Corvette Racing wins 2020 IMSA GTLM championships at Laguna Seca

Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor’s 2nd place finish at Laguna Seca clinched the 2020 GTLM Drivers and Team titles in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in front of zero fans as tight restrictions are still enforced in California.

At Laguna Seca, the very first priority is a sound plan to control tire wear to deal with the abrasive surface and dust that makes the track slippery.

Starting from pole, Taylor led for 16 laps in the # 3 C8.R before stopping for fresh tires under a three-stop strategy. 

With little to gain and a lot at stake, the # 3 played it safe, re-cycling behind the winning # 912 Porsche of Earl Bamber for the most part.

Oliver Gavin in the # 4 C8.R pitted 5 laps later, hedging the bet with a two-stop strategy.

With the manufacturers’ championship in sight, they switched to a three-stop strategy keyed off their BMW rivals.  To win it, the 2 Corvettes now simply need to start the Sebring 12-hour race 2 weeks hence.

Gavin took 3rd when a caution flag bunched up the field with about 25 minutes to race.

But IMSA officials at post-race inspection ruled a height-infraction with the rear diffuser and scored the car last (6th place).

Popular stalwart Oliver Gavin, 48 announced his retirement, chalking up an 18-year career as one of the most successful drivers on the Corvette Racing team.   https://www.corvetteracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/OliverGavin.pdf

Race Results compiled by Wayne Ellwood

Photos by Richard Prince

Corvette Racing and the all-new C8.R close out a fantastic season at the 12 Hrs of Sebring on Nov 13-14.