IMSA VIR: Hawksworth and Vasser Sullivan Lexus earn pole

Halfway through the 15-minute qualifying session, it was Antonio Garcia in the No. 3 Corvette C8.R at the top of the speed charts.

The GTD Pro driver would better his time to a 1:45.133s, but it would not be enough. Jack Hawksworth in the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 was the first driver to dip into the 44s, putting down a 1:44.780s lap.

The No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo of Daniel Juncadella also managed to jump Garcia, and then set his eyes on the overall pole.

He had a bit of moment on his final flying lap, but kept his foot in it. It was an improvement, but not quite enough, just under a tenth shy of Hawksworth with a 1:44.876s lap. Garcia and Corvette Racing were third.

"It was hotter than what we had earlier, so the track felt greasy ... but I felt good," said Hawksworth after earning his third pole of the year. "The balance was good. I just put a clean lap together and the guys obviously gave me a rocket ship. Hats off to Vasser and everybody at Lexus. It's been such an amazing season for me and Ben (Barnicoat) and for this whole team. Just gotta keep it rolling into tomorrow."

Hawskworth added that he is most proud of the team's "consistency throughout the year. It's obviously been a long road to get to the point where we are obviously leading the points. There's still a lot of work to do to still win the championship. Consistency over the year has been mega. Proud of everyone and this is a great place to start tomorrow, but we're fully focused on the race. That's where the big points are and we'll put our heads down tomorrow to go get it."

#1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3: Bryan Sellers, Madison Snow (Photo by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images)

Both championship leaders proved why they are atop the standings on Saturday. While the No. 14 Lexus claimed pole in GTD Pro, the non-Pro GTD field was headed by none other than Madison Snow in the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3.

He ended the session with a 1:45.225s lap, denying Lexus a pole sweep. Aaron Telitz in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 was 0.153s adrift of Snow's fast time, clocking in second among the GTD class runners.

Loris Spinelli was third in the Forte Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2 entry.

There were a few cars finding their way into the dirt but no major incidents during the qualifying session.

"It's definitely hot out there, so you want to have the easiest job you can set yourself up for tomorrow," said Snow after snagging the GTD pole. "So if we can work our ass off today, maybe tomorrow will be a little bit easier starting on the front row."

He added: "We just keep getting better and better with the car. The team really keeps outdoing themselves. The more time we have with the car, the more we improve."

Cla	Drivers	#		Chassis	Time	km/h
1	JACK HAWKSWORTHBEN BARNICOATVasser Sullivan	14		Lexus RC F GT3	1'44.780	112.350
2	DANIEL JUNCADELLAJULES GOUNONWeatherTech Racing	79		Mercedes AMG GT3	+0.096	112.247
3	ANTONIO GARCIAJORDAN TAYLORCorvette Racing	3		Corvette C8.R GTD	+0.353	111.972
4	BRYAN SELLERSMADISON SNOWPaul Miller Racing	1		BMW M4 GT3	+0.445	111.875
5	FRANKIE MONTECALVOAARON TELITZVasser Sullivan	12		Lexus RC F GT3	+0.598	111.712
6	MIKHAIL GOIKHBERGLORIS SPINELLIForte Racing Powered by USRT	78		Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2	+0.636	111.672
7	MIKE SKEENMIKAEL GRENIERTeam Korthoff Motorsports	32		Mercedes AMG GT3	+0.667	111.639
8	PATRICK GALLAGHERROBBY FOLEYTurner Motorsport	96		BMW M4 GT3	+1.133	111.148
9	ROMAN DE ANGELISMARCO SORENSENHeart Of Racing Team	27		Aston Martin Vantage GT3	+1.138	111.143
10	KLAUS BACHLERPATRICK PILETPfaff Motorsports	9		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)	+1.194	111.084
11	ROSS GUNNALEX RIBERASHeart Of Racing Team	23		Aston Martin Vantage GT3	+1.197	111.081
12	BRENDAN IRIBEFREDERIK SCHANDORFFInception Racing	70		McLaren 720S GT3 EVO	+1.318	110.954
13	RUSSELL WARDPHILIP ELLISWinward Racing	57		Mercedes AMG GT3	+1.491	110.773
14	BILL AUBERLENCHANDLER HULLTurner Motorsport	97		BMW M4 GT3	+2.139	110.102
15	SHEENA MONK KATHERINE LEGGEGradient Racing	66		Acura NSX GT3	+2.724	109.503
16	PJ HYETT SEB PRIAULXAO Racing	80		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)	+2.764	109.462
17	ALAN METNI KAY VAN BERLOKellymoss with Riley	91		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)	+2.855	109.370
18	ALAN BRYNJOLFSSONTRENT HINDMANWright Motorsports	77		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)	+3.267	108.953
19	DAVID BRULEALEC UDELLKellymoss with Riley	92		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)	+4.450	107.773