Hardwick Captures Michelin Pilot Challenge Pole Position

Ryan Hardwick was clearly eager to get behind the wheel again. Forced to miss the first two IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races this season after sustaining a concussion in a practice crash at Daytona International Speedway in January, Hardwick collected the Motul Pole Award for Saturday’s Mid-Ohio 120 in the Grand Sport (GS) class.

Hardwick toured Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 1:27.021 (93.411 mph) in the No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport to notch his maiden Pilot Challenge pole. He and co-driver Jan Heylen will start up front, with Chris Green and Kumo Wittmer alongside in the No. 13 AWA McLaren 570S GT4.

“Man, I don’t know what to say!” Hardwick said. “First and foremost, I’ve got to thank my team. These guys have worked really hard on our car; this is two poles in a row for this car. I’ve been working really hard since my injury at Daytona, and it means a lot to be able to come back and not only be competitive but to come out on top on the pole.

“The lap, it was tough out there. There was a lot of traffic and a lot of people with different speeds, and I just seemed to be stuck behind the wrong car for a long time. I finally got just enough clean air that I was able to put one clean lap together.”

Green, subbing for Orey Fidani who remained home this weekend for the birth of his child, qualified second with a lap of 1:27.462.

The two-hour Mid-Ohio 120 will stream live starting at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold. IMSA Radio coverage is available on IMSA.com.