Returning to the spotlight of the Miami Grand Prix for a third consecutive year, Porsche Carrera Cup North America launched the weekend with two Friday sessions and a 28-car field.
Running at the Miami International Autodrome circuit, the quickest lappers of the field are no stranger to the Magic City.
Jimmy Llibre (ACI Motorsports) topped the Pro class in Practice 1 with a time of one minute, 57.362 seconds. It kicked off a highly anticipated weekend in Miami for the Dominican Republic native, who brings a large contingent of followers this weekend.
“It feels great to be here in Miami,” said Llibre. “I also feel like it’s my home track because all my people from the Dominican Republic are here, and my sponsors. The team is doing a really good job, the car feels great and let’s see if we can do the same in qualifying and both the races.”
Ultimately, though, Llibre’s time would not stand by the end of day, as Riley Dickinson (Kellymoss) posted Friday’s fastest lap by nearly half a second at one minute, 56.685 seconds in Practice 2.
Dickinson has not skipped a beat in his return to Carrera Cup after a one-year hiatus – winning both opening rounds at Sebring International Raceway in March – and expressed a strong appreciation for his return to Miami. Not only did he sweep the event’s two rounds in 2023, but he still currently holds the track record amongst Carrera Cup drivers.
“Definitely better than Session 1 for sure,” said Dickinson of the track conditions in Practice 2. “We had the sun go down a little bit, so cooler conditions out there which was nice. I love this track, it’s so much fun to drive. It’s one of my favorites on the calendar this year. It’s definitely good to be back, I was pinching myself last year watching everyone on track in 2024. So, glad to be back in the Cup car here at Miami and I’m excited for the rest of this weekend.”
Rounding out the top three Pro drivers in Practice 1 were Zachary Vanier (JDX Racing), who captured his first Carrera Cup series win at Miami in 2024, and Dickinson in third. Llibre placed second in Practice 2 alongside ACI Motorsports teammate, Yves Baltas in third.
JP Martinez, a Miami resident also with ACI Motorsports, gave local fans someone to cheer for by finishing atop the Pro-Am class standings in both sessions on Friday. Despite being in his Carrera Cup rookie season, Martinez enters the weekend as the class championship leader following two wins just up the road at Sebring in Rounds 1 and 2.
Martinez’s quickest time came in Practice 2 at one minute, 58.159 seconds, evening landing him in the top 10 overall.
A quartet of Pro-Am drivers rounded out the top three across both sessions – two additional ACI Motorsports competitors, Kenton King and Marco Cirone, alongside Alan Metni (Kellymoss) and James Sofronas (GMG Racing).
In the Masters category, Scott Blind (Ruckus Racing) looks to increase his points lead and series dominance following a weekend sweep at Sebring in March.
Saturday’s activities for Porsche Carrera Cup North America begin at 11 a.m. ET with the driver autograph session open to fans in the paddock. Qualifying follows at 1:40 p.m., with the Race 1 green flag scheduled for 5:50 p.m.
Race 2 on Sunday is set for 10:15 a.m. prior to the Formula One race at 4 p.m.
The pair of Carrera Cup races at the Miami Grand Prix will be shown live on Peacock; IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport North America social channels on Facebook, Linkedin, Threads and X.
PRACTICE 1
Pro
- #2 Jimmy Llibre
- #9 Zachary Vanier
- #91 Riley Dickinson
Pro-Am
- #4 JP Martinez
- #74 Kenton King
- #99 Alan Metni
Masters
- #45 Scott Blind
- #13 Todd Parriott
PRACTICE 2
Pro
- #91 Riley Dickinson
- #2 Jimmy Llibre
- #15 Yves Baltas
Pro-Am
- #4 JP Martinez
- #84 Marco Cirone
- #14 James Sofronas
Masters
- #45 Scott Blind
- #13 Todd Parriott
