Paul Miller Racing secures the IMSA GTD Pro championship at Road Atlanta, converting third place in Petit Le Mans into the class crown on October 3, 2026.

Connor de Phillippi, Neil Verhagen, and Dan Harper deliver under pressure, sealing the team’s second GTD title in three seasons and a third straight GTD Pro Endurance Cup.

The title comes despite early contact, a drive-through penalty, and variable weather. The group manages risk decisively, protecting a season-long points buffer through strategy and execution.

Momentum stems from a season-opening win at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and consistent scoring thereafter. De Phillippi finally claims his first IMSA championship in his seventh season.

Verhagen’s qualifying form proves pivotal, with seven top-three starts building repeatable track position. That foundation matters across a season shaped by cautions and a shifting Balance of Performance debate.

The finale is not straightforward. Harper collides with the RLL Team McLaren and serves a penalty, forcing the pit wall to reset windows as caution timing and fuel targets evolve.

Rain introduces the turning point. Verhagen stays on slicks as others switch, trusting the drying trend and avoiding pit-lane losses. The call keeps the BMW in the lead group.

Late drama eases slightly when the No. 4 Corvette contender spins, softening direct pressure. From there, the crew manages pace, restarts, and fuel with minimal error.

Verhagen brings the car home while de Phillippi cross-checks points on the wall, confirming the margin. Talk about the team’s 2027 plans surfaces, but the drivers push back on speculation.

The campaign also showcases resilience. Practice incidents at Detroit and VIR demand quick rebuilds, yet operational sharpness prevents small setbacks from compounding into lost weekends.

The triumph reinforces BMW customer strength and Paul Miller Racing’s IMSA stature. In a fiercely contested field and a 54-car grid, execution and adaptability prove decisive across the year.

The victory also caps a finale that carried heavy expectation after an intense build-up, detailed in the GTD Pro showdown preview, with noteworthy class storylines elsewhere, including Winward Racing’s Petit Le Mans result.

Visual Summary

James William

James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.