Taylor Hoping to “Continue to Control” DPi Championship

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

On the heels of Wayne Taylor Racing’s fifth podium in six races, Ricky Taylor feels hopeful of “continuing to control” the DPi championship heading into the final four races of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque recorded a third place finish in last week’s WeatherTech 240 at Watkins Glen International, increasing their points lead to 81 over Mazda’s Harry Tincknell and Oliver Jarvis.

While leading the first 24 laps from pole, Taylor admitted they were unable to match the strategy or pace of the eventual race-winning No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R of Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani.

“We increased our points lead, but it was a difficult race,” said Taylor. “Filipe did an amazing job dealing with difficult conditions.

“The cars ahead of us were in a position where they could take more risks and we put Filipe in the car with no practice laps.

“He got right into the fight and brought us another podium finish.

“We are five for six on podiums and that’s what wins championships. We need to continue on this trend and the team is still executing well.

“It’d be nice to get on the top step of the podium before the year’s out, but I think if we keep trending this way we can continue to control the championship.”

Albuquerque added: “As the race went on, straight away, it seemed we weren’t as strong as we’d thought.

“The No. 55 Mazda was strong and the deltas to the Cadillacs were closer. Ricky held on really well and the strategy came along.

“The No. 31 Cadillac got a bit lucky, pitting one lap before the red flag which was an advantage to them.

“On the restart, I was P2 and unfortunately lost a position with a wiggle there, and then the rest of the race was really tricky for me since it was wet in four corners and dry in the others. Good fight with the No. 5 car.

“In the end, we came home with P3. We’re happy, but not 100 percent happy, because we want to win.

“We finished ahead of the Mazda and gained points on them in qualifying and the race which is good for the championship.

“Others, like the No. 31 and No. 01, are starting to make moves and are just behind in the championship, so we need to keep pushing.”

The next DPi race on the WeatherTech Championship calendar is Road America on Aug. 6-8.

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