IndyCars - The off-season: Series news and comment until the March 2014 kick-off

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The subs are called…

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At Road America this weekend Oliver Askew will fill in at Ed Carpenter Racing for an injured Rinus VeeKay in the # 21 Honda and Kevin Magnussen will fill in at Arrow McLaren SP for injured Felix Rosenqvist in the # 07 Chevrolet, as neither Rinus nor Felix have been cleared to race by IndyCar Medical.

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Oliver Askew in for Rinus…,
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…and Kevin Magnussen in for Felix
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Magnussen WON his first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race last weekend for Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing, driving the # 01 Cadillac DPi V.R with co-driver Renger van der Zande and got the nod from AMSP because he drove for McLaren in Formula One in 2014.

Kevin and IndyCar rookie Romain Grosjean were teammates in Formula One at Haas F1 from 2017 to 2020 and met up for the first time since then at Detroit. Now they will be racing each other on the same track at Road America. Neat!

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Kevin (left) and Romain chew the fat at Detroit
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Magnussen’s first laps in an IndyCar will take place in the open practice session on Friday at Road America. Welcome to the fray!

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Lukas and Abby go to the Indy 500…

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Back in post # 1345 we told you about what the Hy-Vee grocery chain did for a veteran suffering from PTSD. Hy-Vee, which sponsors Rahal Letterman Lanigan IndyCar efforts and was the primary sponsor on the # 45 Honda for Santino Ferrucci at the 2021 Indy 500, sent Lukas and Abby Schroeder to the 500 as guests of RLL.

HSTV is the in-house streaming network for the chain and they have chronicled the weekend with Lukas and Abbey. Part 1 was in post # 1345 while part 2 is here:

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Well done, Hy-Vee.

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Fast Forward: We revisit Road America…

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We were not really impressed with the race highlights reel that was released from last weekend’s race from Road America. It didn’t begin to cover the action that this race had, all through the field and all through the race, from the frantic start to the dramatic finish.

If you didn’t see the race - or, even if you did - this Fast Forward 1/2 hour vid is a better place to see what was offered for your entertainment and edification by the drivers and teams of IndyCar.

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After the race rookie Romain Grosjean said, “I must say, that was the funnest race ever in my career!”

Road America never disappoints.

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It’s time for IMSA’s annual visit to the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York…

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…to do the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, this coming weekend. The 6-hour race is at Watkins Glen International - one of North America’s best and most challenging natural road courses, with a long and storied history - and is the third of the four Michelin Endurance Cup races in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

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Supporting the WeatherTech gang this weekend will be the Michelin Pilot Challenge series, the Porsche Carrera Cup North America series and Lamborghini Super Trofeo and there will be at least 1 IndyCar or Road to Indy driver in all four of them and as IndyCar has the weekend off, some of them will be current drivers. Let’s see who all of them are, starting with the WeatherTech gang:

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DPi class - Former Indy Lights champ Tristan Vautier will drive the # 5 Cadillac DPi V.R for JDC-Miller Motorsports with co-driver Loic Duval. Added for the 6-Hour is current IndyCar driver Sebastien Bourdais. This same all-French squad WON the Sebring 12 Hour this year.

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Tristan Vautier (left) and Sebastien Bourdais
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IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi just got the call to come in as the “add” in the # 10 Acura ARX-05 DPi for Wayne Taylor Racing, with regulars Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor. These three, along with IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, WON the Rolex 24 at Daytona this season, while Ricky and Filipe also WON the sprint race at Mid-Ohio. As a result, they lead the points.

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Alexander Rossi
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Former Indy Pro 2000 driver Pipo Derani is a regular in the # 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi V.R for Action Express. His co-driver in the car is Felipe Nasr. Added for the race will be English IndyCar driver Mike Conway.

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Pipo Derani (left) and Mike Conway
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IndyCar rookie Jimmie Johnson will drive the # 48 Ally Cadillac Racing Cadillac DPi V.R with co-driver Kamui Kobayashi. Also in the car will be current IndyCar driver Simon Pagenaud. This car and this squad is only doing some of the endurance races and they did well at Daytona, coming in P2 with additional help from Mike Rockenfeller.

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Jimmie Johnson (left) and Simon Pagenaud
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LMP2 class - Former Indy Lights driver and IMSA champ James French will be the add in the # 8 ORECA 07 Gibson with regulars John Farano and Gabriel Aubry. This car came in P2 at Daytona, but James wasn’t driving that weekend.

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James French
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LMP3 class - USF2000 alum and former IMSA Prototype Challenge champ Austin McCusker will drive the # 7 Duqueine D08 for Forty 7 Motorsports. Austin’s co-drivers are still “TBD”, so we don’t know who they are, but they will be very fortunate to have Austin leading the squad.

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Austin McCusker
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The # 36 Ligier JS P320 for Andretti Autosport has an all-IndyCar squad, with Indy Lights champ and IndyCar driver Oliver Askew, IndyCar driver Marco Andretti and Indy Lights driver and Pirelli GT4 champ Jarett Andretti.

