Hard fought day at Watkins Glen for Racing to End Alzheimer’s

Solid performance in the Michelin Pilot Challenge until a late race electrical issue

WATKINS GLEN, NY (June 24, 2025) – The Racing to End Alzheimer’s with Stephen Cameron Racing team came into the Watkins Glen weekend hoping to keep their five-race top 10 finishing streak alive, but a late race electrical issue ended the day early in the LP Building Solutions 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

Drivers Sean Quinlan and Greg Liefooghe worked hard all weekend to bring the No. 19 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Ford Mustang GT4 up to speed in the highly competitive series, this weekend supporting the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen. But as always, the on-track action was only part of the weekend’s story.

In his usual spot at the team transporter, Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder Phil Frengs spent the weekend speaking with fans in the popular Michelin Pilot Challenge paddock. As is the case with most of the circuits the series races at, the Watkins Glen fans are knowledgeable not just about the cars, but about programs like Racing to End Alzheimer’s. And of course, there are the moments Frengs cherishes with friends and family who have put a loved one’s name on the car.

“We actually had two people in a row on Friday that wanted to go over to the car in the garage and take a good look at their loved one’s name,” said Frengs. “In both cases, we had the opportunity to take a picture with us pointing to the name. They were both thrilled: tears came to the eyes of the first gentleman, whose grandmother’s name was on the car. And of course, Watkins Glen is such a cool place – it’s one of my favorite tracks. It’s so much fun to be here and everyone is so friendly.”

The No. 19 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Mustang gives families the chance to honor loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. For a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the Racing to End Alzheimer’s website’s tribute page. All donations are matched by Frengs’s company Legistics, with 100% going to the program’s two beneficiaries.

Put a loved one’s name on the car here.

Over two one-hour practice sessions – one Thursday afternoon, one Friday morning – the team focused on finding the speed that is crucial across Watkins Glen’s lightning fast 11-turn, 3.4-mile layout. The Ford Mustangs are still searching for that balance: in the car’s second year in the series, series management continues to tweak the marque’s balance of performance (BoP), which is the way they maintain an even playing field between all nine series manufacturers.

Quinlan qualified the Ford Mustang on Friday afternoon, starting the race in 16th position. Through the race’s early going, he made minute adjustments to the Racing to End Alzheimer’s Mustang, fine tuning brake bias and traction while holding his position on track. A yellow flag nearing the halfway point brought the field together, and as pit lane opened Quinlan headed in for fuel, four new Michelin tires, and a change to Liefooghe.

As his stint progressed, Liefooghe found the pace he was looking for: the fastest car on lap 45. He had paced the No. 19 into 12th position but with only five minutes remaining, the electrical system on the car ceased operating, and Liefooghe pulled as far off the racetrack as possible to finish in 19th.

“A disappointing finish for sure, but we’re encouraged to see the car progress,” said Frengs. “The team found a few things this weekend that we think will help in the future. On to CMTP!”

Next up for the Racing to End Alzheimer’s with Stephen Cameron Racing team and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series will be the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 on Saturday, July 12 at 1:25 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Peacock TV, and internationally on IMSA.tv and on IMSA’s YouTube channel – ad-free courtesy of Michelin