The2020 Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championshipwas asports car racesanctioned by theInternational Motor Sports Association(IMSA). The race was held atWeatherTech Raceway Laguna SecainMonterey County, California,on November 1, 2020. This race was the tenth round of the2020 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,and the seventh round of the WeatherTech Sprint Cup.
The overall race was won byHélio CastronevesandRicky Taylor,their fourth victory of the season. In LMP2, PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports secured the class victory by default, as no other teams were entered. The GTLM class was won for the second consecutive race byPorsche,albeit this time with the #912 team ofEarl BamberandLaurens Vanthoor.In GTD,Mario FarnbacherandMatt McMurryscored their second victory of the season.[1]
Background
edit
ThenInternational Motor Sports Association's (IMSA) president Scott Atherton confirmed the race was part of the schedule for the2020 IMSA SportsCar Championship(IMSA SCC) in August 2019.[2]It was the seventh consecutive year it was held as part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The 2020 Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship was the tenth of eleven sports car races of 2020 by IMSA, and the event was the last of seven races on the WeatherTech Sprint Cup.[3]The race was held at the eleven-turn 2.238 mi (3.602 km)WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.[4]
Initially scheduled to be run on September 13, the event was rescheduled for the weekend of November 1st, as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5]The event was runbehind closed doorsin order to maintain compliance withCaliforniastate gathering regulations, as it was the only DPi round, and second GT round (Virginia International Racewaythe other round in the season) to be held as such, as the second Daytona, Road America, Mid-Ohio, Charlotte, and both Sebring and Road Atlanta rounds were run with spectators.[6]In May,Hyundaiwas announced as the new title sponsor of the event.[7]
No changes were made to IMSA'sbalance of performancefrom the previous round atRoad Atlanta.
Before the race,Ryan BriscoeandRenger van der Zandeled the DPi Drivers' Championship with 215 points, ahead ofHélio CastronevesandRicky Taylorin second with 207 points, andPipo Deraniin third.[8]In LMP2, Patrick Kelly led the Drivers' Championship with 126 points.[8]Antonio GarcíaandJordan Taylorled the GTLM Drivers' Championship with 293 points, 28 points ahead ofOliver GavinandTommy Milner.[8]With 228 points,Aaron Telitzled the GTD Drivers' Championship, ahead ofJack Hawksworth.[8]Cadillac,Chevrolet,andLexuswere leading their respective Manufactures' Championships whileKonica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R,PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports,Corvette Racing,andAIM Vasser Sullivaneach led their own Teams' Championships.[8]
Entries
editA total of 28 cars took part in the event, split across four classes. 8 were entered inDPi,1 inLMP2,6 inGTLM,and 13 inGTD.DPi's only changes were between the twoJDCentries. WithJoão Barbosa's exit from the team,Tristan Vautierwas drafted in to replace him. As a result,Stephen Simpsonreturned to the #85 to partnerMatheus Leist.[9]LMP2 was reduced to just one entry due to a back injury sustained by Era Motorsport driverDwight Merriman,leaving championship leaders PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports as the only entrant.[10]In GTD,Alessandro BalzanreplacedToni VilanderasScuderia Corsa's pro driver.[10]Sprint competitors Team Hardpoint andCompass Racingalso returned after skippingPetit Le Mans.[9]
Practice
editThere were two practice sessions preceding the start of the race on Sunday, both on Saturday. The first session lasted one hour on Saturday morning while the second session lasted 75 minutes on Saturday afternoon.[11]
