Acura's Historic Front Row Sweep in Detroit
In a thrilling display of precision and power, Acura achieved a front row lockout during the qualifying session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on May 31. Nick Yelloly piloted the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06 to pole position, marking the team's first pole of the 2025 season. This achievement was particularly notable given the challenging track conditions in downtown Detroit, which drivers described as slippery and unforgiving during practice sessions.
The No. 93 car's success was complemented by the strong performance of its sister car, ensuring both Acura entries started at the front of the grid for the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic. 'It's a fantastic result for the team,' Yelloly remarked, highlighting the hard work behind the scenes to adapt to the unique street circuit. This lockout snapped a streak of dominance by Porsche, setting the stage for an intense race.
Challenging Track Conditions Test Drivers' Skills
The Detroit street circuit, hosting both IndyCar and IMSA events from May 30 to June 1, presented significant challenges with its tight corners and bumpy surface. Drivers across sessions noted the track's lack of grip early on, though each lap laid down more rubber, slightly improving conditions. Posts found on X reflected a mix of concern and excitement about the circuit's demanding nature, with many pointing out the close walls and minimal runoff areas.
Despite these difficulties, Acura's performance stood out as a testament to their engineering and driver skill. The qualifying results showed tight competition, with Nick Tandy posting a fastest lap of 1:08.552 in practice, closely followed by Dries Vanthoor at 1:08.598, according to data from the IMSA website. For the race itself, strategic adjustments were crucial as teams navigated the evolving track surface.
Race Day Triumph for Acura Over Cadillac
On race day, Acura's dominance continued as Renger van der Zande made a bold late move in the No. 93 ARX-06 to secure the victory, outdueling Cadillac's No. 10 car driven by Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor. This win marked Acura's first victory of the 2025 season in the Grand Touring Prototype class, a significant milestone after a competitive start to the year. The tense battle showcased the high stakes of the Detroit event, with every position fiercely contested.
In the GT Daytona Pro class, Ford Multimatic Motorsports also celebrated a front row sweep in qualifying, adding to the excitement of the weekend. Porsche Penske Motorsport, starting from the third grid row, fought hard but couldn't close the gap to the leading Acura and Cadillac entries. As reported on the IMSA website, this race underscored Acura's resurgence, promising more thrilling battles in the races to come.