Celso Neto Returns to Podium in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, This Time in Toronto

Toronto (CAN), July 13, 2025

The sixth round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge was a turning point for Brazilian driver Celso Neto (AMED / Dipromed / LS Interbank / SODI USA by Velocity Racing / Precision Racing LA), who climbed onto the podium in third place alongside his teammate, American Ryan Eversley. The result marks an important return to prominent positions for Neto since his debut at Daytona in the TCR category.

Celso arrived at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park track in Toronto with the clear objective of changing the landscape of his recent results in the category. The Brazilian driver's determination was evident from the first moments he put the number 7 Audi RS3 on the Canadian track, demonstrating the speed necessary to fight among the front-runners.

After free practice, when the Brazilian posted the third-best time in the second session, Neto prepared for qualifying that would define his position on the starting grid. The consistent performance during practice had created positive expectations for qualifying, signaling that the Brazilian driver was finding the ideal car setup.

With a lap time of 1min23sec910, Celso managed to line up in the third row of his category, securing sixth place on the grid. The time achieved represented a good result for the Precision Racing LA duo, placing them in a favorable position to fight for prominent positions during Saturday's race (12th).

In the race, Celso Neto went to the start and immediately showed his skill by managing to move up to fourth place within his initial stint, for a 2-hour race duration. The Brazilian driver demonstrated control and speed, gaining one more position to occupy third place before fulfilling his part of the strategy established by the team.

During his pit stop, Celso handed the car over to Ryan Eversley in fourth position, after a solid performance that kept the duo in the fight for the podium. The driver change was executed precisely, allowing the American to take the wheel under favorable conditions for the final part of the race.

Ryan Eversley took command of the Audi RS3 and drove the car to the end of the race, fighting intensely to recover third place on track. Despite suffering more from tire wear than the competitors, the safety car deployment in the final part helped the Neto and Eversley duo maintain their tire compounds for an insane battle in the final laps, from first to ninth place. The American demonstrated all his experience and determination to cross the finish line in podium position.

"It was a super chaotic race, very tough, many crashes, a lot of traffic here in Canada, but we're back on the podium. I'm very happy with that. I want to thank my team, Ryan, my car partner, my sponsors, AMED, Oeste Cotton, Velocity Racing. Next is Road America, see you there," declared Celso Neto right after the podium ceremony, showing satisfaction with the result achieved.

The Brazilian duo returns to the United States to compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in three weeks, in another round scheduled to take place between August 1st and 3rd, at Road America track in Plymouth, in the American state of Wisconsin. The positive result in Toronto will certainly give extra confidence to Celso Neto and Ryan Eversley as they seek new podiums in the remainder of the season.


Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Assessoria

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