As we stand on the precipice of the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, it’s impossible not to feel a palpable sense of momentum. The buzz surrounding America’s premier sports car racing series isn’t just about the amazing array of beautiful and exotic GTP and GT cars, or the great teams and brilliant drivers bringing the various cars’ full potential to life — with consistently great racing. It’s also about a big vision coming to full fruition. IMSA has firmly positioned itself as a world-class racing platform. Certainly, much of the credit belongs to IMSA Chairman Jim France and IMSA CEO Ed Bennett, but I would like to take a moment to personally acknowledge IMSA President John Doonan along with his smart, talented and hard-working IMSA teammates for making the magic happen.
In an era where auto racing faces relentless competition for audience, fan devotion and the all-important marketing and sponsorship dollars that come with that, IMSA is not only surviving but thriving. Under Doonan’s leadership, IMSA has struck a balance that so many other racing series struggle to achieve: respecting tradition while embracing innovation and also balancing the cost versus value equation for the 19 participating manufacturers in its various classes and series, It’s a tricky tightrope to walk, but Doonan has done so with a steady hand, a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to the fans, teams and manufacturers that power the series.
The introduction of the GTP class in 2023 set the stage for IMSA’s resurgence, but 2025 feels like the year when it all comes together. Manufacturers like Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche have invested heavily in the series, not just in terms of budgets, but in bringing their global sports car programs into alignment with IMSA’s platform. Meanwhile, brands like Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota are making significant contributions across the GTD and GTD PRO classes. This is no accident; it’s the result of a strategic roadmap laid out by Doonan and his team — a roadmap that recognized IMSA’s unique ability to bridge the gap between American motorsports passion and the global endurance racing community.
There’s something inherently American about IMSA racing, yet it remains deeply connected to the international sports car scene. Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans aren’t just stops on a racing calendar; they’re institutions. They’re races where legends are made, and where enduring stories of progress are written against the backdrop of those iconic circuits. The fact that IMSA has been able to keep these classic events relevant while simultaneously building a modern product speaks volumes.
The series had me at hello when I attended my first IMSA races in 1974 as an aspiring teenaged media professional, and it has been central to my deep passion for motorsports ever since. It truly was and still is, true love at first sight. Why? Because IMSA ticks all the boxes of what I believe a racing series should be, and that starts with being inspiringly diverse in their competitive equation, both on a human and a technical level.
A key to IMSA’s current success has been its ability to foster an environment where manufacturers want to race. The Balance of Performance (BoP) system, while often maligned in other series, has been honed by IMSA into a tool for creating thrilling, competitive racing. Sure, BoP discussions will always be part of the sports car world, but Doonan and the IMSA technical team have worked tirelessly to ensure that the racing is fair, and more importantly, exciting. It’s worth noting that Doonan was once on the other side of this process, overseeing Mazda’s North American racing activities before joining IMSA as president in late 2019. This unique perspective has given him invaluable insight into the challenges manufacturers face, and it shows in the way IMSA has cultivated trust and collaboration with its partners.
It’s not just about the manufacturers and top-tier prototypes, though. IMSA’s commitment to multi-class racing remains one of its defining characteristics. From the lightning-fast GTP machines to the GTD and GTD PRO classes, every level of IMSA competition feels meaningful. The LMP2 class also plays a vital role, offering privateer teams a competitive platform to race at the highest level of endurance racing. The accessibility of GT and LMP2 racing, where privateer teams can share the grid with factory-backed giants, keeps the heart of sports car racing beating strong.
And let’s not forget the fans. IMSA has made a concerted effort to ensure that fans feel valued, both at the track and through digital platforms. The fan experience at an IMSA weekend is second to none, with open paddocks, autograph sessions and a genuine sense of connection between drivers, teams, and those who fill the grandstands. Sports car racing has always been about stories — stories of human and mechanical endurance, of unbreakable determination, of new technologies, of soaring triumph, and occasionally crushing heartbreak. IMSA understands the importance of sharing those stories with the world, which is reflected in its focus on growing digital engagement. IMSA is literally and figuratively a brand war on wheels, where the combatants are fighting for their vision of the future, while earning passionate devotion to their respective brands because authenticity, relevancy and real emotional meaning truly maters in IMSA.
The partnership with the FIA World Endurance Championship is another masterstroke. The alignment of rulesets between IMSA and WEC has allowed teams to cross over between series, strengthening the depth of both championships. The sight of IMSA cars competing at Le Mans and vice versa is no longer a novelty; it’s the new normal, and it’s incredibly exciting for fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
IMSA also deserves credit for recognizing the importance of sustainability in motorsports. The introduction of hybrid technology in the GTP class isn’t just a nod to environmental responsibility — it’s a showcase of cutting-edge automotive technology. Manufacturers aren’t just racing to win trophies or build brand credibility; they’re racing to develop technology that will shape the future of road cars.
I was privileged to be directly involved with IMSA during the previous two eras led by visionary President Scott Atherton, who was at the helm for 19 years, starting during the Don Panoz-funded American Le Mans Series era. Scott played a central role in the merger with Jim France’s Grand Am series, and he then continued to serve as IMSA’s president until his retirement at the end of 2019. Almost all the great things happening today were initiated under Scott’s long run in the driver’s seat. Like in the sport of endurance racing, we can see that Scott drove an ironman, pace-setting stint before handing off to his talented new teammate, John Doonan, whom he personally had a hand in selecting. This underscores that IMSA’s relentless race to the future is underpinned by stability and reliability of leadership that ensures continuity of vision. Most importantly, IMSA is driven by actions taken to get to that future faster than the competition. This is ultimately IMSA’s original reason for being and why it works so well on so many levels.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, all the pieces are in place for IMSA to shine brighter than ever. The driver talent pool is deeper than it’s been in years, with a mix of well-known seasoned veterans, exciting young up-and-comers, and global racing superstars all vying for glory. The calendar remains anchored by legendary events at North America’s top road racing circuits, and the competition promises to be fiercer than ever. I sincerely believe that IMSA now delivers the best racing on the planet.
John Doonan and his team deserve immense credit for steering IMSA with such skill and foresight since he took the wheel on the eve of the global COVID 19 pandemic. The decisions made over the past few years — some of them bold, others nuanced — are now bearing fruit in a way that’s impossible to ignore. IMSA isn’t just a regional series; it’s an international powerhouse. From my perspective, 2025 feels like the year when all of America’s racing fans, and our nation’s vibrant car enthusiast culture, along with the rest of the world, truly takes notice.
A crucial part of achieving this success will be IMSA’s strategic broadcast partnership with NBC Sports, which also serves as a key partner for NASCAR. My hope is that this key collaboration evolves positively and expands meaningfully to ensure that IMSA’s thrilling on-track product reaches a wider and even more engaged audience, by blending top-tier production quality with a deep understanding of motorsports storytelling in a modern way.
So, before the engines fire up at Daytona for the Rolex 24 later this month, let’s take a moment to appreciate what IMSA has become. It’s not just sports car racing done right — it’s sports car racing at its very best. And for that, we owe a debt of gratitude to Jim France, Ed Bennett and John Doonan, as well as the entire IMSA organization. Here’s to a season for the ages.
The 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship gets underway with the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway, Jan. 18-19, followed by the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 25-26.
