COURTNEY CRONE Adapts Fast, Scores Top-5 in Wet at IMSA Daytona Return

January 20, 2026

• COURTNEY CRONE made a seamless transition from F1 Academy back to IMSA sportscar racing, immediately finding pace in the BMW M4 GT4 despite limited GT4 experience. Her qualifying fifth in the competitive GSX class and strong opening race performance showed she hadn’t missed a beat during her open-wheel detour.
• Race one showcased both promise and the learning curve – CRONE executed a brilliant move at turn one to jump to third, ran in podium contention for most of the race, then got caught up in late contact with fellow debutant Cecilia Rabelo that dropped her from fifth to eighth. Still, seventh after penalties wasn’t bad for a GT4 rookie.
• The wet conditions in race two became CRONE’s moment to shine, displaying the adaptability that separates good drivers from great ones. She navigated the tricky conditions expertly, moved up when others faltered, and held fourth through a chaotic final restart – exactly the kind of composed drive that builds championship campaigns.

bmw m4 gt4, daytona international speedway, gsx, imsa vp racing sportscar challenge