Tom Blomqvist inherits podium finish at Watkins Glen

SAHLEN’S SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN

‍‍IMSA ROUND FIVE | WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL | JUNE 22 - 25‍

‍

‍Tom Blomqvist and his Meyer Shank Racing team crossed the line in 4th place before inheriting a podium finish, after the race winner was stripped of victory, in Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, the fifth round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

‍Getting off to a strong start in the fifth round, Tom and his MSR team led both practice sessions ahead of the race, but a bid for its second pole of the season was ended when a downpour soaked the circuit and cancelled Saturday’s qualifying. The GTP grid was set by championship points, putting MSR eighth on the grid.

Despite starting at the back of the GTP field, Sunday’s start saw Tom's teammate Colin Braun make up a position on the opening lap. Getting better fuel mileage than its competition, the team led three times for 10 laps, with Tom and Colin leading five laps apiece.

Braun handed the car off to Tom after a two-hour stint, with Blomqvist keeping the MSR Acura in podium contention for the majority of his stint. One hour and 40 minutes into his stint, Blomqvist returned to pit lane for a second driver change under the fourth full course caution.

Braun restarted the race second, putting the pressure on the leader for the entirety of his stint before turning the Acura back over Blomqvist to close out the final hour and 15-mins of the race.

Returning to the field fourth, Blomqvist did everything he could to cut into the margin of the leaders. Unfortunately, a final full-course caution was released with just 4-minutes remaining, ending the race under yellow.

Tom and the team crossed the finishing line in fourth but were later promoted to the podium places when the race-winning Porsche was stripped of victory after a technical infraction was discovered in post-race scrutineering.

Tom and Meyer Shank Racing next cross the border for the Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Sunday, July 9.

‍

"We weren’t quick enough when it mattered. Early on it seemed like we were okay, but the others really cranked it up at the end. They were mighty on out laps. We had a couple things not go our way, but we recovered, so it wasn’t the end of the world. It could have been a smoother race, but ultimately, we didn’t have the pace at the right times. We’ll look at it and improve for the next one."

- Tom Blomqvist

‍