Morad Sets Friday Practice Pace at Mid-Ohio

Winward Racing’s Daniel Morad led the way in the opening IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge practice session of the weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, edging out Kris Wilson.

Morad drove his No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 to the top of the GS time sheets early in the hour-long practice session, ultimately recording a best time of 1:26.987 in the car he shares with Bryce Ward.

Wilson’s quick lap aboard the No. 64 Team TGM Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Evo was just 0.167 seconds off Morad’s pace, and just under two tenths quicker than Aaron Telitz’s Archangel Motorsports Aston Martin behind.

Team TGM’s Matt Plumb was fourth fastest, while Austin Krainz completed the top-five in his No. 28 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

Chris Miller paced the TCR field with a 1:28.350 lap aboard the No. Unitronic/JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi RS 3 LMS TCR entry he co-pilots with Mikey Taylor.

Fresh off a class win at last weekend’s Nurburgring 24, Mason Filippi was second fastest in his No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR.

Parker Thompson turned laps in the No. 50 Hattori Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 during practice, and will replace Jack Hawksworth at the Mid-Ohio circuit this weekend.

Hawksworth swiftly departed the track en route to Le Mans after he was called to replace Jose Maria Lopez in the No. 87 Akkodis ASP Lexus RCF GT3 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This shuffle comes in the wake of the announcement that the Argentine would fill-in for an injured Mike Conway aboard the No. 7 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 Hybrid at the French endurance classic.

A brief red flag for debris at the final corner was the only interruption to the 60-minute practice session.

Practice 2 takes place on Saturday at 11:55 a.m. EDT ahead of qualifying at 4:30 p.m.

RESULTS: Practice 1