Fraga: Late-Race Caution Spoiled Riley Fuel Strategy

Felipe Fraga believes the late-race caution during Sunday’s Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park likely cost Riley its first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 win, as it rendered a fuel strategy advantage null and void.

The Brazilian, who shared the No. 74 Oreca 07 Gibson with Gar Robinson, finished second behind race winners Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports at the end of the two-hour and 40 minute contest at the Ontario circuit.

Fraga fought his way around both Ben Hanley and Scott Huffaker just prior to the third and final restart of the race, which came after Ryan Dalziel hit the tire barriers at Turn 9 with under 20 minutes to go.

The 29-year-old maintained that that caution likely cost Riley its first win of the season, as it allowed cars ahead to save fuel under yellow and thus prevented them from having to pit again for fuel.

Race leader Tom Dillmann, Huffaker and Hanley all made their final stops with well over 40 minutes remaining.

Riley, meanwhile, had extended its second stint before Robinson handed over to Fraga and pitted the Brazilian for the last time in a sufficient window to reach the checkered flag.

“I think we should be proud because we are leading the championship,” Fraga said.

“We got an even bigger lead today. It’s disappointing because we were the only ones that had fuel to go to the end.

“I saved a lot in the first stint. All three cars in front of me, they had to splash. It’s always 50-50 with these yellows.

“They got their yellow at the end, but in the end still good. I passed two guys and we almost fought for the win.

“It’s a bit sour. I want to win a race in LMP2, but on the other hand, we’re still leading. That’s our goal. I’ll take it.”

Dillmann: Win “Amazing Result” After Learning Curve

Dillmann, who took the checkered flag aboard the No. 52 Oreca to take Inter Europol by PR1’s first win of the season, credited his team’s strong performance considering a lack of testing compared to rivals.

While PR1/Mathiasen has raced LMP2 machinery at CTMP before, notably winning upon the class’ last visit to the circuit in 2019, last weekend marked the first time the new partnership with Inter Europol Competition put wheels on the ground at the venue.

“It’s an amazing result; for us to come here for the first time – do our very first laps together as a team here on the Friday – was a steep learning curve against those who tested here,” Dillmann said.

“We made gains in every practice session, and they gave me the quickest car in the field.

“My first stint was quite easy, I could pull a gap, the second was more complicated with those aiming to stay on the lead lap.

“I had to stay calm, even though the gap was coming down, and then – finally – it was free air again.

Dillmann said he expected the “inevitable” final caution to occur, although that brought new challenges when he had to defend his lead from Fraga through traffic in the final minutes.

“It was tough, as in free air we were fastest and I could manage the gap, but then it would always bunch up again,” he said.

“I was able to the fastest lap many times, and then traffic in those final laps. I stayed calm, so – yeah – it was a long time coming for us here at IMSA.

“We have always had great pace all season. In the first races, we could not capitalize. At Watkins Glen, we did, and so here, we won, which is amazing. A great team, great drivers, it’s very rewarding.”