Full Breakdown
IMSA Unveils Entry Lists for the 2026 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
10/10/2025, 5:04:11 AM
Overview of the 2026 Entry Lists
During the annual IMSA State of the Series conference at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, IMSA President John Doonan announced the full-season entry lists for the 2026 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Michelin Endurance Cup. The 2026 season will feature 45 confirmed entries across four categories: Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO), and Grand Touring Daytona (GTD). The Michelin Endurance Cup will see an increase to 54 cars competing in its five rounds.
Breakdown of Entries by Class
The GTP class will showcase 11 cars from five manufacturers: Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Aston Martin. Notably, BMW M Team WRT will field two BMW M Hybrid V8 entries, while Porsche Penske Motorsport will bring two 963s after exiting the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class.
The LMP2 category remains robust with 12 full-season entries from 11 teams, including United Autosports USA, CrowdStrike Racing by APR, and others. The GTD PRO class will feature eight full-season entries, with Corvette Racing and Ford Multimatic Motorsports each fielding two cars, while the GTD class will have 14 full-season entries from various teams, including Vasser Sullivan Racing and Heart of Racing Team.
Notable Changes and New Entries
Manthey Racing will make its debut in the IMSA series, entering two Porsche 911 GT3 R cars in both the GTD PRO and GTD classes for the Michelin Endurance Cup. This expansion follows their successful history in the FIA World Endurance Championship, where they have achieved significant victories.
Additionally, Team RLL, which has concluded its long-standing partnership with BMW, is in discussions to secure a new manufacturer for a potential GTD PRO or LMP2 entry. Random Vandals Racing is also working to finalize its participation in the 2026 season, aiming for a full-season GTD PRO effort with BMW.
Official Statements & Responses
John Doonan emphasized the competitive nature of the upcoming season, stating, “Once again, the quality and quantity of cars and teams is on display for the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.” He expressed gratitude to the teams for their commitment to IMSA, highlighting the series' appeal and the anticipation for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which is expected to feature over 60 cars.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the excitement surrounding the 2026 entry lists, some teams, including Random Vandals Racing and Team RLL, have faced challenges in confirming their entries. Paul Sparta, principal of Random Vandals, noted unforeseen complications that have delayed their announcement, emphasizing their ongoing partnership with BMW.
What's Next
As the 2026 season approaches, further entries may be confirmed, with IMSA indicating that additional full-season and Michelin Endurance Cup entries could be added. The Rolex 24 at Daytona, set for January 21-25, 2026, will mark the official start of the season, with teams preparing for a highly competitive year ahead.