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Oliver Askew (left), Marco Andretti and Jarett Andretti (right)
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Road to Indy ace Rasmus Lindh will drive the # 38 Ligier JS P320 for Performance Tech Motorsports with co-driver Mateo LLarena.

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Rasmus Lindh
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GTLM class - Road to Indy ace Connor De Phillippi will drive the # 25 BMW M8 GTE for BMW Team RLL with co-drivers Philipp Eng and Bruno Spengler. This car and the # 24 sister car are only doing the endurance races in 2021, while the class ends its existence at season’s end.

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Connor De Phillippi
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GTD class - Vasser Sullivan loves former IndyCar guys in their cars, so Road to Indy ace and IndyCar driver Zach Veach is one of the regulars in the # 12 Lexus RCF GT3, along with Frankie Montecalvo. These guys were P2 at Mid-Ohio. Added to the car for the Glen is Indy Lights driver Robert Megennis. Zach is recovering from COVID -19 so he MAY NOT make the race…stay tuned for updated info.

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Zach Veach (left) and Rob Megennis
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In Vaser Sullivan’s # 14 Lexus RCF GT3 there is a full IndyCar squad, with 2 former Indy Pro 2000 champs and Road to Indy aces, Jack Hawksworth and Aaron Telitz. Added for the Glen is a 3rd Indy Pro 2000 champ and Road to Indy ace, Kyle Kirkwood. It’s remarkable how parallel all their careers have been.

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Aaron Telitz (left), Jack Hawksworth and Kyle Kirkwood (right)
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Former Champ Car driver Jan Heylen is the add in the # 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Wright Motorsports, aiding regulars Patrick Long and Trent Hindman. This same squad was P2 at Sebring and P4 at Daytona, with help from Klaus Bachler.

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Jan Heylen
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Former Champ Car driver Katherine Legge is a regular in the # 88 Team Hardpoint EBM Porsche 911 GT3 R with co-driver Rob Ferriol. Added for the Glen is Andrew Davis.

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Katherine Legge
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Tomorrow, we will detail the IndyCar folks in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series, the Porsche Carrera Cup North America series and in Lamborghini Super Trofeo, as well as any last-minute adds to the WeatherTech field.

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It’s time for IMSA’s annual visit to the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York…(part 2)…

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Here are the IndyCar guys competing in the support series to the WeatherTech gang:

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  • The Michelin Pilot Challenge series has a number of IndyCar guys in both the Grand Sport class and the Touring Car class. They are…

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GS class - Former Indy Lights champ and IndyCar driver Spencer Pigot drives the # 3 McLaren 570S GT4 for Motorsports in Action with co-driver Sheena Monk.

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Spencer Pigot
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Former Champ Car driver Jan Heylen will be pulling double duty this weekend, not only helping out Wright Motorsports in their WeatherTech GTD-class Porsche 911, but also driving their # 16 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, which is his regular ride. Co-driver in the car is Ryan Hardwick.

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Jan Heylen
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TCR class - Indy Pro 2000 alum and paraplegic Michael Johnson will drive the # 54 Hyundai Veloster N TCR for Michael Johnson Racing, using hand controls. The car is prepped by Brian Herta Autosport and Michael’s co-driver is Stephen Simpson. These guys podiumed at Daytona, this season

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Michael Johnson
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Road to Indy Shootout contestant and former Porsche Challenge champ Trenton Estep will drive the # 81 Hyundai Veloster N TCR for CB Motorsports with co-driver Mark Kvamme.

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Trenton Estep
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Former Indy Lights driver and 2020 TCR class champion Ryan Norman will drive the # 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport with co-driver Parker Chase. The pair are coming off the WIN at Mid-Ohio, last month.

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Ryan Norman
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  • The Porsche Carrera Cup North America series only has two IndyCar guys in it, but both are good ones:

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Pro class - Road to Indy ace Parker Thompson drives the # 9 Porsche 992 Cup car for JDX Racing. He is coming off a WIN at Circuit of the Americas, in May.

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Parker Thompson
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Indy Pro 2000 alum TJ Fischer drives the # 58 Porsche 992 Cup car for Topp Racing

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TJ Fischer
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  • Finally, there is only one IndyCar guy in Lamboghini Super Trofeo, but he’s dynamite:

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Pro class - Road to Indy ace Jake Eidson is in the # 6 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo for O’Gara Motorsport / USRT with co-driver Steven Aghakhani. The pair already have 3 podiums in 4 starts, but are looking for that first WIN of the season.

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Jake Eidson
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In late news, it was learned that Dan Goldburg will also be in the # 38 Ligier JS P320 for Performance Tech Motorsports in the LMP3 class of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series, joining Road to Indy ace Rasmus Lindh and Mateo Llarena. There was some doubt if the car would even have an engine to compete with, after blowing theirs at Mid-Ohio, last month, as spare Nissan powerplants were virtually non-existent, but one was flown in on Monday from France.

