Blomqvist Leads MSR 1-2 in Red Flag-Hit IMSA Indy Opener

IMSA imposed red‑flag penalties that delete the fastest qualifying laps for the No. 11 TDS LMP2 plus the No. 24 BMW.

Overview

Tom Blomqvist set a 1:16.209 in the No. 60 Acura to top Practice 1, edging MSR teammate Nick Yelloly by 0.268 seconds.
The session was stopped three times after a No. 4 Corvette oil leak, debris from contact involving the No. 11 TDS Oreca and No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari, and a gravel spin for BMW’s Philipp Eng.
IMSA confirmed qualifying-lap deletions for the No. 11 TDS LMP2 and the No. 24 BMW for causing red flags in Practice 1.
Stewards issued multiple drive-throughs, including two for Naveen Rao, one for Tom Dillmann for blocking, and additional penalties to Mikkel Jensen after separate contacts.
Balance-of-performance changes left the Porsche 963s at the back of GTP, while Valentin Hasse-Clot led all GT runners with a 1:24.403 in the No. 19 Van der Steur Aston Martin as teams look to Practice 2 on Saturday.