Porsche Penske Motorsport caps the 2026 endurance season with victory at Road Atlanta as Porsche customer teams secure podium finishes in both GT classes
Porsche concluded the 2026 IMSA endurance season with a landmark performance at the “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta, as Porsche Penske Motorsport claimed overall victory while securing all three titles in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.
Factory drivers Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Matt Campbell brought the No. 6 Porsche 963 home first after a demanding 10-hour race marked by 16 safety car periods, changing conditions and a late sprint to the finish. Vanthoor crossed the line with a 1.205-second advantage, giving Porsche its first overall victory at Petit Le Mans since the start of the Porsche 963 program in 2023.
The result completed an exceptional endurance campaign for Porsche. For the first time, a manufacturer has won the major endurance races at Daytona, Sebring and Road Atlanta in the same season. Porsche also secured the manufacturers’, teams’ and drivers’ titles in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, which covers the championship’s long-distance rounds at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America and Road Atlanta.
“Congratulations to the entire team and to our drivers,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “That was an incredibly strong performance. This victory is historic. For the first time, Porsche has won the ‘Petit Le Mans’ in the top class with a prototype.”
The victory was decided in a tense final phase following the last caution period. Vanthoor successfully defended the lead against sustained pressure from his rivals and maintained his advantage to the checkered flag.
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s second Porsche 963, driven by Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich, had also been in contention for a strong result. However, the No. 7 car was forced to retire following contact with another competitor around 90 minutes before the finish. Porsche nevertheless ended the 2026 season second in the IMSA manufacturers’ standings.
The Porsche 963 has become the most successful racing car of the current LMDh era since the regulations were introduced in 2023. The hybrid prototype from Weissach has now accumulated 15 race victories and eight titles in North American competition.
Porsche customer teams also delivered strong performances at Road Atlanta. In the GTD Pro category, AO Racing’s No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R — known as “Rexy” for its distinctive dinosaur livery — fought at the front throughout the race. Drivers Nick Tandy, Harry King and Alessio Picariello eventually secured second place after a closely fought contest.
Another Porsche reached the podium in the GTD class. The No. 912 Porsche 911 GT3 R entered by Manthey 1st Phorm and driven by Ryan Hardwick, Riccardo Pera and Morris Schuring finished second after starting from the rear of the class and steadily working its way through the field during the 10-hour race.
The results placed Porsche on the podium in all three major classes it contested at Petit Le Mans and provided a fitting conclusion to a successful endurance season.
With victory at Road Atlanta and a clean sweep of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup titles, Porsche closes its 2026 North American endurance campaign with another significant chapter in its long motorsport history.