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We’re also hearing there may be some doubt as to whether the # 7 Duqueine D08 for Forty 7 Motorsports will make the race, which is why IndyCar driver Austin McCusker is the only one listed, at this point. No reason has been given for the iffy entry.

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More weekend news when it becomes available…

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Neat pic from Watkins Glen…

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Andretti Autosport is fielding an LMP3-class car in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, this weekend, and the 3 IndyCar guys in the # 36 are already planning their strategies.

That’s Jarett Andretti on the left, Marco Andretti in the middle and Oliver Askew on the right:

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It will be fun to watch them carry it out.

Practice for both Porsche Carrera Cup NA and Lamborghini Super Trofeo starts on Thursday at Watkins Glen.

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Great news for Ryan Norman - He’s getting a shot in the big cars, next weekend…

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The Indy Lights race WINNER and 2020 TCR class Champion of the Michelin Pilot Challenge series will be racing a Hyundai Elantra N TCR in the TCR class for Bryan Herta Autosport, this weekend, but next weekend he will jump into the # 52 Honda for Dale Coyne Racing w/ Rick Ware Racing at Mid-Ohio, making his debut in the big cars.

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Ryan Norman
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Said Ryan, “My goal throughout my whole racing career has been to become an NTT IndyCar Series driver. So many years of hard work and sacrifices have finally paid off and I want to thank Dale Coyne for giving me a shot to show what I can do in the series. It’s an honor to be able to drive for DCR. They have shown over the years that they have created a great competitive program and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together. I’m more prepared than ever before to show that I belong in IndyCar and can fight for podiums and wins. It’s time to get to work!”

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Ryan not only took the IMSA championship last year, but was also SCCA National Runoffs Champion in Atlantics in 2016, as well as the Atlantics Championship series champ, the same year. “Flyin’ Ryan” knows open wheel.

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Good luck, this weekend and next weekend!

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Thursday at Watkins Glen - The Porsches and the Lambos practice…

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First to get a chance at the track today were the gang from Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Lamborghini Super Trofeo and we have the TOP THREE performers for the day in each series, by combining the two practice session each got. First, the Porsches…

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Porsche Pro class - The HOT SHOE for the day was Kay van Berlo for Kelly-Moss Road and Race in the # 3 Porsche 992 with a P-1 time of 1:48.253s for a speed of 113.068mph. Kay bested teammate Seb Priaulx’s P-1 time in the # 15 Porsche by 0.323 seconds. Third quickest was Riley Dickinson with his P-2 time in the # 53 Porsche for Team Hardpoint EBM.

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The Kelly-Moss Road & Race # 3 Porsche 992 - TOPS for the day
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Kay van Berlo
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Lamborghini Super Trofeo also put in two practice sessions and we have the TOP THREE guys there, too:

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The RABBIT for the sessions was Pro/Am class driver Loris Spinelli in the # 51 Lamborghini Huracan for Taurino Racing who put in a P-2 session time of 1:45.375s for a speed of 116.156mph. Loris beat out Alec Udell in the # 48 Pro class Lambo for Kelly-Moss Road & Race by a healthy 0.695 seconds. Third quickest was Richard Antinucci in the # 27 Pro class Lambo for Dream Racing Motorsport.

Loris shares the # 51 Lambo with Claude Senhoreti. Alec and Richard drive alone.

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The # 51 Lamborghini Huracan for Taurino Racing -TOPS for the day
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Loris Spinelli
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On Friday, everyone else in a race this weekend will come out for practice, while the Lambos, Porsches and the Michelin Pilot Challenge gang all qualify. In the afternoon, the Lambos and the Porsches each hold Race 1 of their weekend - a busy day.

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Friday morning at Watkins Glen - the Michelin Pilot Challenge gang practice…

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…and then qualified for the Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 - the four-hour race they will have on Saturday. We have the TOP THREE in each of the two classes for the day. They were:

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Grand Sport class - The HOT SHOE for practice was Trent Hindman in the # 7 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for VOLT Racing with Archangel with a P-2 session time, but when it came to qualifying pole was taken by Kuno Wittmer in the # 13 McLaren 570S GT4 for AWA with a time of 1:54.240s for a speed of 107.142mph. Kuno bested Michael Cooper in another McLaren 570S GT4, the # 34 for Blackdog Speed Shop, by 0.184 seconds. P3 on the grid will be the # 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for Notlad Racing by RS1, thanks to qualifier Patrick Gallagher.

Kuno’s co-driver in the # 13 McLaren is Orey Fidani while Michael’s co-driver in the # 34 McLaren is Spencer Pumpelly. Patrick shares the Aston with Stevan McAleer.

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The # 13 McLaren 570S GT4 for AWA and Kuno Wittmer - on the pole
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Touring Car class - The LEAD FOOT for practice was Todd Lamb in the # 94 Honda Civic FK7 TCR for Atlanta Speedwerks with a P-2 session time, but it was teammate Robert Noaker in the # 84 Honda that took pole in qualifying with a time of 1:56.046s for a speed of 105.475mph. Robert beat out Todd by a healthy 0.825 seconds. P3 on the grid will be another Honda, the # 88 Civic FK7 TCR for VGMC Racing, LLC, thanks to Victor Gonzales.