Practice 1
editThe first practice session took place at 8:00 amPTon Saturday and ended withPipo Deranitopping the charts forWhelen Engineering Racing,with a lap time of 1:15.851, ahead of the #10 Cadillac ofRenger van der Zande.[12]Simon Trummerset the fastest time in LMP2.[13]The GTLM class topped by the #3Corvette RacingChevrolet Corvette C8.RofAntonio Garcíawith a time of 1:21.898.[13]Nick Tandywas second in the #911Porsche GT Teamentry andEarl Bamberrounded out the top 3.Bill Auberlenwas fastest in GTD.[14]44 minutes into the session,Tristan Nunez,driving the #77Mazda RT24-P,hit a trackside sign at turn 9 whilst trying to avoid hitting the #85JDC-Miller MotorSportsCadillac ofStephen Simpson.Debris became scattered across the track and brought out the red flag.[13]The Team Hardpoint Audi only completed three laps due to broken drive shaft.[15]
| Pos. | Class | No. | Team | Driver | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DPi | 31 | Whelen Engineering Racing | Pipo Derani | 1:15.851 | _ |
| 2 | DPi | 10 | Konica Minolta Cadillac | Renger van der Zande | 1:16.370 | +0.519 |
| 3 | DPi | 6 | Acura Team Penske | Juan Pablo Montoya | 1:16.410 | +0.579 |
| Sources:[16][17] | ||||||
Practice 2
editThe second final practice session took place at 12:00 pmPTon Saturday and ended withOliver Jarvistopping the charts forMazda Motorsports,with a lap time of 1:15.692, 0.185 seconds faster thanDane Cameron's #6 Acura.[18]ThePR1/Mathiasen Motorsportsdid not set a time in LMP2.[19]The GTLM class was topped by the #3Corvette RacingChevrolet Corvette C8.RofJordan Taylorwith a time of 1:22.279.Connor De Phillippiin the #25BMW Team RLLentry was second andNick Tandyrounded out the top 3.[20]Robby Foleyset the fastest time in GTD.[18]The #85 Cadillac ofMatheus Leistcrashed in turn 2 after suffering a mechanical issue.[19]Felipe NasrandHélio Castronevescollided at turn 3 after they exited the pits and Nasr tried letting Castorneves pass. The #7Acura Team PenskeAcura cut across the #31Whelen Engineering RacingCadillac and both cars received damage. Castroneves received a stop-and-hold plus 60 second penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct while Nasr was given a drive-through penalty.[15][21]
| Pos. | Class | No. | Team | Driver | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DPi | 77 | Mazda Motorsports | Oliver Jarvis | 1:15.692 | _ |
| 2 | DPi | 6 | Acura Team Penske | Dane Cameron | 1:15.877 | +0.185 |
| 3 | DPi | 55 | Mazda Motorsports | Juan Pablo Montoya | 1:16.037 | +0.345 |
| Sources:[22][23] | ||||||
Qualifying
edit
Sunday's morning qualifying was broken into three sessions, with one session for the DPi and LMP2, GTLM, and GTD classes, which lasted for 15 minutes each, and a ten minute interval between the sessions.[11]The rules dictated that all teams nominated a driver to qualify their cars, with the Pro-Am (LMP2/GTD) classes requiring a Bronze/Silver Rated Driver to qualify the car. The competitors' fastest lap times determined the starting order. IMSA then arranged the grid to put DPis ahead of the LMP2, GTLM, and GTD cars.[24]
The first session was for cars in GTD class.Matt McMurryqualified on pole for the class driving the #86 car forMeyer Shank RacingwithCurb-Agajanian,beatingRobby Foleyin theTurner Motorsportentry by less than two-tenths of a second.[25]
The second session was for cars in the GTLM class.Jordan Taylorqualified on pole driving the #3 car forCorvette Racing,bestingLaurens Vanthoorin the #912Porsche GT Teamentry.[26]
The final session of qualifying was for cars in the LMP2 and DPi classes.Juan Pablo Montoyatook overall pole for the event driving the #6 car forAcura Team Penske,beating teammateHélio Castronevesin the sister #7Acura Team Penskeby less than two-tenths of a second.[27]Patrick Kelly secured the LMP2 pole by default.[28]
Qualifying results
editPole positionsin each class are indicated inboldand by ‡.
