Watkins Glen, NY

  • #93 MMG Honda duo of Karl Wittmer and LP Montour win from pole
  • #89 HART scores a top five finish with Tyler Chambers and Chad Gilsinger

Honda returned to the top step of the podium at Watkins Glen International, as the #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR of Karl Wittmer and LP Montour claimed victory in the LP Building Solutions 120. The fifth round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season contained a great deal of action, with MMG ultimately putting on a triumphant showing.

The day prior, Montour secured the team’s second-consecutive pole position after teammate Wittmer did the same in the previous event in Mid-Ohio earlier this month. As the green flag waved, Montour held position and the team retained the lead for the first 29 laps of the race.

Though they briefly dropped back to fourth place shortly after the halfway mark following the team’s pit stop and driver change, once he took over for his stint, Wittmer was quick to move the Honda back up into the lead by lap 38.

While the race ultimately ended under a full caution, Wittmer took the checkered flag to bring home the win. MMG put on a dominant showing at Watkins Glen International, leading for a total of 49 laps throughout the 57-lap race.

MMG’s win contributed to a weekend sweep for Honda and Acura teams across IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and NTT INDYCAR SERIES—scoring pole position and victories in all three.

Out of the remaining Honda-powered entries, the #89 HART of Tyler Chambers and Chad Gilsinger finished fourth, recovering from contact from a competitor early in the race to score their third top-five result so far this season. The #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda of William Tally and Tim Lewis concluded the race in sixth.

LP Building Solutions 120 Honda Race Results

  • Finished 1st - #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR, Karl Wittmer, LP Montour
  • Finished 4th - #89 HART Honda Civic Type R TCR, Tyler Chambers, Chad Gilsinger
  • Finished 6th - #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR, William Tally, Tim Lewis

Quotes

Karl Wittmer (#93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished first: “That was incredible. We started off the weekend strong. All the sessions were well executed by everybody on the team. Our lap times remained competitive all the way through. When the green flag dropped, LP did a phenomenal stint and perfectly managed going through GS traffic. I jumped in, hit my fuel numbers and we all executed as planned. When good things happen, good outcomes come with it. I’m super pumped, and really happy with what we’ve achieved at HRC US and MMG.”

LP Montour (#93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished first: “I picked the perfect one to win. We did very well this weekend. We topped both practice sessions, qualified on pole, and led 90% of the race. MMG gave us a strong Honda. I think we had a great pit stop, I don’t know how the others were able to get out faster than us, but we were in the right place and Karl was able to fight back for the win. It’s special to get a win here before going to Canada for the next race. We're just looking to keep that momentum going.”

Next
Honda will return for the sixth round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, the two-hour Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120, on Saturday, July 12th at 1:20 PM ET.

HRC US social media content and video links can be found on: