Wittmer Leads McLaren Front Row Lockout at The Glen

Photo: IMSA

IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS championship leader Kuno Wittmer led a McLaren sweep of the front row for Saturday’s Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at Watkins Glen.

The McLaren factory driver reeled off a 1:54.240 in the No. 13 AWA McLaren 570S GT4 to edge out the debuting Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren of Michael Cooper by 0.184 seconds.

The run came despite a hefty Balance of Performance adjustment given to the British manufacturer ahead of this weekend’s four-hour enduro.

Patrick Gallagher qualified the No. 23 Notlad Racing by RS1 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 third on the grid ahead of the No. 8 McCann Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 of Andrew Davis in fourth.

Hugh Plumb completed the top-five in the No. 46 Team TGM Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R ahead of Mid-Ohio pole-sitter and runner-up Ryan Hardwick in the No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

The No. 09 Automatic Racing Aston Martin of Brandon Kidd was seventh ahead of another McLaren, the Motorsports In Action example in the hands of Spencer Pigot, who qualified eighth.

The GS field featured a mix of qualifying drivers unlike the typical two-hour race format, which usually sees each car’s Bronze or Silver-rated drivers set the grid.

Noaker Takes TCR Pole in Honda Sweep

Robert Noaker gave Atlanta Speedwerks its third class pole in the last four races in TCR, in a Honda sweep of the top three positions in class.

Noaker’s 1:56.046 lap time in the No. 84 Honda Civic Type-R TCR outpaced late sub Todd Lamb in the team’s sister No. 94 entry by 0.825 seconds.

Karl Wittmer was third quickest in the VGMC Honda entry ahead of the No. 81 CB Motorsports Hyundai Veloster N TCR of Trenton Estep, who was best of the rest in fourth.

The Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 gets underway Saturday at 2:35 p.m. ET with live coverage on Trackpass on NBC Sports Gold 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