The pinnacle of sportscar endurance racing in North America is without a doubt the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series. 2024 saw record crowds at 10 of their 11 race weekends, furthering the growth that has been visible in racing for the past few years. For the first time, Stadium Journey presents our IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship rankings.
Tracks are ranked according to Stadium Journey's patented FANFARE rating scale, which takes into account a venue's food and beverage options, race day atmosphere, surrounding neighborhood, fan support, access (both inside and outside the track), return on investment, and an extra category for anything that doesn't fall in the other categories. When two or more tracks receive the same score, a Stadium Journey Council of Elders is consulted to break the ties. To view the complete review for each track, just click on the link below the photos of each event.
Let's get to our 2024 IMSA rankings…
Chris Green - The historic Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona is one of the most well-known sports car races in the world. An endurance battle that attracts the best manufacturers and drivers from around the world, this race is on any true race fan’s bucket list.
Chris Green - Road America is often regarded as one of the greatest race tracks in the world, let alone the US. Racing in a beautiful setting that proves to be both fan-friendly and easy to navigate, this summer event is a must-see on the IMSA schedule.
Chris Green - The Grand Prix of Long Beach is America’s longest-running street race, and it is easy to see why. The location in Southern California is perfect for a spring race in April, and the excitement on the track is also top-notch. Featuring the IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series as the top-billed race series, in addition to several support events, fans will have no shortage of action to watch while at this annual event.
Chris Green - The Detroit Grand Prix has a long history in motorsports. Initially racing through downtown streets, it moved to the city’s Belle Isle for several decades. Finally, starting in 2023, it has returned to downtown Detroit, complete with a wild mix of difficult corners ripe for exciting racing. On top of the on-track product, one could argue this is one of the single most accessible street races from a fan perspective, with an overwhelming majority of the track viewing opportunities in non-ticketed areas.
Chris Green - Petit Le Mans has become a cult classic event in the sportscar world. For 10 hours, the best in sportscar racing battle it out in a thrilling multi-class endurance race through the hills of northern Georgia. Nestled an hour north of Atlanta, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta offers some iconic sights and non-stop racing action over four days in the fall. And, being the season finale for multiple IMSA series, the stakes couldn’t be any higher.
Chris Green - While Indianapolis is synonymous with racing in America, North America’s premier sportscar series hadn’t run there since the early 2010s. New for 2024, the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series increased the length of its race, from the standard two and a half hours to a six-hour endurance race.
Chris Green - The historic Sebring 12-Hour sportscar race began in 1950 and has grown into one of the world’s most revered motorsports events during its long history. The world’s best drivers and teams have competed and won here, and every year seems to up the quality of the product on the track. If you are even a modest race fan, Sebring is a must-see for you.
Chris Green - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (also known as Mosport) is one of the best-known race courses in Canada, and indeed around the world. The fast, sweeping turns at the facility were created for Formula One’s golden days of speed, and the facility hosted the Canadian Grand Prix multiple times throughout the 1960s and 70s. The 2.459-mile circuit is a beacon for the North American racing fan, and features some of the best camping around, while also featuring some incredible on-track action. The annual summer visit from IMSA provides a great weekend of sportscar racing for fans in the True North.
Chris Green - WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-famous speedway housed atop the high hills outside of Monterey, California. The speedway has hosted some of the world’s biggest racing stars over various racing series, and continues to be a fan and driver favorite as the years progress. One of the biggest draws of the year, IMSA’s annual spring visit to the track brings large crowds and plenty of on-track action.
Chris Green - A week before the historic Rolex 24, Daytona International Speedway is already buzzing with race action. An event that used to be held three weeks before the current date, the Roar Before the 24 has now become part of the fabric that makes up IMSA’s return to racing in January.
Chris Green - The Wakins Glen 6 Hours began in 1948 at the famed road course in the finger lakes region of New York. Since then, the race has attracted some of the greatest racers in all of motorsports, across a wide variety of manufacturers. The area is full of beautiful trees, meaning fans can find some shade in the hot summer sun. In addition, the track is laid out to be one of the fastest road courses in North America, if not the world, making the on-track action some of the most exciting in all of sportscar racing.
Chris Green - The famed Virginia International Raceway has been a favorite visit among sportscar racers for decades. The winding roads through the hills of rural southern Virginia are challenging for many, while also providing a beautiful, verdant backdrop for some of racing’s best to test each other’s mettle. IMSA weekend is without a doubt the biggest race weekend of the year, which means this is a must-see for sportscar fans in the area.
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