22 Entries for IMSA-Sanctioned Indianapolis Test

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

A total of 22 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entries are set for next weekend’s IMSA-sanctioned test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The two-day optional test ahead of the series’ return as part of the IMSA Battle on the Bricks on Sept. 15-17, will feature the current, full nine-car GTP field, along with entries in LMP2, LMP3, GTD Pro and GTD.

Among the drivers on the entry list include NTT IndyCar Series star Colton Herta and fellow BMW M Motorsport factory driver Jesse Krohn entered in both of the Team RLL-entered BMW M Hybrid V8s alongside Connor De Phillippi.

The remainder of the GTP class features teams’ regular full-season drivers.

Parker Thompson, the nominated third driver in Vasser Sullivan’s No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 alongside Frankie Montecalvo and Aaron Telitz, is set to also turn laps, as well as Patrick Liddy in the No. 78 Forte Racing by US RaceTronics Lamborghini Huracan  GT3 EVO2.

The No. 80 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R also lists Gunnar Jeannette alongside Seb Priaulx and PJ Hyett, while Team Korthoff Motorsports has yet to declare its drivers for the July 28-29 test.

CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s presence on the Indianapolis test list in LMP2 alludes to the fact that the Algarve Pro Racing-run team will take part in the race, after initially confirming to a Michelin Endurance Cup-only schedule at the beginning of the season.

George Kurtz previously told Sportscar365 that it was his desire to complete the remainder of the regular season LMP2 races.

In addition to the 22 cars set for the official test, both Winward Racing and the No. 11 TDS Racing Oreca 07 Gibson completed private testing at the Brickyard last week, with Jr III Racing scheduled to turn laps with its Ligier JS P320 Nissan on Monday.

Teams that have completed private testing at Indianapolis are ineligible for the official test, which is one of four sanctioned testing opportunities this year.

WeatherTech Championship teams at the official test will be joined by a total of 11 Michelin Pilot Challenge cars that have also been entered for separate sessions over the two days.

The two-hour and 40-minute race on Sun. Sept. 17 will mark the WeatherTech Championship’s return to Indianapolis for the first time since the series’ inaugural season in 2014, which was won by Action Express Racing’s Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi in a Corvette DP.

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