The conclusion to last year's IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was an unforgettable experience for Ricky Taylor.
But it's precisely because of the memory that the No. 10 Acura ARX-06 driver is excited to get back to the streets of Southern California for Saturday's race (4:30 p.m. ET, Peacock). .
“I remember my first feeling after last year's race was, 'Oh, I wish I could try again,' so I'm really excited to be back,” Taylor said. . lead. “And there are no second chances in motorsports. So when I look back on this year, I feel like I've been thinking about that moment all year and finally got the chance to erase it from my memory — hopefully this year.
#10: Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti, Acura ARX-06, GTP: Ricky Taylor
Ricky Taylor of Wayne Taylor Racing Andretti during the 12 Hours of Sebring (IMSA/Michael L. Levitt/LAT Image).
“But if I were to do it again…it would depend on the circumstances. It didn't seem like too much of an offensive move at the time.”
Perhaps the most aggressive move of last year's race was the pit call of the winning No. 6 Porsche 963. After qualifying sixth, Matthieu Jamiento and Nick Tandy completed the 100-minute race without changing tires. Porsche Penske Motorsports scores first win since returning as German automaker Go to the best prototype category.
More milestones are at stake in Porsche's winning streak (Porsche is aiming for his 600th IMSA career win, and Team Penske is aiming for its 100th pole position and 100th win in a sports car) ).
But with Michelin returning to Long Beach with softer tires, Porsche Penske Motorsports Managing Director Jonathan Diouguid said the team's 2023 strategy is “unlikely.” Expect. I'm not going to say that's completely unexpected, since Long Beach has been relatively alarm-free for the past two years.
“But for the street course, we've got two more GTP cars than last year, so we're up to 10, and we've got more GTP cars than last year, so I think we'll see even more traffic.” That's a concern, though. , I think anything is on the table, and you'll see people deploying everything they can to gain track position on tight circuits. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is unexpected. I don't think it's likely that a vehicle would finish the race on one set of tires, but I think other tire strategies would work. ”
#7: Porsche Penske Motorsports, Porsche 963, GTP: Matt Campbell, Felipe Nasr, Dane Cameron, Joseph Newgarden Podium
No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsports 963 drivers Joseph Newgarden, Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr and Matt Campbell celebrate victory at Daytona in the Rolex 24 (IMSA/Michael L. Levitt/LAT Image) .
Similar to the end of last year's Long Beach, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has been a Porsche vs. Acura battle through the first two races of the season.
After winning the Rolex 24 at the season opener at Daytona, Porsche Penske Motorsports' other entry, Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron's No. 7 963, was replaced by Wayne Taylor Racing Andretti's No. 40 ARX. -06 and is tied for first place in the Grand Touring Prototype points standings.Luis Deletraz and Jordan Taylor teamed with Colton Herta Win the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.
Both wins were the first for each car in GTP, which introduced hybrid engines to IMSA's top class last season.sebring It was also the first win since the Taylor-Andretti partnership. It was Jordan Taylor's first time since reuniting with his father and brother after four years in a Corvette GT.
After five years away from racing prototypes on the ultra-tight 11-turn, 1.968-mile circuit, Taylor is honing his Long Beach traffic management skills through simulation racing. He also takes mental notes as he looks back on races from past years. And he expects the LBGP competition to be keen to explore less straightforward strategies for sprint races, which typically require only one driver change and one pit stop for refueling.
Highlight: IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
Check out highlights from the IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, where drivers took on the 1.968-mile course on the streets of Long Beach.
“If you qualify poorly and are at the back, it's very difficult to overtake, so it doesn't make sense to do a simple strategy like that,” Taylor said. “When you're at the back you can take chances, but sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn't. So, hopefully qualifying will go well and I'll keep it up front. It's a simple strategy, but you never know. The driver, the tires, the fuel, everything can make a difference. Yes, everyone has done their homework for this.”
Ricky Taylor expects tire degradation to be big, but says, “There's definitely going to be people trying different things. I think it will become something.”
