Paul Miller Racing was crowned the GTD Pro champions at the 10‑hour Petit Le Mans on October 3, 2026, clinching the title after a season that started with a Daytona win.
The trio of Connor de Phillippi, Neil Verhagen and Dan Harper, driving a BMW M4 GT3 EVO, finished third behind the winning #68 Car Blanche Aston Martin and the runner‑up #77 AO Racing Porsche. Their podium finish took the team to a second overall GTD title in three years and a third consecutive GTD Pro Endurance Cup.
IMSA’s GTD Pro championship, a points‑based race‑day competition, was decided in the final laps at Road Atlanta. De Phillippi, a seasoned BMW driver, secured his first championship after seven full seasons in the series.
Road Atlanta seals triumph
Across the 10‑hour race, the BMW managed to stay ahead of rivals while limiting mistakes. Despite issues at the start of the season, the car consistently finished in strong positions, earning vital points when the team avoided a slow lap at Phoenix and countered a drive‑through penalty after Harper’s early contact with a McLaren.
Verhagen’s qualifying record—seven top‑three starts—was key to building the championship buffer. “Neil was great all season in qualifying,” acknowledged de Phillippi, noting the benefit of a strong grid position for tightening points battles.
Overcoming race‑day challenges
The race hit a critical juncture when rain and slick tires could have derailed the lead. Verhagen locked the car out on slicks as water washed the track, a risky play that paid off when the surface dried and the BMW continued to lead.
Late in the closing stages, the title‑contending #4 Corvette spun off the circuit, freeing the faster cars from close‑quarters pressure and allowing Paul Miller Racing to conserve its advantage.
Slicks in the rain
“The slicks were fine,” De Phillippi recounted, after Verhagen’s decision to stay on dry tyres during light rain. “He said, No, the slicks fine. I was like, ‘Man, this guy is crazy, but let’s do it.’ It was the right call.” The decision kept the BMW in front as the track returned to green.
Late‑race Corvette incident
De Phillippi explained that stepping in as a hunter with nothing to lose added an aura of luck. “We were the hunters today, we had nothing to lose,” he said. The incident removed a potential threat and confirmed the BMW’s lead on the final weekend.
Team and driver reflections
Verhagen described the season as “incredibly special,” calling it his most successful year in motorsport. “My most successful season in motorsport ever,” he said, praising BMW Motorsports and the team’s resilience after a crash in Detroit practice.
De Phillippi reflected on the psychological journey, noting that the championship reminded him of his 2016 GT Masters title. “I woke up this morning to a memory. It seemed very fitting,” he told the team.
Both drivers emphasized the crew’s role. “It meant more than anything to the boys this year,” Verhagen revealed, highlighting the squad’s perseverance and disciplined strategy that stole the championship when it mattered most.
With triumph at a demanding endurance test and a record of disciplined racing, Paul Miller Racing cements its status as the 2026 GTD Pro benchmark.
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