Robert shares the # 84 Honda with Brian Henderson while Todd shares the # 94 Honda with Ryan Eversley. Victor’s co-driver in the # 88 Honda is Karl Wittmer.

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The # 84 Honda Civic FK7 TCR for Atlanta Speedwerks and Robert Noaker - on pole
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The Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 will be on Saturday afternoon, starting at 2:30 EASTERN time, available on NBC Sports Gold.

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Friday at Watkins Glen - The Lamborghinis hold Race 1 of the weekend…

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Lamborghini Super Trofeo qualified in the morning and raced in the afternoon and taking the WIN in the first of two races was Richard Antinucci in the # 27 Pro class Huracan Super Trofeo Evo for Dream Racing Motorsport, from his P2 start. P2 at the end were closer Jeroen Mul and starter Stevan McAleer in the Pro class # 16 for Dream Racing from their P3 start while P3 went to Alec Udell in the # 48 for Kelly-Moss Road & Race from his first series pole.

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Richard Antinucci
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Udell led the field to the green flag, but Antinucci managed to hang to the outside of the pole-sitter in Turn 1 on the first lap and completed the pass for the lead in the esses. From there, it was just a matter of controlling the race to the end. McAleer and Mul combined to make it tough for Antinucci, but were unable to find a way around him. It looked like P3 was going to go to IndyCar driver Jake Eidson and co-driver Steven Aghakhani but their # 6 Lambo suffered a crash stemming from an apparent tire puncture in Turn 8 in the final minutes, allowing Alec Udell to claim the final podium spot.

This was Antinucci’s 4th WIN of the season. He will start from P1 in Pro class in Race 2 on Saturday, with Jake Eidson in P2 and Alec Udell in P3 for the start. On pole will be Pro/Am driver Loris Spinelli.

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Friday at Watkins Glen - Porsche Carrera Cup NA holds Race 1 of the weekend…

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…and taking the WIN and now the points lead was Kay van Berlo in the # 3 Porsche for Kelly-Moss Road & Race from a P3 start. Taking P2 was pole-sitter Maxwell Root in the # 7 Porsche for Moorespeed-Wright Motorsports while P3 went to Indy Pro 2000 alum TJ Fischer for Topp Racing from his P4 start.

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Kay van Berlo
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At the start of the race, P2-starter Seb Priaulx for Kelly-Moss was penalized for changing his line before the green flag and had to serve a drive though penalty. That allowed van Berlo to close on Root and finally take the lead after 15 minutes of racing by out-braking Maxwell in the Heel of the Boot right-hand turn. As van Berlo skated away, Root came under attack from a group of cars led by TJ Fischer and Riley Dickenson for Team Hardpoint EBM. Van Berlo was able to open up a 9 second lead over Root at the end, while Fischer battled with Dickenson for P3 to the finish.

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Race 2 on Saturday will have the same starting grid, with Root again on pole, Priaulx nex to him, van Belro and Fischer in the 2nd row.

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Friday afternoon at Watkins Glen - the WeatherTech gang hold first practice…

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…for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen and we have the TOP THREE for each class here, starting with DPi class:

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DPi class - The HOT SHOE for DPi class was Olivier Pla in the # 60 Acura ARX-05 for Meyer Shank Racing with a time of 1:31.056s for a speed of 134.422mph. Olivier bested IndyCar driver Mike Conway in the # 31 Whelen Cadillac DPi V.R by 0.591 seconds. Third quickest was Renger van der Zande in the # 01 Cadillac for Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing.

Olivier will share the Acura with Dane Cameron while Mike shares the Whelen Caddy with Felipe Nasr and IndyCar guy Pipo Derani. Renger’s co-driver is Kevin Magnussen. They are coming off the WIN at the Detroit sprint race.

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The # 60 Acura ARX-05 for Meyer Shank Racing - TOPS for the day
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Olivier Pla
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LMP2 class - The RABBIT in class was Tristan Nunez in the # 11 ORECA 07 Gibson for WIN Autosport with a time of 1:33.836s for a speed of 130.440mph. Tristan got over John Farano in the # 8 ORECA 07 Gibson for Tower Motorsports by a TEENSY 0.045 seconds. Third quickest was Scott Huffaker in the # 52 ORECA 07 Gibson for PR1 / Mathiasen Motorsports.

Tristan’s co-drivers in the # 11 are Thomas Merrill and Steven Thomas while John’s co-drivers in the # 8 are Gabriel Aubry and IndyCar guy James French. Scott shares the # 52 with Ben Keating and Mikkel Jensen.

