DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Michelin and IMSA have confirmed details of the new IMSA Michelin Sustainability in Racing Award, which will be presented to one Grand Touring Prototype entry in each round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The award was announced as part of IMSA’s annual State of the Sport held at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in October 2025, during the Motul Petit Le Mans season finale weekend, with details finalized for the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 24-25, 2026.
The award factors in three elements equally: tire use, energy use and running order/finish position to determine the GTP entry with the best overall sustainability accomplishments in a single race.
The launch of the award coincides with the introduction of Michelin’s new GTP tire globally – the Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance – which will make its debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona this week. The tire incorporates 50 percent recycled and renewable materials and features a striking “Vision” tread pattern.
Results for the award will be measured by tracking real-time data from each car, with Tire Use Rank, Energy Use Rank and Current Running Order/Finish Position rank all factored in.
-Tire use is simply the number of tires used throughout the race, a key strategy decision as teams often double stint tires to gain positions on the track, especially during the five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup rounds.
-Energy use covers both the use of 80-percent renewable biofuel, and in the case of LMDh cars, regenerative electric power.
-Running position / Finish position is self-explanatory, covering where each car stands during the race and ultimately finishes.
The award rewards teams for efficiency while not giving up performance.
With each category weighted equally, the three categories will be divided by three to produce a sustainability score for each car. Like in golf, a lower score is better. The best Sustainability Score determines the winner of the award, which may not necessarily be the best-finishing car on course.
Each race’s winner is recognized as part of the podium ceremonies with the lowest cumulative Sustainability Score recognized as the season champion and honored on stage at the IMSA WeatherTech Night of Champions.
“IMSA and Michelin have always represented the pinnacle of innovation and competition in sports car racing, and the debut of the IMSA Michelin Sustainability in Racing Award elevates that legacy in a meaningful new way,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “A key pillar of our partnership with Michelin is a shared, long‑standing commitment to advancing technologies and practices that reduce environmental impact while preserving the spirit of endurance racing. This award celebrates the teams and manufacturers who are leading the charge toward a more sustainable future for our sport, and we’re proud to showcase their efforts on one of motorsport’s biggest stages.”
“For more than 130 years, Michelin has seen racing as one of the greatest engines of progress,” said Raymond Cotton, director of motorsport for Michelin North America, Inc. “The IMSA Michelin Sustainability Award arrives with the launch of our Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance range made with 50 percent recycled and renewable materials. Together, they reinforce that performance and responsibility go hand in hand.”
