Pla Quickest in Night Practice at Road Atlanta

Photo: Rick Dole/Michelin

Michael Shank Racing has topped the time charts in night practice for Saturday’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-ending Petit Le Mans.

Olivier Pla was quickest of the 90-minute session, reeling off a quick lap of 1:13.541 late in the running, and bumping Mazda’s Jonathan Bomarito from the top.

Pla’s time edged out Bomarito by 0.496 seconds, with the No. 5 Corvette DP of Joao Barbosa third quickest with a 1:14.215.

“I’m very happy with the performance today,” Pla said. “I love this track, Road Atlanta, and the car has been great from the beginning.

“We just kept improving the car during each session. I think it’s looking good for the race.”

Stefano Coletti led the way in Prototype Challenge in the No. 7 Starworks Motorsport Oreca FLM09, thanks to a 1:16.580 lap.

Ford Chip Ganassi Racing was quickest in GT Le Mans with Dirk Mueller at the wheel of the No. 66 Ford GT, with Marco Seefried leading the way in GT Daytona in the No. 44 Magnus Racing Audi R8 LMS.

Thirty seven of the 38 cars turned laps in the session, with the No. 85 JDC-Miller Motorsports PC car the only car not to set a time.

The session was interrupted by only a single red flag for track cleanup.

The fourth and final practice session is set for Friday at 10:15 a.m. ET.

RESULTS: Practice 3

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