A Familiar Face in the IMSA Paddock Says Goodbye at Watkins Glen

As a Michelin trackside support representative, Brian's job has always extended far beyond simply providing tires.

"I do trackside support for Michelin, which means I am the technical liaison between Michelin and the appropriate teams that I'm assigned to," he explained.

His mission has been straightforward: help teams get the most from their Michelin tires.

"My role is to ensure that they get the most out of those tires that they can, that they're optimizing the use of them."

That work requires a deep understanding of tire behavior, vehicle setup, race strategy, and the unique demands of every circuit on the IMSA calendar. Throughout his career,  Brian has served as a trusted resource for teams, helping transform tire data into competitive advantage.

Over 20-plus years in motorsports, Brian has witnessed remarkable changes in racing technology.

"You know, having done this for 20 plus years, I have to admit the one thing that I've seen big changes in is technology," he said. "Both from the car point of view and when I first started, we didn't have tire pressure monitor systems. It was all seat-of-the-pants. It really was a challenge."

The 2026 season brought yet another milestone with the introduction of Michelin's latest tire technology.

"We have a new tire this year, so it's very exciting. People are always taking pictures of it, asking about it. It doesn't physically create a tread pattern for grip or anything, but it's strictly to identify that this has the new generation of materials in it."

As tire technology continues to evolve, so does the expertise required to help teams unlock maximum performance. Throughout his tenure, Brian helped bridge that gap between innovation and execution.

Even in an era of advanced telemetry and real-time data, some aspects of tire analysis remain hands-on.

"My main tool of the trade is this tire pressure and temperature device," Brian explained. "I will take this needle and stick it into the tire in various places that we consider to be critical shoulder areas where you get a lot of heat buildup."

Those measurements provide valuable insights into how a tire is performing under race conditions and help teams fine-tune their setups for maximum consistency and speed.

It's meticulous work, often performed behind the scenes and away from the spotlight, yet it plays a critical role in endurance racing success.

Among the many memories accumulated throughout his career, one story stands out.

"There was one team manager that if anytime we placed, he would bring the bottom of the champagne bottle to me as a thank you for supporting the team," 

It was a simple gesture, but one that reflected the close bonds formed between Michelin personnel and the teams they support.

"Stuff like that means a lot. Teams treat you like family."

For Brian, those relationships are the ultimate measure of success.

"That means that we've done our job."

As the checkered flag fell on another thrilling edition of the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, it also marked the conclusion of an important chapter in Michelin's IMSA story.

While Brian Monprode may be stepping away from his official trackside duties, his impact will continue to be felt throughout the paddock. Through decades of technological change, countless race weekends, and enduring partnerships with teams, he helped demonstrate that success in motorsports is built not only by the drivers and cars seen on track, but also by the dedicated people working behind the scenes.

Retirement may offer the quiet time he's looking forward to, but for many in the IMSA community, Brian Monprode will always be part of the team.