Julien Andlauer and Lauren Heinrich will be competing separately at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach after sharing a race seat in the opening rounds of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. With the schedule switching to a sprint race format limiting two drivers per car, Heinrich will be racing with privateer JDC-Miller MotorSports in the #5 Porsche 963 alongside Tijmen van der Heim. Although this change may bring complexities to the championship standings, Andlauer sees it as a positive experience, emphasizing the opportunity for Heinrich to gain more track time and improve as a driver.
It will be intriguing to witness Heinrich maneuver the historic Long Beach street circuit for the first time, especially with a Porsche 963 lacking this year’s Evo updates. The decision by JDC-Miller MotorSports to maintain the 2025 specifications due to cost considerations could work in Heinrich’s favor, especially considering the different Balance of Performance adjustments given to the teams. As PPM faces increased weight and power restrictions, Heinrich with JDC could potentially pose a challenge to the factory squad.
Team Penske President Jonathan Diuguid recognizes the competitive potential of JDC-Miller MotorSports, acknowledging Heinrich’s talent and familiarity with the Porsche 963. With his experience from three previous races, Heinrich provides valuable feedback and insights to the team, potentially aiding in setting up the car for optimal performance. Overall, having Heinrich driving for JDC-Miller MotorSports adds depth to the Porsche group and offers valuable feedback for future improvements.
