The 28th running of Petit Le Mans, taking place at Road Atlanta, marks the grand finale of the North American endurance season - a tradition since the IMSA SportsCar Championship's rebirth in 2014, following the merger of the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am.
With four straight victories to open the year, Porsche Penske Motorsport looked untouchable, sharper on execution, smarter on strategy, simply better - and surely on course for the title.
But the Balance of Performance soon stepped in to even the playing field, clipping the 963's wings and throwing the title race wide open. Now, on the eve of the finale, it's all to play for.
Manufacturers' - Porsche vs Acura
It's quite the twist. After dominating the early season, Porsche now finds itself under threat heading into Petit Le Mans. Since the BoP system was modified, the LMDh contender has managed just one podium in the last four races, while Acura has notched up four, including two victories. From a 142-point deficit after Long Beach in April, Acura has whittled the gap down to just seven points in the manufacturers' standings.
1 Porsche - 2804
2 Acura - 2797 (-7)
"We will give absolutely everything at Road Atlanta to defend all titles," says Thomas Laudenbach, vice president of Porsche Motorsport. "After our extraordinary start with four wins in a row, circumstances prevented further victories. We know we have the potential, now it’s about perfect execution."
Only the highest-finishing car from each manufacturer scores points, and points are awarded as soon as a car takes the start. In total, a manufacturer can score a maximum of 385 points (35 in qualifying, 350 in the race) or a minimum of 209(19 in qualifying, 190 in the race), given the 12 GTP entries. Acura could, in theory, take the lead after qualifying, but that would be symbolic at best.
The equation for the title is refreshingly simple: whoever finishes higher on Saturday night wins it all. Porsche is hunting a second consecutive IMSA crown, while Acura is chasing its fourth, and first since 2022.
Teams' championship - Porsche vs BMW
The fight for the drivers' and teams' championships - one and the same, since team points are tied to car numbers - is slightly more nuanced. Three crews remain mathematically in contention.
1 Matt Campbell / Mathieu Jaminet (Porsche Penske Motorsport #6) - 2582
2 Felipe Nasr / Nick Tandy (Porsche Penske Motorsport #7) - 2451 (-131)
3 Philipp Eng / Dries Vanthoor (BMW M Team RLL #24) - 2437 (-145)
A top-seven finish would secure the title for Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet, no matter what happens behind them. Even if Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy deliver a perfect weekend, their maximum is 2836 points, meaning the #6 crew could start last and still clinch the crown with seventh place.
The road is much steeper for Philipp Eng and Dries Vanthoor. Their best possible total is 2822 points, so the BMW duo must finish first or second, and even a win would only suffice if the #6 Porsche finishes outside the top eight.
What else to watch
Created by the late Don Panoz, Petit Le Mans quickly earned its place as an endurance classic. While some will be laser-focused on title fights, others will be racing for glory alone, with nothing left to lose.
"Many people are fighting for the championship and a better place in the standings, but we go for the race result," says Cadillac driver Filipe Albuquerque. "That's what we're aiming for. We have nothing to lose in the championship, and if we have even a small shot at victory, we'll take every risk necessary."
The Porsche and Acura factory cars won't have that freedom. Wayne Taylor Racing, meanwhile, will be desperate to end the season with a win for Cadillac after a year of near-misses.
Lamborghini hopes to build on its promising Indianapolis form - its SC63, recently fitted with a new rear suspension, finished 10th but ran as high as fourth - before putting its prototype programme on pause (temporarily, perhaps).
Aston Martin, fresh from a strong fifth place at Fuji in the World Endurance Championship, is also eyeing a podium with its Valkyrie. Encouragingly, the car topped the timesheets for the first time in Friday's third practice session.
Cracking the code of Road Atlanta
Every driver will tell you: winning Petit Le Mans is no easy task. Completing 10 hours of racing without a single setback is a feat, if not a miracle.
"Petit Le Mans is one of the most difficult races," says Jonathan Diuguid, Porsche Penske Motorsport managing director. "The tight confines of the circuit and the high car count make for relentless action. Porsche Penske Motorsport comes into the race leading every championship, but we're taking nothing for granted."
Indeed, 53 cars are set to start on a track just 4.088km long - that's roughly one car every 77 meters.
"All of that makes it impossible to approach the race with confidence," admits Jaminet. "I learned that the hard way two years ago, when my team-mate was taken out by a GT car while we were fighting for the title. You have to survive until the final restart, that's where everything is decided.
"Since the race finishes at 10pm, we always set up the car to be strong at night. Before that, it's about surviving and staying in the lead pack for the last restart.
"Our 963 tends to come alive as the temperatures drop, so we're hoping that plays in our favour again this weekend."
That will be the price for victory - and perhaps redemption - for Jaminet and Porsche, at the end of a week overshadowed by the official announcement of the end of its WEC programme.
