Jack Aitken clinched the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – GTP title when his Action Express Racing Cadillac crossed the start‑line at Petit Le Mans, pushing the points gap to 151 and making the championship mathematically impossible for Laurin Heinrich.
Title secured before the checkered flag
By arriving first at the start‑gate, Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti locked an 11th‑place advantage that guaranteed the driver title regardless of the race’s outcome.
Immediate reaction from the Cadillacs
“It was a strange feeling to know the championship was won before the green flag even lit,” Aitken replied. “I was looking out for the start while hoping the car cleared pit lane, and it did.”
He reflected on the decade‑long wait that began after his 2015 Formula Renault 2.0 and Pro Mazda triumphs and praised the camaraderie at Action Express, describing his time with the team as “very happy” and “filled with fantastic friends.”
First solo GTP champion since 2006
Aitken becomes the first driver to capture an IMSA top‑class title without co‑drivers since Jörg Bergmeister’s 2006 Rolex title. His achievement echoes the 2002 LMP900 drivers’ crown set by Tom Kristensen in the American Le Mans Series.
Consistency the basis of the 2023 season
Throughout eight races, the Cadillac team stayed on the podium seven times, a run driven by reliable race strategy, clean driving and a car that minimized mistakes.
Petit Le Mans roars through Thunder‑filled Atlanta
Road Atlanta’s opening hours delivered typical endurance drama, with slippery conditions, caution stands and a red flag in the fourth hour from rain. Aitken hinted that strategy would shift frequently and that the trio’s placement depends on what remains in the final hour.
“There’s a lot left in store for the race; we’re keeping our options open,” he said, noting that “Fred’s doing a great job” and that team members are ready to lead or fill in.
All three drivers agree that the goal remains a podium finish, and the event will showcase the Cadillac V‑Series.R’s resilience under pressure.
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