspending the action due to standing water on the track.
Garcia’s quick thinking saw the No. 3, along with the No. 77 Porsche and No. 14 Lexus, duck into the pits for rain tires just in time, a move that paid dividends in the chaos that ensued. When racing resumed, the wet tires and strategic acumen proved crucial as the track conditions shifted, eventually leading to their podium finish.
AWA Team Faces Challenges
In the GTD class, the AWA’s No 13 Z06 GT3.R, driven by Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, and Lars Kern, experienced a turbulent race themselves. Despite pushing from deep in the pack to briefly join the top-five, they too were victims of the volatile weather, slipping off-track during one of the heavy downpours while running on slick tires and ultimately finishing 13th in class. Nonetheless, this result was enough to expand Fidani’s lead in the prestigious Bob Akin Award standings, which recognize the highest-scoring Bronze driver in GTD.
Staying the Course Despite Adversity
Three separate rain periods not only challenged the drivers but also the strategists behind them. Each period resulted in critical decisions that either catapulted or crippled their positions in the race. None embodied this more prominently than the last hour of the race, where the final pit strategies made by Milner and Garcia were polar opposites in their outcomes – a testament to how razor-thin the margins can be in professional racing.
Driver Reflections
Garcia reflected on their performance, stating, “It was an amazing job by Corvette Racing and Pratt Miller guys to change the brakes. They had the skills to almost keep us on the lead lap. It was scary at times, but every single strategy call was spot on.” Sims echoed these sentiments, adding, “Our race went south for a little while, but IMSA racing allows for comebacks, and we certainly did just that. It’s great to get our first podium with the No. 3 Corvette.”
Looking Forward
With eyes now set on the Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on July 14, the Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports team will hope to build on their current momentum, iron out any kinks from their Watkins Glen experience, and continue their pursuit of being atop the podium.
The race at The Glen may have been under shadowy, rain-soaked skies, but for Corvette Racing, it was a beacon of hope, an affirmation of their indomitable spirit, and a solid stepping stone toward future victories.