Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Lexington, OH
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio
There are some things about racing that are easy to love, and others that take a little bit more time. Any casual observer can appreciate the rush that comes from watching a skillful pass or hearing the roar of a powerful engine as it rips by. These things are the payoff — exciting, momentary flashes of greatness that only come on the racetrack.
But for those of us who have spent our lives in proximity to this sport, a deeper sense of satisfaction often comes from subtler parts of racing — setups, pit stops, weather. Things that knit together to form a complex puzzle of circumstances for which the correct answer dictates success or failure on track. This is the part of racing that can consume your life. Because when you pay attention to detail, solve last-minute problems and respond to the conditions, those momentary flashes of greatness on track feel earned.
At Mid-Ohio, the Racing to End Alzheimer’s/Stephen Cameron Racing team earned their greatness.
Decisions
The idyllic track that winds through tree-lined Ohio countryside presents a difficult challenge for competitors. 14 highly technical turns mean that cars need to be set up for cornering ability while sacrificing as little speed as possible. Threading this needle is made even more difficult by the fact that the track was repaved in 2024, so it remains slippery, especially under wet conditions like those on the weekend of this race.
During their practice runs, Sean Quinlan, Greg Liefooghe and the team did their best to get the car dialed in. It took some time and a few white-knuckle, low-grip laps, but eventually the No. 19 Ford Mustang found its footing and paced all the way up to a promising 6th in practice.
Stops and Starts
When the skies opened up on the morning of raceday, it seemed as though the field might have to contend with extremely wet conditions. In response, the Racing to End Alzheimer’s/Stephen Cameron Racing team rolled the No. 19 up to its 16th spot on the start line with rain tires. But not long before the start, the clouds cleared, sending the crew scrambling to put slick tires back on the car for the drier track. This dance, dictated by the weather radar, was enough to keep the team busy even before the waving of the green flag.
At the start, Quinlan remained cautious, ensuring the No.19 stayed steady despite the rapidly evaporating moisture on the track. As the asphalt dried, Quinlan worked to fend off furious challenges and navigate his way through multiple caution periods. After about an hour, he held the 16th position, a feat of consistency that was critical to setting up Liefooghe for success in the second leg.
Greg Liefooghe and Sean Quinlan
When Greg got behind the wheel of the Mustang with a full tank of gas and a fresh set of wheels, he wasted little time getting to work. After just a few laps, he had piloted the No.19 into the top 10, setting up shop in the lead group. With time and room to operate, Liefooghe expertly slipped past his competitors, snaking his way up to eighth place with 90 minutes to go.
As the minutes slipped away, the team made a strategic decision to pit with just under an hour left, gambling that Liefooghe would have enough time to make up the lost positions. It was a good bet.
With tires and fuel to get him to the end of the race, Liefooghe roared back out onto the track after losing four positions in the pit. In pitched battle after pitched battle, he found ways to maneuver around his opponents, catapulting him back up to ninth place at the checkered flag. After four grueling hours of racing, the No.19 finished in the top 10.
Details
At a place like Mid Ohio, you sweat the details. Which tires are best for this track surface? How much do I need to slow down into corner 9? When exactly does the weather radar say it will stop raining?
This attention to the seemingly insignificant is something we take great pride in. While we know it translates to victory on the track, we also believe that success in our mission depends on unwavering focus.
When everything fits together and a perfectly set-up Mustang takes a technical corner on a slick track, it reminds us that an end to Alzheimer’s will almost certainly come because someone paid attention to the details.
Thanks for reading.
