McCusker Takes Laguna Pole; New Honda on Top in TCR Debut

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Austin McCusker claimed pole for this afternoon’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, while Mat Pombo put the new LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR on pole in TCR in its debut.

McCusker, in the No. 19 Van der Steur Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4, reeled off a best lap of 1:30.847 in the 15-minute GS qualifying session to outpace the No. 28 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport of Eric Filgueiras by 0.063 seconds.

It marked pole for the Aston Martin, which is running in a special ‘Trashboy’ livery this weekend.

The No. 72 Murillo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Kenny Murillo will start third, ahead of Cameron Lawerence and Sean McAllister, respectively.

Pombo’s lap of 1:31.782 in the FL5-spec Honda was 0.072 seconds quicker than the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR of Mason Filippi.

Bryan Ortiz initially qualified third in class in the No. 91 van der Steur Racing Hyundai but all of his times were disallowed due to the driver exiting the car in the session.

It promoted the No. 33 BHA Hyundai of Harry Gottsacker to third on the class grid.

The WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120 gets underway at 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET) with live coverage on Peacock and IMSA Radio.

RESULTS: Qualifying

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John