The No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R of Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Fred Vesti claimed a dominant victory in Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, delivering Cadillac its first win at Watkins Glen since the DPi era in 2017 and extending Aitken’s GTP championship lead. The race ended under yellow after a late crash by Christopher Mies, with Aitken’s strategy and a final pit stop advantage sealing the win over Nick Yelloly’s Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06.
Jack Aitken’s Pole-to-Win Strategy and Cadillac’s Endurance Dominance
Jack Aitken’s pole-to-win performance at Watkins Glen was a masterclass in endurance racing strategy. After setting a new track record with a 1:31.284 qualifying lap—just 0.2 seconds ahead of Tom Blomqvist’s Acura—he maintained the lead through the first driver change, with Fred Vesti taking over during the second caution in the opening hour. The Cadillac’s endurance advantage became clear when Aitken’s team opted for a left-side-only tire change on his final stop, while Yelloly’s Acura team went for four fresh Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance tires. That decision cost Yelloly the lead, and Aitken stretched his margin to more than four seconds by the race’s end.
Race Drama and Near-Misses That Shaped the Outcome
The race wasn’t without drama. A massive crash by Christopher Mies in the GTD Pro class on the final lap brought out the yellow, preserving Aitken’s lead. Earlier, a collision between Earl Bamber’s Cadillac and Simon Mann’s AF Corse Ferrari in the Esses triggered a caution, but Bamber escaped unscathed. Meanwhile, Laurin Heinrich’s No. 5 JDC-Miller Porsche 963 clawed back from seventh on the final pit stop to finish third, passing Sheldon van der Linde’s No. 24 Team WRT BMW with 13 minutes remaining.
Acura’s Struggles and Porsche’s Unexpected Resilience
Aitken’s victory extended his GTP points lead, solidifying Cadillac’s resurgence in IMSA’s top class. According to Sportscar365, this was Cadillac’s first win at Watkins Glen since 2017, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s return to dominance. The No. 31 car’s strategy—prioritizing tire wear management over fresh rubber—proved decisive, a tactic that could set the template for future races.
Nick Yelloly’s Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06 entered the race as the defending champion, but a series of missteps cost him the win. Yelloly inherited the lead during the eighth full-course caution after pitting moments before the yellow flag came out for Simon Mann’s Ferrari. However, his final pit stop—where he took on four fresh tires—proved costly. Aitken’s left-side-only change allowed him to stretch his lead, while Yelloly’s Acura struggled with tire wear in the closing laps.
The Acura’s struggles weren’t isolated. Colin Braun’s No. 60 MSR Acura was eliminated in the opening hour after being run into by Roman De Angelis in the Aston Martin Valkyrie, an incident that also collected Henrik Hedman’s DragonSpeed Chevrolet Corvette. Meanwhile, Laurin Heinrich’s Porsche 963—consistently outperforming expectations—finished third, a result that underscored the team’s improving competitiveness.
According to Road & Track, Heinrich’s performance was particularly notable, as his Porsche Privitare team continues to defy expectations. The No. 5 car’s resilience—climbing from seventh on the final pit stop to third—highlighted the depth of competition in the GTP field.
LMP2 and GTD Pro Classes Deliver Their Own High-Stakes Performances
While the GTP class dominated headlines, the LMP2 and GTD Pro classes delivered their own drama. AO Racing’s No. 99 Oreca 07 Gibson, driven by Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar, and PJ Hyett, claimed the LMP2 victory in a race that saw the defending champion team struggle early. Cameron overtook Alex Quinn’s CrowdStrike Oreca with 1 hour and 40 minutes remaining, securing AO Racing’s first win of the season.
The GTD Pro class saw Vasser Sullivan Racing’s No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3—driven by Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicaot—secure a redemption win after running out of gas from the lead last year. Hawksworth, who also set a track record in qualifying, led the class from pole, while Callum Ilott’s Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3R finished second.
The LMP2 podium was completed by CrowdStrike Racing’s Alex Quinn and Era Motorsport’s Ferdinand Habsburg, while the GTD Pro class saw the No. 912 Manthey Porsche take the final podium spot. These results highlighted the depth of competition outside the GTP class, with multiple teams delivering strong performances.
What’s Next for Cadillac and the GTP Championship?
Cadillac’s victory at Watkins Glen wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. The brand’s first win at the track since 2017 and Aitken’s back-to-back victories (following Detroit) have cemented Cadillac’s position as a title contender in the GTP class. With Aitken now leading the championship, the focus shifts to the remaining races, including the Battle of the Bricks and the season finale at Sebring.
The Acura team, meanwhile, must address its consistency issues. While Yelloly’s near-miss at Watkins Glen was costly, the team’s early-season struggles—including Braun’s elimination and De Angelis’ controversial incident—suggest deeper challenges. If Meyer Shank Racing can tighten its strategy and avoid costly mistakes, it could still challenge Cadillac in the championship.
Looking ahead, the GTP class remains wide open. With teams like Porsche, BMW, and Aston Martin still in the mix, every race could decide the title. For Cadillac, the next step is maintaining this level of performance—especially in high-pressure endurance events like Watkins Glen.
As Daily Sportscar noted, the race was delayed by track repairs, but once the green flag dropped, Aitken and Action Express Racing turned those challenges into an opportunity. With the GTP season far from over, the stage is set for another epic battle at the next round.
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