SPEEDWAY, Ind. (September 23, 2024) — After six hours of high-intensity racing, we scored our third IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship podium of the 2024 season last weekend at the 2024 TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.
The No. 18 Oreca 07 was piloted this weekend by the trio of Connor Zilisch, Dwight Merriman, and Ryan Dalziel, the first time the trio shared the car since the third round of the season at Watkins Glen.
We came into our hometown event with high confidence after two days of practice the prior month, and despite taking some time to dial in the setup during Free Practice 1, by the end of the second practice the team got the No. 18 into a comfortable place and were the second fastest car by theoretical lap.
Sunday, the race began under cloud cover at 11:40 AM, and we began P8 on the LMP2 Grid. Despite having a dry track for the first few laps of the race, the weather soon took a turn for the worst, with a drizzle slowly turning into a downpour, causing multiple cautions before a near hour-long full course yellow was put into effect as track crew cleared standing water from the ever-increasing downpour.
Finally, as the race passed the 90-minute mark, teams prepared for green flag racing once again and Zilisch hoped in the car for his first stint, trying to gain a lap back on the leaders after the team was unlucky with pit strategy when the rain hit and tire changes came.
With Dalziel in the car at the halfway point, the Scotsman continued Zilisch’s push, moving the team all the way to fifth place on the lead lap by the end of his stint.
Finally, with just under an hour and a half left in the race, Zilisch got back in the car to finish the race and immediately set about passing car after car.
In his final stint, Zilisch went from fifth to second before a penalty from race control forced him to serve a drive-through penalty with 20 minutes left in the race, moving him back to third.
Zilisch held off the competition for the rest of the race and crossed the line third after 215 laps, totaling 523 miles for the team in the first Michelin Endurance Cup race at their home track.
“It was a long messy day, but still a good run to get our third podium of the year,” Zilisch said after the race ended.
“It’s pretty frustrating that we got that drive-through in the final stint that cost us second place, but still a good day overall. With all things considered, third place is probably something we should accept and be happy with, but it’s frustrating when you know you have a chance at at least second place, and maybe a chance at the win, and lose it because of a questionable call.
“But still a good day and a lot to be proud of, good points for the championship. We’ll go to Road Atlanta and try to win there!”
Dalzel mirrored Zilisch’s comments before celebrating with a champagne spray on the podium.
“All in all a good result,” he said. “Disappointed with the call on the penalty, I think it was undeserved. Would have been potentially a points-leading day, we still took points out of the 74, but after the penalty, we had the 52 take some points out of us, so good and bad.”
“I think it was a tough race for everybody, I think we did as many pit stops as we’d do in a 12-hour race or a 24-hour race in a six-hour race. Flawless stops from the guys, good car from the team, and just ready to go to Road Atlanta and see what we’ve got.”
While the LMP2’s podium was the highlight of the weekend, it wasn’t the only podium we earned. Fellow Indianapolis citizen Dan Clarke drove the No. 64 Reis-Nichols Motorsports car run by Era Motorsport to a podium finish in Race 12 of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, as well as a top-five in Race 11.
Clarke showed speed all weekend in the car, consistently being one of the top five fastest cars in each session.
“This was our home race this weekend. For myself, for the team, and for my sponsors. I’ve been fortunate to be on the podium each time we’ve raced here in Porsches since 2021 so I guess that increases the expectation. The team did a mega job making improvements since Road America, where we started together, ready for this weekend. Thanks also to Sabre, my teammate, for testing here and working through a bunch of setups to help us be stronger this weekend. It allowed the 64 Reis Nichols Motorsport car to qualify in the top 5 and run strong all weekend.”
"It’s been a hot weekend and I think every lap of both races I was being chased which makes races feel much longer. It’s all been worth it and I’m glad we secured some more points that I think moved us up to 5th place in the Championship. So we’ve been slowly clawing our way back up the standings after a poor start this year. Thank you to everyone at Era for that.”
On top of Clarke’s podium, Era Motorsport driver Sabré Cook took two top-ten finishes in the PCCNA races, earning eighth in Race 11, and repeating that result in Race 12. In addition to her usual sponsors at PenFed Credit Union and Privé, Cook picked up a local sponsor in the form of Tom Woods Porsche for this weekend’s racing.
“I really appreciate all the hard work everyone at Era has been putting in,” she said. “We’re learning each time and I’m happy we were able to secure two more top-10 finishes. It’s great to see Dan secure another podium for the team as well. It’s been a pleasure to learn from him this season, and I know we’re all hungry to keep moving up the grid.”
Team owner Kyle Tilley was happy with the performances all around at his hometown event.
“Honestly, a really great showing at the Battle on the Bricks this year,” he said. “Last year we were pretty disappointed after taking damage from another competitor, so to come back and podium this year despite the rain and the more difficult race felt really good. Obviously disappointed with the late drive-through penalty but it’s hard to complain about another podium!”
“I’m also really happy with where we’re at with the Carrera Cup program; it came together so soon before Road America that we were figuring things out on the fly. This weekend in comparison went very smoothly, and Sabré and Dan made great efforts. I’m very proud to be working with them.”
“As always a huge thanks goes out to both of our crews for all their hard work and figuring out so many things on the fly as these races are often so hectic. One more round left for the P2 and two more left for the Porsches, so we’re ready to finish strong!”
“I feel a special mention must go to our Workshop manager Matt Pollock, for his tireless work to revamp our existing trailer into a modern clean unit that we are proud to showcase our Carrera Cup program from. Staff, drivers, and sponsors all loved it!”
Era Motorsport maintains its position in the IMEC points standings after this weekend’s podium, and only has a two-point deficit to make up at next month's Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.