| Pos. | Class | No. | Team | Driver | Time | Gap | Grid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DPi | 6 |  Acura Team Penske
|
 Juan Pablo Montoya
|
1:15.174 | _ | 1‡ |
| 2 | DPi | 7 | Acura Team Penske
|
 Hélio Castroneves
|
1:15.333 | +0.159 | 2 |
| 3 | DPi | 77 |  Mazda Motorsports
|
 Oliver Jarvis
|
1:15.411 | +0.237 | 3 |
| 4 | DPi | 31 | Whelen Engineering Racing
|
Pipo Derani
|
1:15.420 | +0.246 | 4 |
| 5 | DPi | 5 | JDC-Mustang Sampling Racing
|
 Tristan Vautier
|
1:15.461 | +0.287 | 5 |
| 6 | DPi | 55 | Mazda Motorsports
|
Jonathan Bomarito
|
1:15.580 | +0.406 | 6 |
| 7 | DPi | 10 | Konica Minolta Cadillac
|
 Ryan Briscoe
|
1:15.729 | +0.555 | 81 |
| 8 | DPi | 85 | JDC-Miller MotorSports
|
Matheus Leist
|
1:15.852 | +0.678 | 7 |
| 9 | LMP2 | 52 | PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports
|
Patrick Kelly
|
1:19.598 | +4.424 | 9‡ |
| 10 | GTLM | 3 | Corvette Racing
|
Jordan Taylor
|
1:21.483 | +6.309 | 10‡ |
| 11 | GTLM | 912 | Porsche GT Team
|
 Laurens Vanthoor
|
1:21.725 | +6.551 | 11 |
| 12 | GTLM | 4 | Corvette Racing
|
Oliver Gavin
|
1:21.853 | +6.679 | 12 |
| 13 | GTLM | 25 | BMW Team RLL
|
Bruno Spengler
|
1:22.054 | +6.880 | 142 |
| 14 | GTLM | 24 | BMW Team RLL
|
 Jesse Krohn
|
1:22.120 | +6.946 | 153 |
| 15 | GTD | 86 | Meyer Shank RacingwithCurb-Agajanian
|
Matt McMurry
|
1:25.126 | +9.952 | 16‡ |
| 16 | GTD | 96 | Turner Motorsport
|
Robby Foley
|
1:25.140 | +9.966 | 17 |
| 17 | GTD | 63 | Scuderia Corsa
|
Cooper MacNeil
|
1:25.318 | +10.144 | 18 |
| 18 | GTD | 57 | Heinricher Racing withMSRCurb-Agajanian
|
Misha Goikhberg
|
1:25.426 | +10.252 | 19 |
| 19 | GTD | 12 | AIM Vasser Sullivan
|
Frankie Montecalvo
|
1:25.475 | +10.301 | 20 |
| 20 | GTD | 23 | Heart of Racing Team
|
Ian James
|
1:25.676 | +10.502 | 21 |
| 21 | GTD | 76 | Compass Racing
|
Jeff Kingsley
|
1:25.826 | +10.652 | 22 |
| 22 | GTD | 22 | Gradient Racing
|
Till Bechtolsheimer
|
1:26.012 | +10.838 | 23 |
| 23 | GTD | 16 | Wright Motorsports
|
Ryan Hardwick
|
1:26.171 | +10.997 | 24 |
| 24 | GTD | 44 | GRTMagnus
|
John Potter
|
1:26.359 | +11.185 | 25 |
| 25 | GTD | 14 | AIM Vasser Sullivan
|
Aaron Telitz
|
1:26.404 | +11.230 | 26 |
| 26 | GTD | 30 | Team Hardpoint
|
Rob Ferriol
|
1:26.791 | +11.617 | 27 |
| 27 | GTD | 74 | Riley Motorsports
|
Gar Robinson
|
1:29.460 | +14.286 | 284 |
| 28 | GTLM | 911 | Porsche GT Team
|
Frederic Makowiecki
|
1:32.856 | +17.682 | 13 |
| Sources:[29][30] | |||||||
- 1The No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac entry was moved to the back of the DPi field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[24]
- 2The No. 25 BMW Team RLL entry was moved to the back of the GTLM field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[24]
- 3The No. 24 BMW Team RLL entry was moved to the back of the GTLM field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[24]
- 4The No. 74 Riley Motorsports entry was moved to the back of the GTD field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[24]
Race
editPost-race
editAs a result of winning the race Hélio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor took the lead of the DPi Drivers' Championship. Bomarito and Tincknell advanced from fifth to fourth.[31]By starting the race, Patrick Kelly clinched the LMP2 Drivers' Championship.[31][32]As a result of Gavin and Milner's disqualification, Antonio García and Jordan Taylor clinched the GTLM Drivers' Championship.[31][33]As a result of winning the race, Mario Farnbacher and Matt McMurry took the lead of the GTD Drivers' Championship. Hardwick and Long advanced from third to second while Telitz dropped from first to third.[31]Cadillac, and Chevrolet continued to top their respective Manufacturers' Championships while Acura took the lead of the GTD Manufactures' Championship.[31]PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and Corvette Racing their respective advantages in their respective of Teams' Championships while Acura Team Penske took the lead of the DPi Teams' Championship. Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian took the lead of the GTD Teams' Championship with one round remaining in the season.[31]
Results
editClass winners are denoted inboldand ‡.
