Corvette’s 100th IMSA Win

C8.R on the Daytona banking. [Photo by Jack Webster]

By Jack Webster & Eddie LePine

In this challenging racing season of 2020, it is nice to be able to report on a positive milestone. Corvette Racing just notched its 100th IMSA race victory at the first IMSA race since the beginning of the pandemic, the WeatherTech 240 at Daytona.

The milestone was historic for more than one reason. In addition to the 100th IMSA victory, the GTLM class win at Daytona also marked the first win for the all new C8.R mid-engine Corvette.

Into the distance. [Photo by Jack Webster]

Jordan Taylor about to win Corvette's 100th in IMSA. [Photo by Eddie LePine]

Socially distanced Daytona garage. [Photo by Eddie LePine]

C8.R on the Daytona banking. [Photo by Jack Webster]

Of course, you may be thinking: “I thought Corvette won their 100th race a few years ago?” You wouldn’t be exactly wrong about that, for if you include Le Mans victories along with the ones in IMSA, the total comes out to 108. But his milestone was for IMSA race wins alone, and if you take a look at it, winning 100 IMSA races against some of the toughest competition on the planet is an outstanding achievement.

Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor shared the driving duties on the historic victory at Daytona, but throughout the years there have been some outstanding results posted by Corvette pilots. In victories, here are just the top five: Oliver Gavin leads the list with 50 IMSA victories, while Corvette legend Johnny O’Connell places second with 41 wins. Fan favorite Jan Magnussen is next with 35 while Olivier Beretta (31) and Ron Fellows (30) round out the top five.

On their way to 100 IMSA wins, Corvette Racing has compiled an incredible record. Sixty of their wins were 1-2 finishes (and some of those were quite dramatic, if you will recall). Corvette Racing won a staggering 82 American Le Mans Series races (an all-time record), and they won 10 manufacturer’s and team championships in the process. During the ALMS period of IMSA racing, Corvette drivers won 9 ALMS driver titles, and more recently have won three drivers titles and three manufacturers titles in the new IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In 2016, Corvette Racing also won the IMSA North American Endurance Championship for drivers, teams and manufacturers.

They have done all of this with legendary Corvette race cars developed and built by Pratt & Miller. The Corvette C5.R, C6.R, C7.R scored historic victories, while the new C8.R continues that tradition with its maiden win at Daytona.

Led by Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan, these legendary cars, legendary drivers, and legendary team members (including the recently retired Dan Binks – a legend in his own right) all combined for 100 IMSA wins.

100 IMSA wins are now in the record books, and Corvette Racing is hard at work on the second hundred.

Congratulations on a job well done. Here’s to 100 more.

Eddie LePine & Jack Webster

Jack Webster has been shooting motorsports since the early 1970’s, covering Formula One, CanAm, F5000, TransAm, GrandAm and American Le Mans races, among others. In addition to his photography, he has also worked on racing teams, both in IMSA and IndyCar, so has a complete knowledge of the inner workings of motorsport. Both his photography and writing can be seen here on racingnation.com. Eddie LePine has been involved in motorsports for over 30 years as photographer, columnist, and driver. Eddie also is now a retired racer (well, retired unless a good ride pops up). You can usually find Eddie in the paddock area, deep in conversation with a driver.

racingnation.com

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