Brazilian Driver Celso Neto Debuts with Podium Finish in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Season

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Daytona Beach, FL – January 24, 2025

Last Friday (24) was filled with speed and excitement at the legendary Daytona International Speedway, Florida, during the preliminary races of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Michelin Pilot Challenge, part of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) calendar, featured the participation of Brazilian driver Celso Neto (AMED / Dipromed / LS Interbank / SODI USA by Velocity Racing / Team: Precision Racing LA), who kicked off the season behind the wheel of the TCR-class Audi RS3.

After an intense week of preparation, including practice and qualifying sessions, Celso took on the starting duties in the 4-hour endurance race, sharing driving responsibilities with American teammate Ryan Eversley. Competing in the #7 car of the Precision Racing LA team, Neto started from fourth on the grid, securing a spot on the second row.

From the start, Celso set a competitive and consistent pace, even taking the lead at one point in the race. The Brazilian delivered some remarkable moments, including an outside overtake where three cars went side by side through the "bus stop" chicane. He also showed quick reflexes to avoid a crash ahead involving three TCR category cars. With a stint lasting over two and a half hours, Neto played a crucial role in the team's strategy, which relied on making one less pit stop than their rivals. "I had to balance maintaining strong lap times and managing tire wear to make this strategy work," explained the Brazilian driver.

When it was time to hand over the car to Ryan Eversley, Celso was running in third, a testament to his hard work in the earlier laps. "It was one of my career's most challenging and rewarding stints. The car felt incredibly well-balanced, and the team did an outstanding job preparing throughout the week," Neto emphasized.

In the final segment of the race, Ryan adopted a conservative yet effective approach, ensuring the Audi RS3 remained among the front runners. The duo crossed the finish line in third place, earning a podium finish for Precision Racing LA and starting the season on a high note.

Celso celebrated the result but is already looking ahead to the next challenges: "It was very tough. We all knew that in a four-hour race, it was crucial to make it to the end in good shape to achieve a strong result. That was our main focus, and we managed to accomplish it. I didn’t have much track time with the car in today’s conditions: it was a bit hotter, with more fuel onboard, and the tires were more worn by the end of the stint, which made braking trickier and significantly impacted the car’s traction. Overall, it was a great learning experience for the rest of the season."

The next round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is scheduled to take place from March 12 to 15 at Sebring International Raceway, also in Florida.

With consistent performances and a well-aligned team, Celso Neto emerges as one of the standout Brazilian drivers on the international motorsport stage in 2025. The third place in Daytona marks the beginning of a season poised for significant achievements.


By Kako Marques / KMCom Press Office

Follow Celso Neto on Instagram:
@Cneto_racing