Jack Aitken dominates Watkins Glen with new GTP record
It was never really a contest for the top spot. Jack Aitken put on a masterclass at Watkins Glen International, shattering the GTP track record with a lap of 1 minute, 31.284 seconds. This wasn't just a quick run; it was a statement of intent, leaving the rest of the field to fight for second place on the grid. This marks his second pole of the 2026 season and the 35th for Cadillac since 2017.
The front row will look familiar to those who remember last year’s dramatic finish, as Tom Blomqvist put the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian machine just 0.197 seconds behind Aitken. Louis Deletraz rounded out a strong showing for Cadillac, securing the third fastest time in the No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing entry, a mere 0.006 seconds adrift of Blomqvist. Despite mid-session track modifications at the inner loop, Aitken kept his cool, focusing on a clean, steady lap rather than gambling on the new curbing.
In the LMP2 class, the qualifying battle was just as electric. Jeremy Clarke snatched the pole for Inter Europol Competition in the No. 43 ORECA LMP2 07, posting a 1 minute, 35.124 seconds lap late in the session. He narrowly edged out PJ Hyett in the No. 99 AO Racing entry by 0.164 seconds, capping off a tight session where the top four were separated by only 0.753 seconds. With the defending race winners, United Autosports USA, starting third, Sunday’s six-hour contest is shaping up to be a tactical war.
