Corvette by Pratt Miller captures elusive Detroit IMSA GT win
After waiting since 2008 for an IMSA points victory in the city, Corvette by Pratt Miller Motorsports finally conquered Detroit on Saturday. Alexander Sims and Antonio Garcia dominated the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic in their No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, leading 73 of 79 laps. But do not be fooled by the dominance; this was absolute madness behind the wheel.
Sims handled the opening 24 laps flawlessly from pole, but the race turned into a tactical and physical war when Garcia took over. Between navigating GTD PRO traffic, managing a loose side mirror, and tiptoeing through what felt like fluid on the track, Garcia was under immense pressure. A late-race skirmish with Jack Hawksworth in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus RC F GT3 nearly cost them the lead, but a timely full-course caution and subsequent penalty for the Lexus ensured Garcia crossed the line 1.935 seconds clear.
The final minutes were pure chaos, with Garcia describing the rearview scene as a "Mario Kart" event. While the No. 4 Corvette and the No. 15 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus clashed in Turn 3, and other incidents broke out elsewhere, the calm kept the podium alive for the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini Temerario GT3 of Andrea Caldarelli and Sandy Mitchell in second, and the No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3 of Frederic Vervisch and Christopher Mies in third. For Garcia, this win marks his 32nd in IMSA, while Sims adds his ninth.
