Team ENEOS Finishes P3 at Road Atlanta to End 2024 IMSA Season on High Note

During their debut in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series, ENEOS ambassador Dai Yoshihara, Karl Wittmer and Montreal Motorsport Group scored multiple pole positions, three podiums and one win with the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCR, the dominant Honda of the season. During the second half of the season, the duo scored 1500 points, the second highest tally in the class, 200 more than the series champion. The race at Road Atlanta was the team’s last opportunity to score championship points.

Starting from P5, Yoshihara and Wittmer seized every opportunity throughout the two-hour race to finish P3, and as a result, the MMG team finished fourth in the overall championship.

Dai qualified P5 for the main race, and as the green flag waved, he immediately stole P4. His momentum stalled after contact in GS brought out the first full course caution, followed by additional cautions at 1:17 and before the race’s midpoint, triggering a flurry of pit stops, including Yoshihara, who swapped driving duties with Wittmer during service.

With 54 minutes remaining, Wittmer went all out, taking P4 back they lost during the pit stop, which he held for most of his stint. The top five were separated by less than five seconds with under two minutes left, but Wittmer’s persistence paid off as the competition dove into the pits requiring fuel for the final lap; he claimed a podium spot to finish the team’s season on a high note.

“It’s hard to sum up this year enough in words; there’s so much we achieved together as a team,” said Yoshihara. “Coming from drifting, I never expected to bond with another driver like I have with Karl. What we have with this team is really special, and I hope to continue proving that on the track next year. Thank you so much to ENEOS and all of our sponsors for helping to make this happen!”

Congratulations to Dai, Karl and MMG for their efforts in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge!

Photos: courtesy of Pit+Paddock