Road Atlanta Wednesday Notebook

Photo: John Dagys

***A total of 53 cars are set for this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans, with only one change since the release of the pre-event entry list last week.

***The No. 021 Trarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 now features Riccardo Agostini and Robert Megennis, who join the previously confirmed AJ Muss in the GTD entry. Joel Miller, who was initially listed alongside a to-be-confirmed driver, is no longer part of the lineup. A reason for the change was not communicated.

***Both of AO Racing’s ‘Skeleton Rexy’ and ‘Skeleton Spike’ liveries, which made their public debuts this afternoon (pictured above), feature reflective vinyl that will ‘pop out’ in night-time flash photography according to team principal Gunnar Jeannette. The Illinois-based team confirmed on Wednesday a continued dual-class program for next year, with no plans to expand into the GTP ranks at this time.

***Nick Tandy is driving a wildly different car at this weekend’s Motul Petit Le Mans compared to last weekend, as the Porsche Penske Motorsport driver took part in the MINI Challenge UK round at Brands Hatch, winning Race 2 as a fill-in driver for Jamie Osborne. Tandy will be back at the wheel of his No. 7 Porsche 963, reprising the lineup of co-drivers Felipe Nasr and Laurens Vanthoor since their victory in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The trio also won the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

***The Ford Mustang GT3 scored its first championship title in global sports car competition last weekend at Hockenheim, with Haupt Racing Team winning the team and drivers’ titles in ADAC GT Masters with drivers Finn Wiebelhaus and Salman Owega. HRT also gave the car its first overall win on the Nürburgring Nordschleife recently, in NLS action.

***A total of 41 Mustang race cars are competing around the globe this weekend, including the three GT3 entries at Motul Petit Le Mans, five Mustang GT4s in Michelin Pilot Challenge action and two HRT-run Mustang GT3s in Sunday’s GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup season finale in Barcelona.

***While nearly all championships are still to play for this weekend, Paul Miller Racing has already clinched the Michelin Endurance Cup GTD Pro title following last month’s Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

***The team’s No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO currently has a four-point lead over the sister No. 48 BMW, both of which could still take the Endurance Cup drivers and teams’ titles. BMW factory driver Connor De Phillippi is entered as the third driver in both entries this weekend.

***The only other two titles locked up ahead of Saturday’s race are the Endurance Cup manufacturers’ championships for BMW (GTD Pro) and Ferrari (GTD).

***The closest season-long title battle is in the GTP manufacturers’ championship, which sees Porsche with just an seven-point lead over Acura, which will likely see Porsche Penske Motorsport take a split approach between its two Porsche 963s entries.

***Matt Campbell, driver of the No. 6 entry with Mathieu Jaminet, said: “For us obviously our focus is the driver’s championship. Manufacturers [is] for sure up there, but that takes care of itself. We need our sister car to be in the fight as well and both getting points. That’s something we’ll all think about towards the end of the race.”

***Michelin North America is hosting the family of Aviation Boatswain’s Mate First Class Timothy Justin Williams as part of its continued support of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) program. Williams, who died by suicide in 2018, served his country from 2006-18 and received various awards and commendations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star award and the National Defense Service Medal for service on the War on Terrorism.

***Michelin will host a series of tributes and activations designed to recognize and uplift TAPS families Additionally, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports will have a TAPS program decal on its two Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs this weekend. “Petit Le Mans is more than a race; it’s a moment to reflect, honor and connect,” said David Chapman, vice president of public affairs at Michelin North America. “We’re humbled to welcome TAPS families and celebrate the lives of those who served through this meaningful partnership.”

***Both of the Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06 cars are sporting a tribute sticker in honor of founding Honda Performance Development President Robert Clarke, who passed away last month.

***A recently commissioned study by Road Atlanta has revealed that the circuit has generated nearly $80 million annually in economic impact across the state of Georgia. Road Atlanta partnered with the Georgia Tech Center for Economic Development Research (CEDR) to conduct this study, which was based on the track’s 2024 visitors.

***It has been revealed that Forte Racing has incorporated hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into its operations since 2021, making it one of the first North American race teams to do so. The California-based team’s current fleet includes two Toyota Mirai and two Hyundai Nexo models, which are used to support logistics and operations at race events.

***More than 88,000 miles have been driven on the team’s hydrogen vehicles since 2021, the equivalent to avoiding 3,464 gallons of gasoline, which is roughly equal to four seasons of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America competition with one car.

***Forte team principal Shane Seneviratne said: “Motorsport is inherently resource-intensive, especially with the amount of fuel we burn on track. While we continue to pursue performance at the highest level, we’re also exploring ways to be more mindful off the track. Incorporating hydrogen-powered cars into our daily operations is a natural step forward.”

***IMSA will release its 2026 WeatherTech Championship entry list tomorrow, which is expected to feature several notable additions, changes and potential omissions. It’s understood the list will not include car manufacturers for each confirmed team.

***WeatherTech Championship track action kicks off tomorrow with three practice sessions, with sessions set to start at 10:40 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (all times EST). Coverage will be available on IMSA Radio.

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