Full Breakdown
Acura Meyer Shank Racing Stripped of Pole Position at Indianapolis
9/21/2025, 3:58:22 AM
Technical Violation Leads to Disqualification
The No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06, driven by Tom Blomqvist, was disqualified from its pole position for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway due to a technical violation identified during post-qualifying inspection. The car failed to meet the bodywork tolerances specified in the LMDh technical regulations, specifically Article 3.11.2, which allows a maximum tolerance of three millimeters. As a result, Blomqvist and co-driver Colin Braun will start the race from the rear of the 12-car GTP field.
This disqualification has significant implications for the race, as it promotes the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series R, driven by Jack Aitken, to pole position. Aitken's qualifying time of 1:14.610 was just 0.041 seconds slower than Blomqvist's nullified time of 1:14.569. The front row will also feature the No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac of Louis Deletraz, who qualified second, and the sister No. 10 WTR entry of Ricky Taylor in third.
Cadillac's Strong Performance
The disqualification marks a pivotal moment for Cadillac, which achieved a 1-2-3 lockout in the GTP class for the first time this season. This is a notable turnaround for the manufacturer, as their last pole position in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship was at the 2024 Motul Petit Le Mans. Aitken expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating, “I think all the Cadillacs showed pretty well... I think we’re in a good place.”
Criticism and Reactions
The incident has drawn attention to the stringent nature of technical regulations within IMSA. Critics argue that such strict enforcement can undermine the competitive spirit of the sport. Blomqvist, reflecting on the situation, noted, “Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get to that point in IndyCar... but nonetheless, I'm super happy and I have no real regrets.” Meanwhile, Acura Meyer Shank Racing had been on a strong streak, having secured four consecutive poles prior to this event.
Additional Qualifying Highlights
In the LMP2 class, Nick Boulle secured pole position for United Autosports with a time of 1:17.846, leading a front-row lockout for the team. In the GTD Pro class, Dan Harper claimed pole for Paul Miller Racing with a lap of 1:23.259, while Casper Stevenson took pole in the GTD class with a time of 1:23.088, marking his first career pole in IMSA competition.
What's Next
The six-hour Battle on the Bricks is set to commence at 11:40 a.m. EST on Sunday, with live coverage available on Peacock and NBC. The race will be a critical event for teams as they vie for points in the championship standings, particularly with the season nearing its conclusion.
