What a dramatic season finale of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship! The Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta really picked up speed in the last of ten racing hours, giving BMW M Team RLL an emotional rollercoaster. Philipp Eng, Jesse Krohn, and Augusto Farfus were in contention for a podium finish thanks to a late safety car phase. However, a tyre failure just before the end dropped the trio to fourth place. Paul Miller Racing and the driver trio of Madison Snow, Bryan Sellers, and Neil Verhagen secured the title in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup with a seventh-place finish in the GTD PRO class.
The #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, the winning car from the IMSA race in Indianapolis a few weeks ago, started from ninth position and fell out of the lead lap in the early hours due to a collision for which they were not at fault. It was only in the last hour of the race that the car managed to get back on the lead lap during a safety car phase. Final driver Eng found himself in third position with the leading duo right in front of him. However, instead of being able to challenge for a second consecutive win, he had to pit again due to a slow puncture. His lead over the pursuers was large enough that he was able to finish in fourth place. A good result, but more could have been possible.
The sister car, number 25, had a strong start from third place in the early stages. However, after about four hours, the race was over for Connor De Phillippi, Nick Yelloly, and Maxime Martin due to a technical problem with the fuel supply.
Paul Miller Racing had a reason to celebrate, securing the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup title in the GTD PRO class with their #1 BMW M4 GT3 in its debut year in this category, despite finishing seventh in the race. This championship includes the endurance races at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis, and Road Atlanta. In the GTD class, the Turner Motorsport #96 BMW M4 GT3, driven by Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, and Jake Walker, finished tenth.
It's a shame that we narrowly missed the podium with car number 24 at the season finale. However, there are many positives. With our double victory in Indianapolis and the performance here at Road Atlanta, we've shown a strong upward trend at the end of the season. We need to carry this momentum into the winter break.
I'm proud that over the course of the season, we managed to be fully competitive in the hunt for victories. We learned a lot in every race, and we couldn't implement all of it this season. Therefore, I'm optimistic and looking forward to a good year 2025 for BMW M Team RLL.
Driver statements:
Jesse Krohn (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, 4th place): “It was a long race with a lot happening for us right from the start. We were a lap down for most of the race and only managed to get it back at the very last moment. Philipp had the podium and even the win in sight and tried everything, but unfortunately, it wasn't to be this time. That's racing. Looking back on the season, it was great to see the progress we've made thanks to the extremely hard work of BMW M Team RLL and BMW M Motorsport. The highlight was, of course, the double win in Indianapolis. Thanks to everyone who made that possible.”
Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, DNF): “Petit Le Mans is a fantastic event, and despite the early retirement, I really enjoyed the weekend again. It's a pity we couldn't finish the race due to our technical issues because the car felt good during my long stint. The traffic on the track was crazy, but it was still a lot of fun. I thank BMW M Team RLL and BMW M Motorsport for their efforts this weekend and throughout the entire season.”
Neil Verhagen (#1 BMW M4 GT3, Paul Miller Racing, 7th place GTD PRO class): “It was an incredible season in the Endurance Cup. To win the title in my first IMSA season, and with this great team, is fantastic. Thanks to the team and BMW M Motorsport for trusting me. I'm already looking forward to everything that the new season will bring.”