Canadian Jesse Lazare takes third straight pole at Laguna Seca

Jesse Lazare, from Montreal, led the 20-minute qualifying session with a best time of 1 minute, 28.411 seconds in unseasonably cool temperatures at the scenic track in Monterey, California.

"The car is unbelievable," Lazare said. "Kelly-Moss keeps giving me the perfect package. I just have to keep working at it, and I'm trying not to make mistakes on my good laps and keep hitting the home run. This weather is perfect for the cars, and Porsches love this weather. And honestly, it feels like home to me."

Lazare, one of the top championship contenders, is looking to rebound after a tire puncture in Round 2 ended his chance of a weekend sweep of Rounds 1 and 2 in March at Sebring International Raceway. The top five drivers in the field at this event qualified within one second of each other, so starting from pole on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit can give him an upper hand.

Will Hardeman, from Austin, Texas, qualified second at 1:28.933 in the No. 19 Moorespeed Porsche. Hardeman ran in top three through both practices Thursday before earning his career-best starting position.

Lucas Catania, from Cazenovia, New York, was third at 1:29.005 in the No. 26 NGT Motorsport Porsche, followed by Jeff Mosing, from Austin, Texas, in the No. 01 TOPP Racing Porsche at 1:29.053.

Andrew Longe, from Naples, Florida, rounded out the top five at 1:29.066 in the No. 47 Wright Motorsports Porsche.

IMSA