Winward Racing’s #57 Mercedes-AMG GT3, driven by Russell Ward, Philip Ellis and Indy Dontje, captured the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix at Road America, delivering a decisive boost toward a potential third consecutive IMSA WeatherTech GTD title.
Strategic Mastery and Clean Execution
The trio’s triumph hinged on flawless pit stops and consistent driving. While the field jostled for position, the crew executed swift changes without a single delay, enabling Ward and Ellis to re‑establish leadership in the closing phase.
“We fought for balance and pace,” Ellis said. “Different attempts at gaining the slipstream made today’s laps tougher, but the crew’s perfect stops, and the drivers’ focus left the car intact and gained positions.”
Dontje highlighted the importance of “good calls from the team. Great pit stops and no car scratches” as the core difference that steered the GTD race to victory.
Championship Stakes Shifted
The win narrows the GAP between Ward and Ellis and overall champion Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello to just 24 points. Barrichello, piloting the Heart of Racing Team’s #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO with Tom Gamble and Zacharie Robichon, finished 15th, a result that amplified the championship impact.
Ward noted that mid‑season misfortunes had stemmed from competitors’ crashes early in endurance events that left Winward racked the field. “When the track clears a bit, we can truly show what we’re capable of,” he explained.
Season Highlights and Forward Momentum
With this Road America victory, the Ward‑Ellis pairing registers their third GTD win of 2026, adding to the victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The duo now boasts 14 career WeatherTech Championship race wins.
As the weekend wraps up, the Math team’s execution remains a benchmark, a performance that will set the tone as the season advances toward its next high‑stakes battles.
Photo by: Brandon Badraoui / Lumen via Getty Images
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