LMP2 category headlines in Canada for the IMSA Chevrolet Grand Prix

Following two free practice sessions, the first being on Friday followed by a Saturday mornings second session, Saturday’s intense qualifying session saw Phil Fayer of the No.2 LMP2 and Daniel Goldburg of the No.22 sister LMP2 contest for pole position around the 2.459-mile circuit. Closing what was an extremely tight 15-minute qualifying session with the top four cars covered by less than four-tenths of a second, Fayer of the No.2 qualified P6 whilst Goldburg would join the grid for Sunday’s race P4 in the blue and red No. 22. Following a post-qualifying technical inspection, which saw AO Racing’s No.99 LMP2 better known as ‘Spike’, disqualified from the session for a technical infringement meant that both the United Autosports USA cars would be promoted to P5 and P3 respectively, which would help manage the multi-class traffic in the opening laps of the 2-hour 40-minute sprint race.

The green flag launched, where the LMP2s fought cleanly at the top of the order, with Goldburg at the helm who started the race, who would need to achieve his minimum drive time of one hour, stayed deeply embedded in the lead group alongside championship contenders from Inter Europol and CrowdStrike Racing. The race’s critical strategic moments unfolded around two vital full-course yellow flags. The second caution, triggered by an incident in the Turn 8 Esses, completely reshuffled the pit strategy across the entire paddock. With Goldburg finishing his stint, United Autosports’ European Le Mans Series (ELMS) driver, Ben Hanley took to the wheel after a slower than usual driver change, due to one of the safety belts getting caught which lost the team significant time whilst the issue was resolved. However, Hanley took to the track continuing the momentum Goldburg had started showing consistent pace and resilience, making multiple passes to recover P5.

In the No.2, Canadian Phil Fayer started his home race showing exceptional pace and race craft, running between P4 & P5 for his entire stint, setting lap times matching the race leaders. Following one of the most impressive stints of the season so far, Fayer handed the #2 car to McLaren Hypercar driver Mikkel Jensen to close out the race, with both cars still running in the top four. Regrettably, during Jensen’s opening laps, there were reports of power steering issues coming from the cockpit, which subsequently resulted in the Dane hitting the wall at turn-eight on lap 63 – around the halfway point. The No.2 sustained fairly significant damage, meaning the car was taken behind the wall for repairs. The United team got to work and we’re quick to react to get the car back on track, knowing that a podium was out of sight, but to continue and secure as many vital championship points as possible. 

“A big thank you to the entire United Autosports USA crew, that was a lot of fun.’ Said No.2 driver, Phil Fayer. “It was really unfortunate with the incident and sometimes, these things can’t be avoided, but hey, that’s racing – we’ll get it done at Road America in a few weeks’ time.”

United Autosports USA battled wheel-to-wheel through heavy GTD traffic right down to the final checkered flag with Fayer & Jensen crossing the line P9 and Goldburg & Hanley P5.

“Mosport is always a tough event, and it is so difficult around here to overtake. Being one of the two sprint races on the IMSA schedule it is also difficult to recover if you are hit with even the smallest issues.” Said Richard Dean, CEO & Team Principal of United Autosports. The crew worked very hard in the heat here, and our drivers fought valiantly against an incredibly tough field. We gather the data, take the points, and we stay fully in contention, so I am looking forward to the next round at Road America where we took our maiden victory in IMSA.”

The IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship continues at Wisconsin’s Road America, a firm favourite of spectators between 31^st July – 2^nd August.