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The # 11 ORECA 07 Gibson for WIN Autosport - TOPS for the day
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Tristan Nunez
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LMP3 class - The LEAD FOOT for the session was IndyCar driver Oliver Askew in the # 36 Ligier JS P320 for Andretti Autosport with a time of 1:40.812s for a speed of 121.414mph. Oliver got the better of Colin Braun in the # 54 Ligier JS P320 for CORE Autosport by a tiny 0.083 seconds. Third quickest was Felipe Fraga in the # 74 Ligier for Riley Motorsports.

Oliver shares the # 36 with Marco Andretti and Jarett Andretti while Colin shares the # 54 with Jonathan Bennett and George Kurtz. Felipe’s co-drivers are Gar Robinson and Scott Andrews.

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The # 36 Ligier JS P320 for Andretti Autosport - TOPS for the day
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Oliver Askew
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GTLM class - The BIG KAHUNA for the day was Nick Tandy in the # 4 Corvette C8.R for Corvette Racing with a time of 1:42.517s for a speed of 119.394mph. Nick took it to teammate Antonio Garcia in the # 3 Corvette by 0.157 seconds. Third quickest was Jesse Krohn in the # 24 BMW M8 GTE for BMW Team RLL.

Nick’s co-driver is Tommy Milner while Antonio’s co-driver is Jordan Taylor. Jesse shares the Bimmer with Augusto Farfus and John Edwards.

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The # 4 Corvette C8.R for Corvette Racing - TOPS for the day.
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Nick Tandy
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GTD class - the WILD THANG for the day was IndyCar driver Jack Hawksworth in the # 14 Lexus RCF GT3 for Vasser Sullivan with a time of 1:46.673s for a speed of 114.743mph. Jack trumped Patrick Long in the # 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Wright Motorsports by 0.188 seconds. Third quickest was Jaden Conwright in the # 42 Audi R8 LMS GT3 for NTE Sport.

Jack shares the Lexus with IndyCar guys Kyle Kirkwood and Aaron Telitz while Patrick shares the Porsche with Trent Hindman and IndyCar driver Jan Heylen. Jaden’s co-drivers are Don Yount and Markus Palttala.

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The # 14 Lexus RCF GT3 for Vasser Sullivan - TOPS for the day
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Jack Hawksworth
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On Saturday the WeatherTech gang will hold another practice in the morning and then qualify in the afternoon. This was the last on-track activity of the day.

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Saturday morning at Watkins Glen - Porsche Carrera Cup NA hold Race 2…

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…of the weekend, and sweeping the weekend for Kelly-Moss Road & Race was Nederlander Kay van Berlo in the # 3 Porsche 992, from his P3 start. Coming in P2 was English teammate Seb Priaulx from pole, while completing the podium was Leh Keen in the # 12 porsche for 311RS Motorsport.

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Kay van Berlo
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The opening lap determined much as by the time the cars were past Turn 1 P2 starter Max Root for Moorespeed-Wright Motorsports was pushed outside and fell to P4 behind van Berlo and Keen. On lap 2 Dylan Murry for BGB Motorsports lightly punted Ryan Gates for 311RS Motorsport in the rear, as theyexited Turn 7 and it was enough to spin Gates around and into the walls, bringing out a full-course caution to retrieve him.

After the restart, with about 30 minutes to go, Priaulx was able the eke out a decent lead while van Berlo was under attack from Keen, with a scrum of cars close, trying for P4. As the race progressed van Berlo escaped Keen and went after Priaulx, finally catching him, nose to tail with 2 laps to go.

On the final lap as the cars approached the Inner Loop, Seb moved to the left for the ideal racing line entering the Bus Stop, but van Berlo dived right, into the hole provided, and was aside Priaulx. Priaulx locked up the brakes trying to make the loop and skipped across the grass while van Berlo negotiated the loop. It seemed impossible that they wouldn’t collide, but they didn’t, as van Berlow emerged in the lead. He crossed the line 1.48 seconds ahead of the Englishman.

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With these results Kay van Berlo takes the series points lead with 115 points over Seb Priaulx, with 105 points. 3rd in points is IndyCar driver Parker Thompson with 74 points. The two Kelly-Moss drivers are running away.

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Next up for Porsche Carrera Cup North America will be at Road America, August 6-8 in support of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship weekend.

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Saturday morning at Watkins Glen - Lamborghini Super Trofeo Race 2…

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…was WON overall and in Pro class by IndyCar driver and starter Jake Eidson and closer Steven Aghakhani in the # 6 Huracan Super Trofeo Evo for O’Gara Motorsport / USRT from their P3 start. Coming in P2 overall and P1 in Pro/Am class was driver Dario Capitanio in the # 22 Huracan for Dream Racing Motorsport while P3 went to Pro class Alec Udell in the # 48 Huracan for Kelly-Moss Road & Race.

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Steven and Jake

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Jake Eidson (left) and Steven Aghakhani
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Pole-sitter Loris Spinelli in the Pro/Am class # 51 for Taurino Racing controlled the first half of the race, until the mandatory pit stop, when he turned the car over to co-driver Claude Senhoreti who lost the lead in the exchange to P2 starter Richard Antinucci in the Pro class # 27 for Dream Racing Motorsport, but Race Control later determined that Antinucci manipulated the pit speed for cars behind him and was handed a drive-through penalty for the infraction.

