Blomqvist, Braun aiming for second-straight victory after win in Canada
Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (1 August 2023) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) with Curb-Agajanian will be looking to continue the momentum from its victory in the most recent IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event at CTMP when it travels to historic Road America for the IMSA SportsCar Weekend on Sunday (11:00am ET, USA, SXM Ch. 207).
Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun return to the wheel of the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Acura ARX-06 for the seventh event of the season showcasing the new hybrid-powered GTP class.
The team gambled on fuel during the late stages of the most recent IMSA event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, eschewing a final pit stop while dominating the final 55-minutes of competition. Braun built up a 7.7-second advantage down the stretch and came home with a victory.
MSR has been fast – but unlucky – at the classic 4.048-mile Road America layout. Last year, MSR used a sensational pit stop to take the lead with 40 minutes remaining. The No. 60 Acura DPi ran second when it tagged the wall while under heavy pressure with eight minutes remaining. Despite losing bodywork and shredding a tire, the Acura managed to maintain speed and finish fourth, scoring key points on the way to the 2022 IMSA championship title. In 2021, the team led 26 circuits and set the fastest race lap, but an early-race pit gamble didn’t pay dividends after a long green-flag run resulted in a fifth-place finish.
Blomqvist started seventh and finished fifth in GTLM at the 4.0-mile circuit in 2019, his lone Road America start prior to last year’s event.
Braun is a two-time WeatherTech Championship winner at Road America, scoring five podium finishes. He won overall in 2018, co-driving an ORECA LMP2, and also won in LMP3 in 2021. The Texan finished second in ALMS PC at Road America in 2012, and won the pole the following year before placing fourth. Braun also ran in a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the circuit, starting third and finishing 11th in 2010 for legendary car owner Jack Roush.
After Road America, only the Tirerack,com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Sept. 17) and the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (Oct. 14) remain on the 2023 WeatherTech Championship schedule.
The two hour, 40-minute main event at Road American is set to go green at 11:10am ET on Sunday August 11th. USA Network will host live broadcast coverage starting at 11:00am ET. IMSA Radio will also have live coverage on SiriusXM Ch. 207.
Meyer Shank Racing IMSA Sports Car Weekend at Road America Driver Quotes:
Tom Blomqvist:
“We’re coming off the back of a win the last time out. The win was good and the morale of the team is high. We haven’t really got much to lose. The goal is to try and win the race, go aggressive in terms of strategy or whatever that may be. It’s a new track surface and apparently there is a lot more grip. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the calendar. Last year we had a tricky race, it didn’t go to plan, so I’m excited to get back at one of these great tracks. Hopefully we can continue that run of recent form and go for another victory.”
Colin Braun:
“Really excited for Road America, I think this track will suite our Acura GTP car well. We also are coming off a test in Indy where we were able to continue to learn about what makes speed in our car. This is a bit of a home race for me with my parents both growing up in the Milwaukee area, plus the new pavement – lots to look forward to! Ready to fight for sure!”