A run of a number of cautions within the remaining hour and 20 minutes threw gasoline saving out the window and set up a memorable fight for glory in the endurance classic, which performed into the fingers of Deletraz.
The 26-year-old Swiss driver sported a set of barely more energizing tires on the No. 40 Acura ARX-06 for Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti, than Bourdais, who did not tackle a brand new set of rubber after their respective remaining pit stops.
Lining up third, Deletraz made fast work of the Felipe Nasr within the No. 7 Penske Porsche 963 and started to stalk the No. 01 Cadillac V-Collection.R of Bourdais. By a number of restarts after two temporary warning intervals, the ultimate quarter-hour noticed Deletraz inching nearer with a transparent benefit below braking on nook entry.
With lower than six minutes remaining, Deletraz went ‘full ship’ into Flip 7 and the 2 remained tangled as they used up each inch of floor on the monitor – and one another – in an effort to take management of the race. After making contact on a number of events as they went wheel-to-wheel by the slender part of the 17-turn, 3.74-mile circuit, however it was Deletraz that was capable of pull forward.
Bourdais tried to claw again, however it wasn’t sufficient as Deletraz surged to victory by 0.891s after 12 hours and 333 laps.
“Each time I obtained shut, there was a yellow just about, which isn’t serving to me,” mentioned Deletraz.
“I noticed I used to be robust on braking, particularly the low pace, T7, T10. He was shut, defending properly on the within. I used to be on the skin, he squeezed me off. I spotted shortly I used to be by no means going to make it on the skin, which truthful sufficient. It is IMSA racing, it is robust.
#01 Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac V-Collection.R: Renger van der Zande, Sebastien Bourdais, Scott Dixon
Photograph by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
“I considered it, noticed a spot in (Flip) 7. I went for it. Bleed off the brake, attempt to keep away from him crossing again. I feel we had extra contact on the straight. Once more, onerous racing, however I feel truthful. We each made it to the flag. I could not have achieved it on my own. If he did not respect me, we would each be within the wall. Actually grateful for that.”
This was solely the second time Deletraz was tasked with closing a race, with the primary being the Daytona 24 Hours in January. In the end, he delivered the primary win for Acura, which additionally stood because the second for Honda Racing Company (previously Honda Efficiency Improvement).
Alongside co-drivers Colton Herta and Jordan Taylor, it additionally marked the primary time since 2017 {that a} Wayne Taylor Racing machine went to Victory Lane.
“It meant quite a bit,” Deletraz mentioned. “First I wish to say an enormous thanks to the group, Acura, HRC, the 2 guys proper right here [Colton and Jordan]. Clearly with out them it was not attainable.
“The automobile was actually robust ultimately. I knew we had been ready to win, which to be truthful was lots of strain. I’ve by no means actually achieved that. Daytona was my first time. That is my second time ending a race.
“I simply clearly needed to win and convey factors for the championship. I noticed I had the chance. Seb was robust, however truthful, so due to him. Yeah, ultimately I noticed the hole. I went for it, I had extra tempo and we gained. That is unbelievable. I feel I am going to bear in mind this one for a very long time.”
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