That left Aghakhani in the lead, after getting the # 6 from Jake Eidson on the exchange. Chasing Steven for the remainder of the race were Capitanio and Udell, both only a few feet off his rear. The three cars held station for the rest of the race, which included a nail-biting additional lap, due to time running out just after the cars passed the start / finish line.

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Notable:

  • This is the first WIN of the season for Jake and Steven, though they have either broken or been on the podium for every other race.

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The next outings for Lamborghini Super Trofeo will be at Road America, August 6-8 in support of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship weekend.

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Saturday at Watkins Glen - The WeatherTech gang practice and qualify…

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The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series came out this morning for a final practice before qualifying for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, in the afternoon. We have the TOPs in practice and the TOPTHREE qualifiers for each class here:

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DPi class - TOPS in practice this morning was Dane Cameron in the # 60 Acura ARX-05 for Meyer Shank Racing, but in qualifying it was the # 10 Acura for Wayne Taylor Racing that took pole, with Ricky Taylor’s time of 1:30.022s for a speed of 135.966mph. Ricky beat out Dane by 0.119 seconds. P3 on the grid will be the # 01 Cadillac DPi V.R for Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing, thanks to Renger van der Zande’s efforts.

Ricky’s co-drivers are regular Filipe Albuquerque and IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi . These guy WON at Daytona, this year, with help from IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves. Ricky and Filipe also took the WIN at Mid Ohio. Dane’s co-driver is Frenchman Olivier Pla, while Renger’s co-driver is Kevin Magnussen. Renger and Kevin WON the last race, at Detroit.

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The # 10 Acura ARX-05 for Wayne Taylor Racing - On the pole
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Ricky Taylor
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LMP2 class - TOPS in practice this morning was Scott Huffaker in the # 52 ORECA 07 Gibson for PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports, but in qualifying Steven Thomas stole pole in a last lap effort that saw the # 11 ORECA for WIN Autosport take it with a time of 1:35.304s for a speed of 128.431mph. Steven eclipsed Ben Keating in the # 52 by a TEENSY 0.018 seconds. P3 on the grid will be the # 18 ORECA for Era Motorsport driven by Dwight Merriman.

Steven shares the # 11 with Thomas Merrill and Tristan Nunez while Ben and Scott share the # 52 with Mikkel Jensen. Dwight’s co-drivers are Ryan Dalziel and Kyle Tilley.

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The # 11 ORECA 07 Gibson for WIN Autosport - on the pole
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Steven Thomas
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LMP3 class - TOPS in practice was Felipe Fraga in the # 74 Riley Motorsports Ligier JS P320, but in qualifying IndyCar driver Austin McCusker took the # 2 Ligier for United Autosport USA to pole with a time of 1:40.404s for a speed of 121.907mph. Austin bested IndyCar driver Jarett Andretti in the # 36 Ligier for Andretti Autosport by a healthy 0.570 seconds. Starting P3 will be George Kurtz in the # 54 Ligier for CORE Autosport.

Austin just joined the United Autosport team this weekend, and great for them! His new co-drivers are Niklas Kruetten and Edouard Cauhaupe. Jarett’s co-drivers are IndyCar guys Oliver Askew and Marco Andretti. George shares the # 54 with Jonathan Bennett and Colin Braun.

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The # 2 Ligier JS P320 for United Autosport USA - on the pole
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Austin McCusker
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GTLM class - TOPS in the morning practice was Bruno Spengler in the # 25 BMW M8 GTE for BMW Team RLL but when it came to qualifying Antonio Garcia took the pole for Corvette Racing in the # 3 Corvette C8.R with a time of 1:40.944s for a speed of 121.255mph. Antonio beat out teammate Tommy Milner in the # 4 Corvette by 0.374 seconds. Starting P3 on the grid will be IndyCar driver Connor De Phillippi in the # 25 Bimmer.

Antonio shares the # 3 Corvette with Jordan Taylor while Tommy shares the # 4 Corvette with Nick Tandy. Bruno and Connor share the # 25 Bimmer with Philipp Eng.

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The # 3 Corvette C8.R for Corvette Racing - on the pole
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Antonio Garcia
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GTD class, position - TOPS in practice this morning was IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood in the # 14 Lexus RCF GT3 for Vasser Sullivan and that speed translated into pole position for Kyle this afternoon, with a time of 1:45.539s for a speed of 115.976mph. Kyle was able to beat Trent Hindman in the # 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Wright Motorsports by 0.310 seconds. Starting 3rd will be the # 42 Audi R8 LMS GT3 for NTE Sport thanks to Jaden Conwright.

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GTD class, points - Taking the points in qualifying for the class was IndyCar driver Jack Hawksworth in the pole-sitting # 14 Lexus RCF GT3 for Vasser Sullivan with a time of 1:45.081s for a speed of 116.481mph. Jack bested teammate and fellow IndyCar driver Zach Veach in the # 12 Lexus by 0.282 seconds. Third in points was Patrick Long in the # 16 Porsche GT3 R for Wright Motorsports.

