SPEEDWAY, Ind. - Proving its mettle over short sprint and marathon endurance alike, the factory Ford Mustang GT3 has captured back-to-back victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by winning the GTD Pro class in consecutive runnings of IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks.
“We’ve proven that the Ford Mustang GT3 is capable in all types of racing formats,” said Alex Allmandinger, Ford Racing Sports Car Motorsports Program Manager. “The Brickyard has been very special for us, having won two straight years. It’s a significant step forward for Ford Racing in the championship. Now, we take the fight to Petit Le Mans and race for that championship.”
The No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3, co-piloted by factory drivers Dennis Olsen and Ben Barker, knelt down to kiss the famous brick pavers as the class winners after two hours and 40 minutes of attrition. The feat marked the pair’s first IMSA victory together and third podium of the season – a momentous second straight heading into the final round of the season in the first week of October.
The success of America’s Race Team at the Racing Capital of The World extends multiple years by the No. 64 specifically, which won last season’s six-hour endurance edition with Sebastian Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller at the helm. This season, both Ford Racing Mustang GT3s have each won a race. The No. 65 of Christopher Mies and Frédéric Vervisch won earlier this season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Olsen, who brought the Mustang GT3 across the line, fought from second position entering the final laps of the race. The leader was forced to pit in the closing minutes, and the strategy call put the No. 64 into the lead. Olsen fended off one final battle to win the race.
The No. 65 endured its battles throughout the race, finishing seventh. Ford ranks second in the class Manufacturer’s Championship with the season finale, Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, scheduled for September 30 – October 3.
Driver Quotes:
DENNIS OLSEN, No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 –
“I really tried everything [defending the lead]. Luckily, we have a very strong Ford Mustang GT3 that held up. I had a lot of big battles in the last stint, and I was just trying to keep it cool. We came out on the good side of that battle. There was a lot of pressure on my side, for sure. It’s amazing that we can pull off this win. We’ve been chasing it for a long time. I’m super proud of the team and for Ford Racing.”
BEN BARKER, No. 64 Ford Racing Mustang GT3 –
“We came into this race with the pressure of the win last year and having to replicate that. We did. It’s a testament to Ford Racing and Multimatic, and all the hard work the team has done in the workshop. Our Mustang GT3s are prepared immaculately. The third, second and now first place finishes show the momentum we’ve had in the second-half of the season. We also had our IMSA Resilient Racers, Noah and Piper, with us. They gave us motivation and a little speech over the radio before I started. I almost teared up, and it was very special. Their motivation got us over the line.”
