After 18 grueling months of inside stress, transition, and painful near-misses, Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) returned to win in emotional vogue on the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Highway America.
The crew delivered a outstanding efficiency throughout the 4.048-mile, 14-turn pure terrain street course, claiming victory and third place. The victory marked WTR’s first GTP-class triumph since turning into a manufacturing unit companion with Cadillac, and its first general win since June 2024 at Detroit—the ultimate victory of its period as Acura’s manufacturing unit program.
The outcome additionally carries main historic weight: it’s Wayne Taylor Racing’s 54th IMSA class win (sixth all-time), formally breaking a tie with sports activities automotive racing icons Brumos Racing and Champion Racing.
Drama on Monitor, Satisfaction on the Podium
Winner #10: Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing, Cadillac V-Collection.R, GTP: Filipe Albuquerque and Wayne Taylor, NBC TV interview through the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Highway America on August 2, 2026 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Photograph by: Photograph by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen by way of Getty Pictures
WTR fielded two Cadillac V-Collection.R entries: the #10 pushed by Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque, and the #40 piloted by Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz. The 2 vehicles ran first and second earlier than the No. 40 acquired a 60-second penalty for driving too rapidly close to security staff.
Regardless of the setback, WTR persevered to place each Taylor brothers on the rostrum.
“For me, the racing crew is like my household,” crew proprietor Wayne Taylor advised Motorsport.com. “And so once we do not get outcomes, I really feel like I’ve allow them to down. And all of the drivers, I really feel like I’ve allow them to down… To have each my sons on the rostrum, first and third, was one thing particular.”
Taylor did not cover his frustration concerning the race officiating, calling a 60-second time penalty “just about out of hand” when a regular drive-through would have sufficed.
“Once we spend a lot cash right here, it is simply fallacious,” Taylor mentioned. “However there’s not a lot I can actually do about it. It’s what it’s.”
Conquering the Drought and Self-Doubt
#10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Collection.R: Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Ross Gunn
Photograph by: Brandon Badraoui / Lumen by way of Getty Pictures
The victory comes after a difficult studying curve following WTR’s return to Common Motors beneath GM management—together with Mark Reuss (President), Eric Warren (VP, World Motorsports Competitors), and Jim Campbell (VP, Efficiency & Motorsports Industrial Operations). Adapting to the brand new platform required time, leaving drivers and administration questioning themselves through the winless streak.
In post-race interviews, Jordan Taylor admitted the drought led the drivers to doubt their very own skills. Wayne Taylor revealed {that a} candid dialog along with his son Ricky helped shift his perspective as a frontrunner.
“Ricky mentioned, ‘Dad, you do not perceive. We really feel the stress, too, as a result of we are the drivers. And we really feel like we’re not performing. So the stress you will have, do not underestimate the stress that we now have ourselves.’ Which actually made me notice that I have to do extra simply to maintain all people collectively, maintain all people constructive, and to maintain the eagerness. It will flip round.”
#10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Collection.R: Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque earlier this season.
Photograph by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Even for Taylor, whose motorsport profession spans 55 years—together with 35 as a driver—the extended stoop took a heavy psychological toll.
“There isn’t a doubt in any respect that these final 18 months have been the hardest,” Taylor mentioned.
“I’ve thought of it, and I discovered from Dan Gurney, he advised me, ‘By no means look again.’ And I began trying again, and I began considering, ‘That is fallacious. I am not presupposed to look again.’ However I used to be making an attempt to justify to myself that, sure, I ought to nonetheless be on this place as a result of have a look at all this stuff I did. However the reality of the matter is, what has been performed has been performed. I’ve received to look ahead and make extra championships and win extra.
“Groups go up and down, however this one has been so tough. After profitable the Daytona 24 Hours, between possession and drivers six instances and 10 championships, and all this stuff, you begin considering, ‘Perhaps I ought to simply retire.’ Perhaps I am the… I do not know. So I can inform you, there couldn’t be a better than excessive that I really feel proper now.”
With WTR lastly victorious for Cadillac, Taylor expressed reduction and gratitude in direction of the producer.
“Our relationship with Cadillac is what makes this all completely occur. And I am unable to thank them sufficient,” Taylor mentioned. “I can inform you, there couldn’t be a better than excessive that I really feel proper now. I’ve paid you now, a minimum of. So, I am f***ing joyful.”
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