Kyle and Jack share the # 14 Lexus with fellow IndyCar driver Aaron Telitz, while Zach Veach shares the # 12 Lexus With Frankie Montecalvo and IndyCar driver Rob Megennis. Jaden shares the Audi with Markus Palttala and Don Yount. It’s IndyCar driver Jan Heylen who is co-driver with Trent Hindman and Patrick Long in the Porsche.

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The # 14 Lexus RCF GT3 for Vasser Sullivan - On the pole and TOPS in points
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Kyle Kirkwood (left) and Jack Hawksworth
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The race is scheduled for broadcast LIVE on NBC Sports Gold on Sunday from 10:40am to 4:40pm EASTERN time. A 3-hour recap will air on NBC-SN on Sunday evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm EASTERN time.

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Saturday at Watkins Glen - the Michelin Pilot Challenge race…

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The Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 was another great show of multi-class racing that had all sorts of drama throughout the four-hour running time, including multiple lead changes in both classes and a whiz-bang finish. At the end the overall WINNER and in GS class was the # 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for Notlad Racing by RS1, driven by Patrick Gallagher and Steven McAleer, who WON the race in a great pass with just 3 minutes to go. P2 was the # 95 BMW M4 GT4 for Turner Motorsport driven by Dillon Machavern and Bill Auberlen, while P3 went to the # 3 McLaren 570S GT4 for Motorsports In Action driven by Sheena Monk and IndyCar driver Spencer Pigot.

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The race included 4 full-course cautions that upset the rhythm early on and caused much position shuffling and several different strategy calls throughout the field. It settled down for the 2nd half but a 5th caution late in the race set Bill Auberlen in the cat-bird seat for the final laps until McAleer turned it on and caught Auberlen right after a trip through the inner loop for a perfect squeeze to the inside for the lead.

Ryan Eversley and Todd Lamb claimed TCR class honors in their Atlanta Speedwerks # 94 Honda Civic FK7 TCR, 6 seconds in front of IndyCar driver Ryan Norman and Parker Chase in the # 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport. P3 went to Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler in the # 77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR for Bryan Herta. The WIN was the first for Atlanta Speedwerks in the TCR class and Ryan Eversely’s first WIN in five years.

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Ryan Eversely (left) and Todd Lamb for Honda in TCR
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With these results, here are the TOP THREE in points in each class, after this event:

GS class

1 - Kuno Wittmer, 1090
2 - Bill Auberlen, Dillon Machavern, 1040
3 - Sheena Monk, Spencer Pigot, 1030

TCR class

1 - Ryan Eversely, 1210
2 - Michael Lewis, Taylor Hagler, 1200
3 - Ryan norman, Parker Chase, 1100

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This was the final endurance race for Michelin Pilot Challenge for the season, the remaining races all being sprints, including the next outing for the series, right back here at Watkins Glen next weekend, in support of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship sprint race.

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Sunday at Watkins Glen - Expect the unexpected in WeatherTech racing…

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The improbable WINNERS of the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen - Both overall and in DPi class - were Oliver Jarvis, Jonathan Bomarito and closer Harry Tincknell in the # 55 Mazda RT24-P for Mazda Motorsports. P2 went to Olivier Pla and Dane Cameron in the # 60 Acura ARX-05 for Meyer Shank Racing while P3 went to Filipe Albuquerque, Ricky Taylor and IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi in the # 10 Acura for Wayne Taylor Racing.

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Improbable, because all day long, prior to the last stint, the Mazda was nowhere to be seen, while the two Acuras dominated the class and the race. But an ill-timed full-course caution put the Mazda in the lead and Tincknell was able to eke out enough fuel to cross the finish line in P1, running out of gas on the cool-down lap.

The same yellow also bit the leaders of the GTD class - the # 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R of Patrick Long, Trent Hindman and IndyCar driver Jan Heylen and the # 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus of IndyCar drivers Aaron Telitz, Kyle Kirkwood and Jack Hawksworth. Both cars led most of the race, between them, but ended up in P8 and P6 respectively, when they too were caught on the wrong side of the final stint when the caution flew.

The WINNERS of the class were Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley and Aiden Read in the # 96 BMW M6 GT3 for Turner Motorsports. P2 went to the # 1 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 of Bryan Sellers, Madison Snow and Corey Lewis while P3 went to Ross Gunn, Roman De Angelis and Ian James in the Heart of Racing # 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT3. All three cars had just pitted when the final caution flew and they were there to collect the spoils.

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Auberlen, Read and Foley - GTD class
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LMP2 class went to Tristan Nunez, Thomas Merrill and Steve Thomas in the # 11 ORECA 07 Gibson for WIN Autosport, leading much of the day. P2 went to the # 52 ORECA for PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports with Scott Huffaker, Ben Keating and Mikkel Jensen while P3 went to Guy Smith, Wayne Boyd and James McGuire in the # 22 United Autosports ORECA.

