When I heard the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series added the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to its 2018 racing schedule (May 4-6, 2018), I knew I had to be there. For years there’s been a noticeable void in the Mid-Ohio schedule. The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) last raced at Mid-Ohio in 2012, and the Grand-Am Series last race there in 2013. When the two racing bodies merged for the 2014 season, Mid-Ohio was unfortunately the ‘odd-man-out’. Existing ALMS/Grand-Am contracts with various race tracks, the need to limit the first season schedule, and other considerations played a part in Mid-Ohio’s exclusion. But the fans made their views known, and it was only a matter of time. Finally, this was the year that top-level professional sports car racing made its return! The fans responded enthusiastically showing-up in huge numbers. It was the ultimate validation. “IMSA belongs at Mid-Ohio!”

Joao Barbosa (helmet art), driver of the Mustang Sampling Racing – Cadillac DPi (#5).

Pre-race conversation between Pipo Derani, driver of the Tequila Patron ESM – Nissan DPi (#22), and Fox Sports pit-reporter Justin Bell.

Corvette Racing – Chevrolet Corvette C7.R (#3), driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonia Garcia.