IMSA reveals 54-car entry for Watkins Glen

IMSA has released the entry list for next Sunday's Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International. It’s a near-capacity 54-car field featuring all four classes for the first time since Sebring, where the LMP2 class resumes its season.

The regular 11 GTP competitors are highlighted by only two extra drivers in the mix. As confirmed last week, Laurin Heinrich will drive for JDC-Miller MotorSports at Watkins Glen, sharing the No. 5 Porsche 963 alongside Tijmen van der Helm and the returning Kaylen Frederick. And Kakunoshin Ohta will make his second – and final – start in the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06, paired with Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly.

LMP2 also has 11 entries. Through two races, United Autosports USA’s two cars sit first and third in the championship standings, led by the No. 22 ORECA 07-Gibson (Daniel Goldburg/Paul di Resta/Rasmus Lindh), with the Sebring-winning No. 2 ORECA (Phil Fayer/Mikkel Jensen/Hunter McElrea) sitting just 58 points behind the leader. In between, the No. 04 CrowdStrike Racing by APR (George Kurtz/Alex Quinn/Toby Sowery) ORECA trails by only three points after its win in Daytona.

The only driver change of note from Sebring is the return of veteran LMP2 specialist Mathias Beche to the No. 11 TDS Racing ORECA.

An expanded 12-car GTD Pro field is bolstered by a few Michelin Endurance Cup entrants – two Ferrari 296 GT3 EVOs from Risi Competizione and Triarsi Competizione, and Manthey’s No. 911 “Grello” Porsche 911 GT3 R which won in its last appearance at Sebring.

Owing to a date clash with the spa 24 Hours, Manthey will have Michael Christensen and Loek Hartog as the co-drivers to Klaus Bachler in the No. 911. Risi Competizione has called on Daniel Serra and Davide Rigon to drive its No. 62 Ferrari, while James Calado and Riccardo Agostini will drive the No. 033 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari.

And a 20-car GTD grid features the return of Magnus Racing for the first time since its hard-fought runner-up finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Magnus mainstays John Potter and Spencer Pumpelly will be back behind the wheel of the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, to be joined by Mario Farnbacher, who makes his first start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Farnbacher last drove for Magnus in 2021 at Daytona.

“It’s great to be back with everyone at Magnus Racing,” Farnbacher said earlier this week. “Our experience together in 2021 was a fun one, and I really appreciate being back in such a family atmosphere. The Aston Martin will hopefully be very competitive at Watkins Glen, just like it was the last time I drove it, but obviously it’s a new year and a new challenge. With John and Spencer we have great potential, we’ll see how the weekend goes.”

Driver changes to note include Richard Lietz replacing Morris Schuring in the No. 912 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche, Alec Udell replacing Lilou Wadoux in the No. 21 AF Corse USA Ferrari which won its class at Sebring, Jaxon Evans replacing Frederik Schandorff at Inception Racing, and Fran Rueda joining Conquest Racing’s Albert Costa and Lorenzo Patrese in the No. 34 car. Patrese comes back for another start for Conquest, while regular Manny Franco is unavailable for the foreseeable future due to scheduling conflicts.