However, I hope that this time it will not be so exciting for him, but I will not rule out another bold attempt at victory.
“Obviously I wouldn't make the same move because it didn't work,” he said. “If I had known what I know now, I might have waited another lap or two. He was way off the pace, so I might have had another chance. I don't think there's a second chance. So I don't blame myself for trying to do that last year. We really wanted to win the race and second place wasn't what we were interested in. You need to score some points and you need results.
“So we're going to be aggressive. I hope that situation doesn't happen again.”
Here are the details for the IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (all times are Eastern Time):
2024 IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
when: April 20th (Sat) 4:35pm
distance: A 100-minute race held on an 11-turn, 1.968-mile street course in Long Beach, California.
forecast: According to Wunderground.comThe temperature at green flag is expected to be 69 degrees with a 0% chance of precipitation.
entry list: Click here for the field of 27 cars in 2 categories (GTP, GTD) IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
During qualifying:Friday, April 19th, 7:55pm ET (Coverage on Peacock and IMSA.tv)
race broadcast
tv set: IMSA Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will be broadcast on USA Network and streamed on Peacock It begins at 4:30pm ET. (Peacock said in 2024 he plans to cover all IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship events flag-to-flag. Click here to learn how to sign up for Peacock.)
Lee Diffie serves as the announcer along with analyst Calvin Fish. Marty Snyder and Dillon Welch will serve as pit reporters.
wireless: All sessions are published on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com. SiriusXM live race coverage begins Saturday, April 20th at 4:30 p.m. (Sirius Channel 211, XM 206, Web/App 996)
Grand Prix of Long Beach Daily Schedule
Thursday, April 18th
5pm to 7pm: track walk
Friday, April 19th
10:45am – 11:15am: GT America practice
Noon – 1pm: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice
1:15pm – 1:35pm: Historic motorsports association practice
2:30pm – 3:00pm: GT America practice
3:15pm – 3:35pm: Stadium Super Truck practice/qualifying
3:50pm – 5:20pm: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice
5:50pm – 7:05pm: indy car practice
7:25pm – 7:40pm: GT America qualifying
8:00pm – 8:50pm: IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Qualifying
9:30-9:50: Afternoon: super drift practice
10:00pm – 11:30pm: Super Drift Challenge Race 1
Saturday, April 20th
10:40am – 11am: Historic motorsports association practice
11:25am – 12:25pm: indy car practice
1:40pm – 2:00pm: Historic Motorsports Association Race 1
2:25pm – 3:55pm: indycar qualifying
4:35pm: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (100 minutes, USA and Peacock)
7pm to 7:30pm: Stadium Super Truck Race 1
7:45pm – 8:25pm: GT America Race 1
9:30pm – 9:50pm: super drift practice
10:00pm – 11:30pm:Super Drift Challenge Race 2
IMSA Coverage on NBC Sports
Michael Andretti and Wayne Taylor celebrate their first win together
Louis Deletraz takes Acura's first win at the 12 Hours of Sebring
Porsche wins Rolex 24 at Daytona, ending Roger Penske's 55-year drought
Rolex 24 viewer guide: 5 things to watch this weekend
This year's notable crossover players include Jenson Button, Felipe Massa and Josef Newgarden.
Inside the sophisticated cockpit of the GTP hybrid prototype
Bubba Wallace is amazed by sports car culture
Pipo Derrani sets record lap at Daytona, takes pole position for No. 31 Cadillac
Rolex 24 winner Mike Shank says he's 'working on it every day' about returning to IMSA
As the team grows bigger than ever, Wayne Taylor keeps an eye on the little things
NASCAR Coverage on NBC Podcast IMSA
Episode 312: Rolex 24 Preview: World-Class Field Gathers at the World Center of Racing for the Race of Champions: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Listen on Spotify
Episode 313: Unable to defend Rolex 24 title, Mike Shank plans IMSA return: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Listen on Spotify
Episode 314: Unable to defend Rolex 24 title, Mike Shank plans IMSA return: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Listen on Spotify
