Self-destruction and Damage dashes hopes at VIR on August 23, 2026
Alexander Sims, starting 8th in the # 3 Pratt & Miller Z06 GT3.R, clipped the curb in tight traffic on the opening lap through the uphill esses.
Slamming into the tire barrier at 150 mph, the impact launched his Corvette in a spectacular crash that ended the day in which he took the blame. While the Pratt & Miller Crew and co-driver Antonio Garcia watched the 2 hr-40 min IMSA race for GT cars in dismay.
Watch it happen here:
Tommy Milner, teamed with Nicky Catsburg, started 2nd in the # 4 Pratt & Miller Z06 GT3.R. A botched pit stop (very uncommon), no further caution flags and the need to conserve fuel relegated them 6th place in GTD PRO.
Andrea Caldarelli and Sandy Mitchell in the # 9 Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini Temerario GT3 were the winners in a flawless performance.
Casper Stevenson qualified the # 81 DragonSpeed Z06 GT3.R on the pole for the GTD class.
Despite warnings from IMSA “to keep it clean”, Lorenzo Patrese in the # 34 Conquest Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO hit Stevenson early on the first lap. As a result, the fastest car in GTD, the # 81 Corvette, finished 12th in GTD with 5 laps lost to replace a damaged steering arm.
Matt Bell and Orey Fidani in the Team 13 # 13 Z06 GT3.R finished 6th in GTD. According to Bell, the need to preserve the tires held them back.
Mason Filippi and Robert Wickens in the DXDT # 36 Z06 GT3.R finished 8th in GTD.
Photo credits: IMSA, Jake Galstad
