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Michelin Pilot Challenge

GS Qualifying Abandoned After Red Flags; BGB Awarded Pole

GS grid determined by championship points after multiple red flags cause session to be thrown out…

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

BGB Motorsports will start the second round of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Sebring from pole position, with the grid determined based on championship points after no lap times were posted in the GS category.

The No. 83 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport of Thomas Collingwood and Spencer Pumpelly, which currently sit second in the team standings following the opening round at Daytona International Speedway, will start from pole as Daytona winners PF Racing are not competing at Sebring.

A pair of incidents for the No. 39 CarBahn with Peregrine Racing Porsche of Sean McAlister and the No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Chevrolet Camaro GT4 of Frank DePew meant that the minimum guaranteed green flag time for the session could not be met, causing it to be abandoned.

An IMSA spokesperson confirmed that both McAlister and DePew have been evaluated and released from the infield care center.

The No. 72 Murillo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Kenny Murillo and Christian Szymczak will start the race from second, with the No. 58 Crucial Motorsports McLaren 570S GT4 of Michael de Quesada and Aurora Straus third.

Fourth on the grid is set to be occupied by the No. 23 JTR Motorsports Engineering Mercedes of Anthony McIntosh and Jared Thomas with the No. 56 Murillo Racing Mercedes of Jeff Mosing and Eric Foss completing the top five.

Pombo Secures Second Straight Pole in TCR

In the TCR class, which did see a full qualifying session completed, Mat Pombo stormed to a second consecutive series pole position.

Pombo steered the No. 37 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Type-R TCR to a best lap of 2:11.796 to take the top spot, marking his second consecutive pole.

Chris Miller was second aboard the No. 17 Unitronic/JDC Miller MotorSports Audi RS3 LMS TCR, 0.110 seconds down on Pombo.

Pombo and Miller held a significant gap back to the rest of the 15-car TCR field, with third-placed Mason Filippo 1.231 seconds removed from pole aboard the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR in third place.

The top five was completed by the No. 33 BHA Hyundai of Harry Gottsacker and Bryan Ortiz aboard the No. 91 Van der Steur Racing entry.

The Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 kicks off Thursday at 1:20 p.m ET.

RESULTS: Starting Grid

Davey Euwema is Sportscar365's European Editor. Based in The Netherlands, Euwema covers the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, among other series.

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