Why IMSA Is Booming: John Doonan on GTP, GT Racing & the 2026 Super Season

During Race Industry Week, IMSA President John Doonan delivers a powerful, in-depth breakdown of why the International Motor Sports Association is entering “another golden era” as the countdown begins toward the 2026 season and the Rolex 24 At Daytona.Fresh off an electrifying 2025, Doonan explains how IMSA’s unprecedented momentum across manufacturers, teams, fans, and partners is reshaping the global sports car racing landscape—from the explosive growth of the GTP prototype class to record OEM engagement across all categories.🔑 Key Topics in This Interview:• Why 2026 represents a new golden era for IMSA• The stacked GTP manufacturer lineup: Porsche, BMW, Acura, Cadillac & Aston Martin• The future arrival of Ford, Genesis & McLaren in top-tier prototypes• LMH–LMDh convergence and the potential for Ferrari, Toyota & Peugeot• Record 18 active manufacturers across IMSA championships• GTD & GTD PRO expansion, including McLaren & Lamborghini GT3 debuts• LMP2 transformation into a global championship-level battleground• The return of endurance racing as IMSA’s competitive DNA• The 2026 calendar strategy and Michelin Endurance Cup expansion• IMSA’s full driver & team development ladder from MX-5 Cup to GTP• Stability, broadcast partnerships & long-term event planningDoonan also details how IMSA has become a global automotive marketing and technology platform, with OEM activations, ride-and-drives, and road-to-race relevance now central to the championship’s identity.With GTP grids full, GT racing surging, and endurance formats thriving, IMSA is positioned as the global benchmark for North American sports car racing heading into 2026.This episode is essential viewing for IMSA fans, endurance racing teams, OEM executives, engineers, sponsors, and motorsport professionals worldwide.RACE INDUSTRY WEEK was brought to you by:ETS Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, ARP, Inc., Scott Lewis Associates, Fifth Third Bank Motorsports, PEAK, Crower, & CTech Manufacturing.#IMSA #JohnDoonan #IMSA2026 #Rolex24 #Daytona24#GTP #EnduranceRacing #SportsCarRacing#Motorsports #IMSAWeatherTech #GTD #GTDPro#PrototypeRacing #MichelinEnduranceCup#LMDh #Hypercar #RoadRacing#RaceIndustryWeek #EPARTRADE#MotorsportBusiness #OEMRacing