Petit Le Mans 2026: Acura’s Final IMSA Run and Dixon-Palou Farewell

Key points

• Tom Blomqvist secured the 15th pole for the Acura ARX-06, completing a front-row sweep for Acura Meyer Shank Racing in the final qualifying session.
• Jack Aitken effectively clinched the GTP drivers' title after qualifying fourth, extending his lead over Laurin Heinrich, who qualified seventh.
• Scott Dixon and Alex Palou will share the No. 60 and No. 93 Acura entries, marking their final race together after six seasons at Chip Ganassi Racing.
• IMSA and Motul announced a multiyear partnership extension, keeping Motul as the official lubricant partner and sponsor of the race through the end of the decade.
• The 10-hour race begins Saturday at 12:10 p.m. EST, with live coverage on NBC and NBCSN, and full streaming on Peacock.

Background

This event concludes the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Acura Meyer Shank Racing is ending its 22-year run in top-level North American sports car racing, having achieved three championships and 21 wins. The race also serves as the finale for several drivers, including Dixon, who is moving to Arrow McLaren for the 2027 INDYCAR season. The archive notes unrelated local Atlanta events, but the primary focus remains on the motorsport finale at Road Atlanta.

How outlets are covering it

Sportscar365 emphasizes the emotional significance of Acura's final race and the title clinch for Aitken, noting the team's 401st and 402nd IMSA starts. INDYCAR.com highlights the crossover from open-wheel racing, focusing on Dixon and Palou's farewell and the participation of other INDYCAR and INDY NXT drivers across all classes. IMSA focuses on the commercial aspect, announcing the extended partnership with Motul, which will continue as the official lubricant partner and sponsor of the race through the end of the decade. The outlets agree on the race's importance but differ in emphasis: Sportscar365 on the competitive and historical closure, INDYCAR.com on the driver transitions, and IMSA on the commercial partnership.

Why it matters

The race marks the end of an era for Acura in IMSA and a significant transition for top INDYCAR drivers. The title clinch for Aitken and the partnership extension with Motul signal stability and continuity in the series, while the final race provides a nostalgic send-off for a long-standing team and driver pairing.

What to watch

The 10-hour race begins Saturday at 12:10 p.m. EST. Live coverage will be on NBC for the first three hours, followed by NBCSN until post-race, with full streaming on Peacock. The race will determine the final standings for all classes, including the Bob Akin Award for the highest-placed Bronze Cup driver.