Wayne Taylor Racing shocked the field, taking first place in the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America with Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque behind the wheel of the Cadillac V‑Series.R.
Road America Show‑Stopper
The 4.048‑mile, 14‑turn natural terrain track was a tough battlefield. Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) secured its first GTP‑class victory since becoming a Cadillac factory partner, and the second overall win of the season after Detroit in June when the team dabbled in the Acura program.
With the win, WTR crossed the 54‑class‑win threshold, placing the team sixth on the all‑time list and eclipsing the historic tally of both Brumos Racing and Champion Racing.
Podium Positions
The #10 Cadillac took the checkered flag, led by Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque. The #40, piloted by Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz, finished third, briefly trailing the leaders before a 60‑second penalty reshuffled the order.
Despite the setback, the Taylor brothers both captured a podium spot—a rare feat that anchored the team’s emotional triumph on the morning of August 2.
Penalty Debate
After a run too swift near safety workers, the governing body applied a 60‑second time penalty to the #40 entry. “An out‑of‑hand penalty,” Wayne Taylor muttered to Motorsport.com, “should have been a drive‑through.” He added, “We spend so much money here, it’s just wrong.”
Ticketed license‑plate footage missed the exact moment, but the penalty shifted not only the podium order but also the narrative of the event, stoking debate among fans and officials alike.
Internal Turmoil and Overcoming Doubt
In the 18 months prior, the team endured a winless stretch. “The last 18 months have been the toughest,” Taylor reflected, citing the pressure from both leadership and drivers.
Jordan Taylor, still dealing with the slump’s psychological toll, conceded that it created self‑doubt. “The challenge was keeping everyone together, keeping us positive, keeping the passion,” Wayne stated after a heart‑to‑heart talk with Ricky. “We all felt the pressure.”
The conversation helped Wayne reframe his leadership role. “I realized I needed to shift my perspective,” he said, pointing at the emotional support that ultimately turned the team around.
Cadillac’s Crucial Role
Wayne Taylor underscored the importance of the partnership. “The relationship with Cadillac is what makes this all absolutely happen,” he told the press. “I can’t thank them enough.” The win marks the first GTP victory for a Cadillac‑partnered team since the brand’s campaign began.
Future Outlook
With momentum building at Road America, WTR’s campaign in 2026 appears on an upward trajectory. As the series pivots into new manufacturer alliances, the team’s newfound confidence may well keep the Taylor family on the podium for seasons to come.
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