Oscar Tunjo Clinches Pole Position for IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge at COTA
Oscar Tunjo has secured the top spot on the grid for the IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Driving the No. 1 Gebhardt Motorsport USA Inc. Duqueine D08, Tunjo delivered a stunning final lap to edge out the competition in a qualifying session defined by fluctuating temperatures and high-stakes precision.
A Down-to-the-Wire Battle for Pole
The fight for the pole position evolved into a tense duel between Tunjo and Titus Sherlock. Sherlock, who joined the No. 95 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325 as a late call-up to replace Lincoln Day, had been the dominant force throughout the practice sessions. The No. 95 Ligier topped all three practice runs, including a critical 15-minute session held immediately before qualifying to simulate actual race-day conditions.
Despite Sherlock’s early momentum, Tunjo found his rhythm on his seventh and final flying lap. He clocked a best lap of 2:00.060, reaching a speed of 101.948 mph on the 3.4-mile Grand Prix full-length circuit. The margin of victory was razor-thin, with Tunjo finishing just 0.081 of a second ahead of Sherlock to take the pole.
“I’m very happy to get a pole here; it’s a great place to start,” Tunjo said. “We struggled a little bit more now in the higher temperatures compared to this morning, but happy to get it at the end.”
Overcoming Environmental Challenges
The qualifying session was complicated by a significant shift in weather and track conditions. While the morning practice sessions began with a mild 64 degrees ambient and 75 degrees track temperature, the qualifying window saw those numbers climb to 75 degrees ambient and 95 degrees track temperature under gray, overcast skies.
These rising temperatures made it difficult for teams to nail their setups, adding a layer of unpredictability to the 15-minute dash for pole. Tunjo’s ability to extract maximum performance from the Duqueine D08 despite these challenges was the deciding factor in his success.
Circuit Specifics: The Grand Prix Layout
this event utilized the full 3.4-mile Grand Prix circuit. This differs from the shorter National Course used by IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge competitors in both 2025 and 2026, requiring drivers to manage a more demanding and expansive layout.
Key Takeaways from Qualifying
- Pole Winner: Oscar Tunjo (No. 1 Gebhardt Motorsport USA Inc. Duqueine D08).
- Fastest Lap: 2:00.060 (101.948 mph).
- The Runner-Up: Titus Sherlock (No. 95 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325), trailing by 0.081 seconds.
- Critical Factor: High track temperatures (95°F) created significant setup challenges for all teams.
- Track Configuration: The race will be contested on the full 3.4-mile Grand Prix circuit.
Race Day Outlook
The momentum now shifts to the two-hour IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge race. With Tunjo starting from the front, the Gebhardt Motorsport team holds a strategic advantage, though the pace set by the Toney Driver Development Ligier during practice suggests a highly competitive battle ahead.
The green flag drops on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. ET (11:05 a.m. CT). Fans can stream the action globally via the IMSA Official YouTube channel.