The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. The 100Thieves Lexus won the GTD Pro IMSA race Saturday. Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth celebrate.(Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
Patrick Long in the 1983 Williams FW 08C during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Patrick Long in the 1983 Williams FW 08C during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Chris Locke in the Lotus 77 during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Tim DeSilva in the Alfa Romeo 182 during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Zak Brown in the Williams FW07, left, and Doug Mockett in the Penske PC4 during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Cal Meeker in the Tyrrell 009 during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Jack Hawksworth, left, and Ben Barnicoat, drivers of the Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 car (14), celebrate after winning the IMSA GT Daytona Pro category during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Podium finishers in the IMSA GT Daytona Pro category: Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, center, Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. GTD, left, Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), right, celebrate following the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mathieu Jaminet, left, and Nick Tandy, drivers of the Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype, celebrate after winning the IMSA GTP category during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Podium finishers in the IMSA GTP category: Porsche Penske Motorsport (6), center, BMW M Team RLL (25), left, and Porsche Penske Motorsports (7), right, during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Ben Barnicoat, left, and Jack Hawksworth, drivers of the Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 car (14), celebrate after winning the IMSA GT Daytona Pro category during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mathieu Jaminet, left, and Nick Tandy, drivers of the Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype, celebrate after winning the IMSA GTP category during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Bud Moeller in the Williams FW08 during the Historic F1 Challenge race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mathieu Jaminet, left, and Nick Tandy, drivers of the Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype, celebrate after winning the IMSA GTP category during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Madison Snow, left, and Bryan Sellers, drivers of the Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 car celebrate after winning the IMSA GT Daytona category during of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Podium finishers in the IMSA GT Daytona category: Paul Miller Racing, center, Heart of Racing Team, left, and Vasser Sullivan, right, celebrate after the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Madison Snow, left, and Bryan Sellers, right, drivers of the Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 car wave to fans as they are driven to a press conference following their win in the IMSA GT Daytona category during of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. Penske Porsche car 6 won the IMSA GTP division.(Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. Penske Porsche car 6 won the IMSA GTP division.(Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. Penske Porsche car 6 won the IMSA GTP division.(Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. The 100Thieves Lexus won the GTD Pro IMSA race Saturday. Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth catch a ride back to the paddock with the first place trophy.(Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. The 100Thieves Lexus won the GTD Pro IMSA race Saturday. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. The 100Thieves Lexus won the GTD Pro IMSA race Saturday. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
The 48th Annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Saturday April 15, 2023. A late afternoon run of the Stadium Super Trucks had the crowd cheering. (Photo by contributing photographer Chuck Bennett)
Racing action for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race during day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype car (6), left, during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Racing action for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race during day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype car (6) during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype car (7) during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype car (6) during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Corvette Racing GT Daytona car (3) during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Porsche Penske Motorsport Grand Touring Prototype car (6) during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on day two of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
LONG BEACH — Small mistakes meant big consequences on Saturday.
Ricky Taylor went for the win but ended up in the wall, and Mathieu Jaminet raced to the checkered flag at the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix of Long Beach.
“In the end, if I was him I think I do the same,” Jaminet said. “With two (laps) to go you have to go. It’s not every day you have a chance at Long Beach, and fortunately it worked out for us.”
Taylor used the day’s quickest pit stop to push for the lead, and after jumping into second place on Lap 69, was on the tail of Jaminet’s No. 6 Porsche 963 in the final 2 minutes of the 100-minute race.
“I saw him closing and I thought, ‘Here we go,’” Jaminet said. “He was close and I tried to do no mistakes.”
Jaminet did not hold off Taylor, who swung inside on Turn 1 on Lap 75 but was unable to correct his No. 10 Acura ARX-06 before slamming into the tire barrier as Jaminet throttled past.
“I kind of saw it coming. He had fresh tires and it made sense that with 2 minutes left that he would go for it,” Jaminet said. “I saw him lock up his brakes and get in the fence, and I just went through.”
Jaminet cruised to the finish for his first IMSA victory of the season, teaming with Nick Tandy to win by 0.903 seconds. It’s the first victory for the Porsche 963 anywhere in the world.
“To get a result and get some trophies is amazing and a testament to the hard work across the globe,” Tandy said. “We wanted to do something different and we made some great decisions because they paid off.”
Nick Yelloly and Connor De Phillippi finished second in their BMW M Hybrid V8 in the GTP class. Felipe Nasr and Matt Campbell were third, giving Porsche two Top-3 finishers.
“To come here and get a podium place feels quite nice, I have to say,” Yelloly said. “Connor, in the last little bit (of the race), gave everything.”
Taylor’s teammate, Filipe Albuquerque, won the pole on Friday in 1 minute, 9.909 seconds, and after starting behind the wheel, Albuquerque swapped out for Taylor, who challenged directly for the lead.
Battling Campbell for second place at the 90-minute mark, Taylor dove right to get by Campbell and cling onto Jaminet, who drove defensively for long enough to force Taylor into a mistake.
“We tried to be smart with our strategy and take our opportunities when we had them, and I think that’s what our team did,” Jaminet said.
Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat led from start to finish on top of the GTP Pro class.
“Today we had a car to win and we won,” said Hawksworth, who was second at Long Beach last year. “It was a perfect weekend for us.”
Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow made a quick pit to win their second consecutive IMSA GT Daytona class race of the season, and their third consecutive at Long Beach.
“Our race was decided in the pits, and once we got out in front it’s really hard for someone to pass you here,” Sellers said.
BOURDAIS CRASHES OUT EARLY
Sebastien Bourdais, one of the most successful drivers in the history of American open-wheel racing, started but did not complete a lap of the IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The four-time Champ Car champion, Bourdais locked up his brakes, spun out and crashed on Lap 1. He was evaluated at the care center and released.
Bourdais, who last April set the track qualifying record of 1 minute, 9.472 seconds (101.980 mph) to grab the pole at last year’s IMSA SportsCar race in Long Beach, has raced full time in IMSA since leaving IndyCar in 2022.
BRABHAM WINS SUPER TRUCKS
Three-time series champion Matt Brabham claimed his 25th career win in the Speed/UTV Stadium Super Trucks Round 1 race.
Brabham held off a late charge from Orange native Robby Gordon, the pole sitter and series creator.
“I tried to save my tires but so did (Brabham), and I had nothing left for him at the end,” Gordon said.
Newport Beach native Gavin Harlien, last year’s series champion, took third.
PHENOM PACES PORSCHE CUP
20-year-old Riley Dickinson, who edged Tom Sargent by less than one-tenth of a second to take the pole on Friday, bested Sargent to win the Porsche Carrera Cup Round 1 race.
Jason Hart spun out with 19 laps completed and was hammered by Michael McCarthy to bring out the caution with 7 minutes remaining, paving the way for Dickinson.
It’s the third win of the season for Dickinson, who won both races at Sebring International Raceway in Florida last month.
