GTP LONG BEACH POST RACE REPORT

The Cadillac WTR teams were poised for a “Shoreline Showdown” as they took to the first street course of the year.

The streets of SoCal were filled with excitement as the Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R duo showcased 100 minutes of sprint racing action to kick off the regular schedule of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Cadillac WTR teams were poised for a “Shoreline Showdown” as they took to the first street course of the year.

Louis Deletraz led the charge in Qualifying for Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing to start third on the grid in the No. 40 Cadillac WTR V-Series.R GTP, his career-best GTP start in Long Beach. Two-time Long Beach winner, Filipe Albuquerque, started Saturday’s race from ninth position in the No. 10 Cadillac WTR V-Series.R. As the green flag flew, it was heads down to gain positions on track for both drivers. Other than a short yellow for debris early in the race, the first half of Saturday’s sprint ran relatively straightforward. Taking a strategy gamble, Albuquerque and the No. 10 team came to pit lane 20 minutes into the race to top off on fuel in an effort to not have to save at the end of the race. The clear track and fresh fuel allowed Albuquerque to run some of the fastest lap times on track and gain positions before their pit stop.

For both Cadillac WTR teams, the chose the overcut strategy and were aiming to stay out as long as possible in hopes of leap-frogging track positions. Right near the window in which the teams were planning to pit, an unlucky and untimely full course caution fell, halting the progress for both Cadillac WTR teams. Pitting under the caution, Jordan Taylor took over the No. 40 while Ricky Taylor stepped into the No. 10 for the under one hour remaining. Limited time and options for passing, the Taylor brothers faced a difficult challenge to advance forward. Under 30 minutes remaining, Ricky Taylor was battling with the grip in the No. 10, clipped a curb and ended up in the Turn 5 tire barrier, causing a full course yellow. Ricky Taylor came to pit lane for emergency service to change the broken bodywork and head back out on track to gain any additional positions.

At the checkered flag, Jordan Taylor brought home an eighth-place result while Ricky Taylor finished in tenth.

The Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing GTP teams will continue a quest on the West Coast, heading north to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on May 1-3, 2026, for the first two-hour, 40-minute sprint race of the year.