Meyer Shank Acura Tops IMSA Qualifying at Long Beach

Nick Yelloly secures pole position, while Robert Wickens lands GTD class pole after Lexus penalty.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:22am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the IMSA race cars in a fractured, multi-perspective style, with sharp planes of color representing the Acura, Porsche, and Lexus vehicles competing on the Long Beach circuit.Acura's triumph over Porsche's recent dominance at Long Beach showcases the dynamic competition in IMSA racing.Long Beach Today

In IMSA qualifying at the Long Beach circuit, Nick Yelloly in the #93 Meyer Shank Racing Acura claimed pole position, ending Porsche's recent dominance at the top of the grid. Meanwhile, Robert Wickens secured the GTD class pole after a penalty was issued to the leading Lexus entry.

Why it matters

This result marks a significant achievement for Meyer Shank Racing, as they look to challenge Porsche's recent stranglehold on pole positions in IMSA competition. The outcome also highlights the competitive nature of the GTD class, with Wickens and the Acura team capitalizing on the penalty to the Lexus.

The details

Yelloly's pole-winning lap in the #93 Acura was enough to dethrone the Porsche entries that had dominated qualifying at Long Beach in recent years. In the GTD class, Robert Wickens took advantage of a penalty issued to the leading Lexus entry to claim the class pole position.

  • Yelloly's pole-winning lap was set during IMSA qualifying on April 18, 2026.
  • Wickens' GTD pole position was secured after the Lexus penalty was announced on the same day.

The players

Nick Yelloly

The driver of the #93 Meyer Shank Racing Acura who claimed pole position in IMSA qualifying at Long Beach.

Robert Wickens

The driver who secured the GTD class pole position in the IMSA event at Long Beach after a penalty was issued to the leading Lexus entry.

Meyer Shank Racing

The American racing team that fields the #93 Acura driven by Nick Yelloly, who claimed pole position.

Porsche

The manufacturer that had recently dominated pole positions in IMSA competition before being dethroned by Yelloly and the Meyer Shank Racing Acura.

Lexus

The manufacturer whose entry was penalized, allowing Robert Wickens and the Acura team to claim the GTD class pole position.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working hard to challenge Porsche's dominance, and I'm thrilled to have secured pole position for Meyer Shank Racing today.”

— Nick Yelloly, Driver, #93 Meyer Shank Racing Acura

“The team did a great job, and we were able to capitalize on the penalty to the Lexus. It's a strong start to the weekend for us in the GTD class.”

— Robert Wickens, Driver, GTD class Acura

What’s next

The IMSA race at Long Beach is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, where Yelloly and Wickens will look to convert their pole positions into race victories.

The takeaway

This qualifying result showcases the competitive nature of IMSA racing, with Meyer Shank Racing and Acura challenging Porsche's recent dominance, while also highlighting the tight competition in the GTD class where Wickens and the Acura team capitalized on a penalty to claim the class pole.