Winward Racing Wins Third IMSA GTD Title at Petit Le Mans

Winward Racing clinched its third consecutive Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) championship, securing the title with a victory at the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship finale, the Motul Petit Le Mans, at Road Atlanta. Drivers Philip Ellis, Russell Ward, and Indy Dontje piloted the #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 to the checkered flag.

The championship was effectively decided early in the race as key rivals encountered significant issues. The #27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, second in points entering the weekend, suffered an overnight engine change and started from the pit lane. The car fell over 60 laps behind before retiring. Turner Motorsport's #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, the other main contender, experienced a race-ending water-pressure problem shortly after the green flag.

Despite the championship being secured, the battle for the race win remained intense. Philip Ellis, driving the #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3, faced strong pressure from Riccardo Pera in the #912 Porsche 911 GT3 R before making a decisive pass on Lap 320. Ellis overtook Lilou Wadoux in the #21 AF Corse USA Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO.

A late full-course caution impacted the GTD leaders' fuel strategies, aiding Ellis in managing his car's energy through the final restart. "Until the yellow came out, we knew we had no chance of making it," Ellis said. "With the yellow, there was a very slim chance. We had to have the prototypes lap us for one." Ellis added that he saved fuel on the final laps, telling his engineer he would stay out and hope for a yellow or that his fuel would last.

The victory capped a remarkable comeback for Ellis and team owner-driver Russell Ward, with Dontje joining for endurance races. The team achieved four wins and a second-place finish in the final five races of the season. Ward credited the team's mechanics for their dedication, especially after an incident at Watkins Glen. "Hats off to the dedicated group of people," Ward said. "When we got taken out at Watkins Glen, involved in the incident between the #70 car and the #13, I mean, us three drivers were pretty sorry in the paddock, looking at the car, watching the mechanics just jump all over it."

The team's performance also secured Mercedes-AMG the manufacturer's championship.