After a number of heartbreaking defeats to start the 2026 marketing campaign within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Briton, together with co-driver Earl Bamber, had been lastly in a position to ship a breakthrough victory for the Whelen Cadillac on the streets of Detroit final Saturday.
Every of the opening 4 rounds noticed the #31 Cadillac V-Collection.R on the rostrum, together with three runner-up outcomes headlined by Aitken’s hard-fought battle with eventual winner Felipe Nasr (Porsche Penske Motorsport) within the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona.
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It was virtually a no-contest, nevertheless, when the group unloaded on the nine-turn, 1.645-mile short-term avenue circuit within the metro portion of Motor Metropolis, residence of Basic Motors (GM). The Whelen Cadillac topped each observe session, captured pole and was untouchable within the race, main 73 of 82 laps on the trail to victory.
“I feel it is a win that we have been looking for some time,” mentioned Aitken, who now has 4 IMSA wins in 27 begins. “Since this program began, with Detroit being residence for GM, Cadillac, so lots of the folks on this system. It was very significant and we have come shut with podiums, however yeah, to get the win.”
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The hometown win as additionally bolstered for GM as Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports, the #3 entry pushed by Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims, took victory in GTD Professional, which is one thing Bamber famous through the post-race press convention along with Aitken’s closing stint.
“Jack simply did a faultless drive to the tip, though it was fairly nervous with these yellows watching,” mentioned Bamber, who certified the #31 on pole and began the race. “It was an extended hour to look at, lots of pacing happening, however yeah, simply actually comfortable for Cadillac, and actually comfortable for the Corvette guys additionally to lastly get the win right here at our residence race.”
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Aitken echoed his teammate’s sentiment.
“And like Earl mentioned, on the identical day that the Corvettes managed to do the identical, it is fairly overwhelming, however wonderful,” Aitken mentioned.
“Very grateful to have the group round me that I do from Earl, who was simply unbelievable along with his tempo this weekend and from his pole place to handing me the automobile within the race within the lead. Made my life very simple, which is good. However the automobile was very spectacular as properly. You understand, we had an excellent automobile from the get go. The Whelen Cadillac guys actually, actually nailed it and like I mentioned, simply feeling very grateful proper now.”
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Aitken has contested every of the opening 5 races this season, with both Bamber or Frederik Vesti rotating in as his co-driver, which leaves him sitting alone on the prime of the championship standings. Aitken has 1,760 factors, 144 forward of Laurin Heinrich, who can be alone in second after being a part of the endurance rounds with Porsche Penske Motorsport earlier than a number of dash rounds with privateer JDC-Miller MotorSports, together with a win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca final month.
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