The remains of Jack Aitken’s Action Express Racing Cadillac after clashing with Team Penske Porsche driver Kevin Estre.
The six-hour race produced one of the wildest IMSA races in recent memory, punctuated by a clash between podium contenders Kevin Estre and Jack Aitken.
The pair collided approaching the first turn with just 10 minutes to go, which speared Aitken’s Action Express Racing Cadillac off the road at high speed and into the wall.
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Estre’s Penske Motorsport Porsche also came off second-hand as it went off and into the wall.
They had been running second and third respectively. Neither car finished, with Estre provisionally classified eighth and Aitken ninth.
In his post-race comments, Aitken questioned the driving standards of his rivals.
“I think it’s a real shame because despite maybe not being quite where we wanted to be in terms of pace, the guys ran a really fantastic race and we managed to put ourselves in the fight for a win and a podium,” said Aitken.
“And I just think that the driving by some of the others around us was over the line.
“Like I said, it’s a shame because a lot of effort goes into these days and we could have had another good result to go on the back of a really strong year, but we’ll pick up the pieces, move on and crack on with the last two races.
“Obviously, fantastic that the 10 got the win and closed that out. Really happy for them. And we’ll come back stronger in Indianapolis.”
Estre took some of the blame for the race-ending clash.
“So, a DNF for us in the last 10 minutes of the race,” Estre said on social media.
“We were fighting for a podium, but on the restart the #31 tried to do a move on the left side on the outside in Turn 1.
“He just had his nose here. I could have left a little more room, he could have backed off as well. I don’t think there’s 100 percent fault to give to anyone, but for sure I should have, could have given a little room to the left.
“We had contact as soon as we hit the brakes and then we were both passengers I think and ended up in the barriers and that’s it.
“It’s sad because we did a great race until there. One thing is for sure is that we have to drive like maniacs to be in that position at the moment. That’s the way it is.”
The Action Express Racing Cadillac drew widespread criticism on social media during the race for another incident involving the other Team Penske Porsche.
Aitken got into the back of Tijmen van der Helm, tipping the #7 Porsche 963 into a spin at Turn 6.
Despite what appeared to be a slam dunk case of avoidable contact, Aitken escaped punishment.
Porsche driver Laurens Vanthoor, who shared the #6 Porsche 963 with Estre, took to social media with a pointed post.
The Action Express Racing is owned by NASCAR CEO Jim France, who also owns the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Who is the owner of the #31 Cadillac actually? 🤔
— Laurens Vanthoor (@VanthoorLaurens) August 2, 2026
Cadillac and Porsche were at the centre of the chaos. There was another scary moment for the #7 Porsche 963, which took evasive action at Turn 6 to miss trackside workers.
That entry was given a one-minute stop-and-go penalty for overdriving under full course yellow.
There were more than 40 penalties delivered over the course of six-hour race, including once that denied New Zealand’s Hunter McElrea a potential podium.
McElrea’s co-driver Mikkel Jensen in the #2 United Autosports entry collided with the sister #22 car driven by Paul Di Resta out of the final turn.
Di Resta spun and hit the inside wall. They finished seventh while third place became ninth for McElrea, Jensen and Phil Fayer
“Motorsport should be a non-contact sport. Sometimes it happens, but it shouldn’t happen between teammates,” said United Autosports CEO and team principal Richard Dean.
“We didn’t just lose valuable podium positions & points today, we threw away our championship campaign.
“I feel bad for the entire team who fought hard to get back into contention and into a race-winning position.
“They had given the drivers a fast car as proven by our pole position and our race pace.”
Scott Andrews was Australia’s top performer in sixth in the GTD class Lone Star Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Compatriot and fellow GTD class driver Tom Sargent suffered a heavy crash at Turn 11 in the Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“Following an incident on track, Tom has since been seen and released from the infield medical centre,” the team said in a statement.
“Thank you to IMSA and Road America’s safety and medical teams for their quick response and care. We greatly appreciate all the support.”
The race was won outright by Ricky Taylor and Felipe Albuquerque in their Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac.
It was the first time since 2024 on the streets of Detroit that the pair stood on the top step of the podium together.
“As you know, we’ve been having such a hard time,” said team owner Wayne Taylor.
“It’s very much in my stomach. As long as you keep working harder, digging deeper and pushing everybody, it does happen. Today was just tremendous.”
The IMSA SportsCar Championship continues at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 21 for the Battle on the Bricks.