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Tristan Nunez celebrates the WIN from pole.
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In LMP3 class the WINNERS were Felipe Fraga, Gar Robinson and Scott Andrews in a class-leading Ligier JS P320 for Riley Motorsports that executed well the whole race. P2 went to the # 54 CORE Autosport Ligier of Colin Braun, Jonathan Bennett and George Kurtz while P3 went to the other Riley Motorsports car, the # 91 of Jeroen Bleekemolen, Jim Cox and Dylan Murry.

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Robinson, Andrews and Fraga - class act in LMP3 class
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The two Corvette C8.Rs for Corvette Racing led the race most of the day in the GTLM class but the two BMW M8 GTEs for BMW Team RLL were lurking very close all day long and they finally let it all out in the final stint, passing the # 4 Corvette, but the # 3 Corvette of Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor kept the lead and took the WIN, with the # 24 Bimmer of John Edwards, Augusto Farfus and Jesse Krohn in P2 while Philipp Eng, Bruno Spengler and IndyCar guy Connor De Phillippi came in P3 in the # 25.

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Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia - well-earned WIN
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Another great multi-class endurance race from the WeatherTech gang, this one had all the drama and all the action we’ve come to expect from IMSA. At 6 hours, this is the shortest duration race of the four Michelin Endurance Cup races on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule, and as such it was raced much more like a sprint race than a long enduro, and that was fun to watch.

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With these results here are the TOP THREE in points in each of the five classes, leaving this event:

DPi class -

1 - Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, 1733
2 - Oliver Jarvis, Harry Tincknell, 1701
3 - Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, 1576

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LMP2 class -

1 - Mikkell Jensen, Scott Huffaker, Ben Keating, 702
2 - Tristan Nunez, Thomas Merrill, Steve Thomas, 700
3 - Dwight Merriman, Kyle Tilley, Ryan Dalziel, 640

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LMP3 class -

1 - Gar Robinson, 1090
2 - Colin Braun, Jonathan Bennett, 1040
3 - Dylan Murry, Jim Cox, 970

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GTLM class -

1 - Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor, 1082
2 - Jesse Krohn, John Edwards, Augusto Farfus, 1001
3 - Connor De Phillippi, Bruno Spengler, Philipp Eng, 966

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GTD class -

1 - Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley, 1296
2 - Roman De Angelis, Ross Gunn, 1235
3 - Bryan Sellers, Madison Snow, 1192

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Next up for the WeatherTech gang is right here at Watkins Glen! The race at Canadian Tire and Motorsport Park has been cancelled, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and it was decided a sprint race at Watkins Glen was just the thing for a close replacement, so, the teams are all staying in the area and will race on this track, next Friday.

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Santino Ferrucci heads for Mid-Ohio this weekend…

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The Connecticut native will be driving at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend, making his 4th start this season for Rahal Letterman Lanigan and for Hy-Vee Groceries in the # 45 Honda.

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Santino Ferrucci
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Said Santino of the news, “I’m super excited to return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to race the Hy-Vee entry at Mid-Ohio. It’s been a great track for me in the past and last year I started on the front row. I’ve always enjoyed the track and its fans. I cannot wait to be working with the team again and continuing our relationship and our growth as the season moves forward. Hopefully we can get the Hy-Vee car into the top five and on the podium!”

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Santino’s best IndyCar start was a P2 at Mid-Ohio in 2020 and best finish has been 4th place, four times. This year to date he has given Hy-Vee a P6 at the Indy 500 and a P6 and P10 at the Detroit double.

Randy Edeker, Chairman, CEO and President of Hy-Vee said it best when he said that "…the excitement Santino brings to the course keeps us on the edge of our seats and we can’t wait to see how he performs at the Honda Indy 200.”

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Santino’s # 45 for Mid-Ohio
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It’s clear that Rahal Letterman Lanigan is thinking of expanding to a three-car team in 2022 and they are looking at a number of young guns to fill that 3rd slot. If Ferrucci continues to perform at a high level, he will be doing the best thing possible to make himself the guy.

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Great news!..Felix Rosenqvist is cleared to drive at Mid-Ohio this weekend….

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Following his scary-loooking crash at Detroit in the first race of the recent double-header weekend, Rosenqvist was sore as hell but up and around fairly quickly. Nevertheless, In an abundance of caution, IndyCar Medical had him sit out the next two races as Arrow McLaren SP put Oliver Askew in the # 7 Chevrolet for Race 2 of the Detroit weekend, and IMSA driver and former Formula One pilot Kevin Magnussen in the car the following week for Road America, but now the young Swede is cleared to drive, again.

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Felix Rosenqvist
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See you at Mid-Ohio this weekend, and good luck, Felix!

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Terrific piece on an IndyCar pit crew…

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Andretti Autosport goes into great detail on what it takes to make a successful IndyCar pit stop.Take a look:

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Thank you, Business Insider, for the great piece.

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