What to Watch For: Monterey SportsCar Championship – Streaks, Legacies, and New Faces at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship turns to California’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for its fourth round, the Monterey SportsCar Championship—a race steeped in motorsport lore. Since 1957, this natural terrain road course has tested drivers and machines with its flowing turns, dramatic elevation changes, and the iconic “Corkscrew” (Turns 8-8a), a 120-foot drop that demands precision. After opening the season with Daytona’s 24-hour endurance test, Sebring’s rough 12-hour battle, and Long Beach’s tight street sprint, Laguna Seca offers the first true “driver’s track” of 2025—where nuance and car control separate contenders from also-rans.

This year’s field features 36 entries across three classes: 11 Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) hybrids (the championship’s top tier), 10 Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) pro-driven GT race cars, and 15 Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) entries (pro-am GT3 machines). Speed differentials—GTP cars lap 10-15 seconds faster than GTD—will add complexity to the two-hour, 40-minute race, forcing teams to navigate traffic and time strategies around cautions. For fans, it’s a showcase of sports car diversity; for competitors, a test of adaptability.

Triple Streaks: Porsche’s GTP Dominance vs. BMW’s Pole Prowess

In 2025, “three” is the magic number for two German GTP powerhouses—and the question looms: How long can their runs last?

Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 7 Porsche 963 (drivers Nick Tandy, Felipe Nasr) has won the first three races: Daytona, Sebring, and Long Beach. It’s a streak built on execution: surviving Daytona’s attrition, dominating Sebring’s rain, and overtaking BMW late at Long Beach. The only blemish? A third-place finish for its sister No. 6 car at Daytona.

“Laguna Seca rewards balance—front grip for the Corkscrew, stability under braking for Turn 2, power up Turn 9’s hill,” Tandy said. “We’ve tested here, but racing is different. The streak isn’t our focus; podiums are.”

BMW M Team RLL, meanwhile, owns qualifying: Dries Vanthoor has claimed the first three Motul Pole Awards in the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8, setting records at Daytona and Long Beach. Yet race wins have eluded the team (second at Daytona, third at Sebring, fourth at Long Beach).

This weekend carries extra weight for BMW, as co-owner Bobby Rahal marks his 50th year at Laguna Seca (debuting in 1976 Formula Atlantic) and serves as Grand Marshal. “Last year, we had pace but messed up strategy,” Rahal said. “Qualifying speed isn’t enough—we need to manage tires, traffic, fuel. This is our shot to break through.”

Standing in their way: Acura (nine Laguna wins, including 2023 GTP victory) and Cadillac (2024 winner). Both have shown speed this season, eager to end the German duopoly.

Porsche’s GT Reign: Five Years and Counting

Porsche’s GTP success grabs headlines, but its GT dominance at Laguna Seca is equally impressive: five straight years with at least one GT class win. The brand’s ties to the track run deep—from annual Rennsport Reunions to its recent “official car” designation. This year, two teams carry Porsche’s hopes: AO Racing (GTD PRO) and Wright Motorsports (GTD).

AO Racing’s No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R (“Roxy,” filling in for “Rexy”) arrives on a roll: GTD win at Sebring, GTD PRO win at Long Beach. Drivers Laurin Heinrich and Seb Priaulx won GTD PRO here in 2024. “Last year, we fought for every position,” Heinrich said. “The 911 GT3 R’s balance through the Corkscrew is unmatched—we know how to win here.”

Wright Motorsports’ No. 120 Porsche (Adam Adelson, Elliott Skeer) sits fourth in GTD points, fresh off a 2024 Indianapolis win. “Laguna is about rhythm,” Skeer said. “Adam keeps the car clean; I push. Traction control and brake balance are key—no lockups in the Corkscrew. A win here would close the points gap.”

Porsche isn’t alone in GT success: Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports has seven Laguna class wins. Drivers Antonio Garcia (three wins), Tommy Milner (three), and Alexander Sims (one) lead the charge. Last year, Garcia and Nicky Catsburg qualified 1-2 in GTD PRO with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R but finished 3-5 after a late caution.

“Last year was a learning curve—we had pace but messed up tire strategy,” Sims said. “This year, we’ve tested more and know the Z06’s needs. We’re due for a win, and Laguna is the place.”

Corvette’s customer teams also chase glory: AWA Racing (GTD Z06 GT3.R) won Daytona and heads to Le Mans next month. “Laguna is my favorite track—you can’t rush it,” said driver Orey Fidani (2024 Bob Akin Award winner). “This is our last race before Le Mans; we want to send a message.”

DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette features a new pairing: Robert Wickens (returning after Long Beach) and Alec Udell (full-time for the rest of the season). “Robert and I drive smoothly—key for Laguna,” Udell said. “Communication on tire wear will make or break us.”

New Pairings: Fresh Faces Step In

Four new driver pairings add intrigue—one in GTP, three in GT classes—each with stakes to prove.

In GTP, Frederik Vesti substitutes for Earl Bamber in Action Express Racing’s No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R (Bamber has a conflict). Vesti, a Danish rising star, tested at Laguna after the team shifted plans from Watkins Glen to prep for Le Mans. “I’ve studied data nonstop—Laguna’s new surface is tricky,” Vesti said. “My job is to keep the car on the lead lap for co-driver Pipo Derani.”

Team strategist Peter Baron added: “Testing here gave us critical data. Frederik learns fast; Pipo is a Laguna expert. We’re here to win.”

In GTD, Heart of Racing Team reunites with Darren Turner (three-time Le Mans class winner, 2023 Daytona GTD champ) to partner Casper Stevenson in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. “IMSA is hyper-competitive—I’m thrilled to be back,” Turner said. “Casper is talented; we’ll click quickly. The Aston is strong here.”

DXDT’s Wickens/Udell pairing (GTD) blends Wickens’ resilience with Udell’s GT experience: “We need to align on setup changes—Laguna doesn’t forgive mistakes,” Udell said.

In GTD PRO, Marvin Kirchhoefer fills in for injured Ben Barnicoat in Vasser Sullivan Racing’s No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3, partnering Aaron Telitz. Kirchhoefer won Daytona’s GTD class this year with AWA. “Ben is a friend—I’m honored to step in,” he said. “Aaron and I tested well; the Lexus has pace here. We want to keep the team in the points fight.”