Winward Racing’s Mercedes‑AMG GT3, the No. 57 entry, began the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar round in Indianapolis from the rear of the grid after a pre‑race rule violation moved it from its planned pole position.
Qualifying had been wiped out by lightning, but the race director invoked Article 42.1. The article requires all cars to be at the pit entry loop, grid, or designated site by a published time; arriving afterwards can lead to a penalty. The No. 57 was parked before the checkered flag and subsequently towed back, causing the penalty that dropped it to the grid’s tail.
Ward Voices Frustration Over the Decision
Russell Ward said his team had misread the timing schedule and inadvertently overshot the pit entrance deadline. “There was a communication lapse when we passed the pit entry, and we ended up parked. The rule says if you’re late you lose your spot, and it seems the call was ambiguous,” he told the live broadcast.
He went on to criticize the ceremony’s regulation, alleging that the governing body is acting to undermine his team’s pursuit of a third straight championship. “It feels like the committee intends to stop us from winning outright, but we’re not withdrawing. We’ll continue to fight,” Ward added.
Race Performance Despite the Setback
After the slow start, the driver and co‑driver Philip Ellis kept the car competitive, hauling the No. 57 back into top‑five contention with only about an hour to go. The duo’s resilience keeps the championship hopes alive as the race progresses.
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