Corvette Racing Triumphs in Tense Finish at Detroit IMSA Classic

In a thrilling conclusion to the IMSA Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic, Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims of Corvette Racing almost let victory slip away. Despite appearing to dominate the race, the duo faced unexpected challenges in the final moments of the event held on the 1.645-mile street circuit.

Sims started strong, driving the #3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R from pole position and quickly establishing a lead over the competition. As the race approached the one-hour mark, he handed off to Garcia, who skillfully navigated through slower traffic. However, a late caution flag with just 20 minutes remaining put their lead at risk.

Following the restart, Garcia found his grip on the lead threatened when Jack Hawksworth of Vasser Sullivan Racing attempted a daring move into Turn 1, resulting in a collision that damaged Hawksworth's car. Race officials determined that the contact occurred just before the caution and ordered the drivers to swap positions, allowing Garcia to reclaim the lead and placing Hawksworth under a drive-thru penalty.

Garcia maintained his composure, ultimately finishing 1.935 seconds ahead of Andrea Caldarelli’s #9 Lamborghini Temerario GT3 from Pfaff Motorsports. “We really wanted this one,” Garcia expressed. “I think all the big bosses will be as happy as we are!”

Reflecting on the tense final laps, Garcia admitted, “It was super-stressful especially with the cars that were fighting for their lives.” Meanwhile, Sims described his earlier stint as “super-easy,” despite his pre-race nerves. “The Corvette was working so well for us in that first stint,” he noted, pleased with the car's performance.

The victory marks an important achievement for Corvette Racing, adding to their impressive legacy in the sport.