Standings after the race
edit
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Note:Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
|
|
|
|
|
- Note:Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
|
|
|
- Note:Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
References
edit- ^"Laguna Seca IMSA: Taylor and Castroneves profit from team orders to win".autosport.2 November 2020.Retrieved2 April2021.
- ^Dagys, John (August 2, 2019)."2020 WeatherTech Championship Schedule Released".sportscar365.RetrievedJuly 26,2023.
- ^"Revised 2020 Sports Car Racing Calendars".sportscar365.April 4, 2020.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^Pruett, Marshall (June 25, 2020)."IMSA refines 2020 calendar".racer.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"IMSA Announces Date Changes for Three 2020 WeatherTech Championship Event Weekends".imsa.25 June 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^"Laguna IMSA race to run without spectators".racer.11 September 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^"WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Host Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship".imsa.28 May 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^abcde"00_Championship Points - Official.pdf"(PDF).results.imsa.October 20, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^ab"Entry List: WeatherTech Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship".frontstretch.28 October 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^ab"Single LMP2 Car on Laguna Seca Entry List".sportscar365.21 October 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^ab"2020 IMSA Official Schedule and SR WRLS 102120 V1"(PDF).results.imsa /noticeBoard.php.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^Malsher-Lopez, David (October 31, 2020)."IMSA Laguna Seca: Derani leads Cadillac 1-2 in FP1".motorsport.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^abcO'Malley, J.J. (October 31, 2020)."Derani leads opening Laguna IMSA practice".racer.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^Dagys, John (October 31, 2020)."Derani Blazes Field in Opening Practice at Laguna Seca".sportscar365.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^abDagys, John (October 31, 2020)."Laguna Seca Saturday Notebook".sportscar365.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"03_Results_Practice 1.PDF"(PDF).results.imsa.October 31, 2002.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"06_Fastest Lap By Driver_Practice 1.PDF"(PDF).results.imsa.October 31, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^abMalsher-Lopez, David (October 31, 2020)."IMSA Laguna Seca: Mazda moves to the top in FP2".motorsport.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^abDagys, John (October 31, 2020)."Jarvis Quickest as Castroneves, Nasr Collide in Practice 2".sportscar365.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^O'Malley, J.J. (October 31, 2020)."Mazda fastest, tempers flare in P2 at Laguna Seca".racer.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^Allaway, Phil (October 31, 2020)."Oliver Jarvis Fastest in WeatherTech Laguna Seca Practice; Road Atlanta Anger Remains".frontstretch.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"03_Results_Practice 2.PDF"(PDF).results.imsa.October 31, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"06_Fastest Lap By Driver_Practice 2.PDF"(PDF).results.imsa.October 31, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^abcde"2020 IMSA SPORTING REGULATIONS and SERIES SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 22 December 2023.Retrieved2023-12-26.
- ^O'Malley, J.J. (November 1, 2020)."Montoya leads Penske Acura front-row sweep at Laguna".racer.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^Dagys, John (November 1, 2020)."Montoya Leads Acura Team Penske Front Row Lockout".sportscar365.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"Acuras Sweep Laguna Seca Front Row".dailysportscar.November 1, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"IMSA Laguna Seca: Acuras lock out front row, Corvette tops GTLM".motorsport.1 November 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^"03_Results_Qualifying.PDF"(PDF).results.imsa.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^"01_Grid_Race_Official.PDF"(PDF).results.imsa.November 1, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^abcdefghijklmnopq"00_Championship Points - Official.pdf"(PDF).results.imsa.November 4, 2020.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^Dagys, John (November 1, 2020)."Taylor, Castroneves Take Tactical Win at Laguna Seca".sportscar365.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^O'Malley, J.J. (November 1, 2020)."No.3 Corvette secures IMSA GTLM title after sister car penalized".racer.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.
- ^"Garcia, Taylor win title after penalty for sister Corvette".1 November 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^"03_Results_Race_Official.PDF"(PDF).November 2020.Retrieved3 April2021.
- ^"2020 HYUNDAI MONTEREY SPORTS CAR CHAMPIONSHIP".racing-reference.info.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.