Stunning Fuel Miscalculation Hands Woolridge Victory at COTA

In a dramatic and unexpected conclusion to Saturday morning’s IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge race at the Circuit of The Americas, Canadian Jonathan Woolridge snatched victory after the leading duo ran out of fuel on the final lap. Driving the No. 54 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS P320, Woolridge inherited the lead as the checkered flag loomed.

The race appeared to be a Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsports battle, with pole-sitter Oscar Tunjo in the No. 31 Duqueine D08 leading for the majority of the 45-minute contest. Teammate Valentino Catalano in the No. 30 Duqueine D08 eventually took over the top spot with just over six minutes remaining. The pair then traded the lead in the dying moments before disaster struck.

Coming onto the final lap, both Tunjo and Catalano, who had held a significant lead, suddenly ran out of fuel and dramatically slowed to a halt on the circuit. This unforeseen circumstance propelled Woolridge, who had been trailing by over a minute, into the lead as he approached the white flag.

“I was a little surprised coming around the carousel there and finding those two parked there,” Woolridge admitted. “But I feel like that’s racing. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t, and today we got lucky.”

While other competitors also experienced fuel issues on the final lap, Woolridge reported no such concerns with his Ligier. Brian Thienes finished second in the P3 class and claimed the Bronze Cup victory in his No. 77 Forte Racing Ligier JS P320. Mirco Schultis completed the P3 podium in third place.

Despite dominating nearly the entire race, Catalano and Tunjo were relegated to fifth and sixth place respectively in the final standings, a shocking end to what looked like a guaranteed victory for one of the Gebhardt teammates.

Walker Capitalizes on Adelson Spin for GTDX Victory

Jake Walker in the No. 6 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 secured his first career VP Racing SportsCar Challenge victory on Saturday at COTA, capitalizing on a spin by polesitter and points leader Adam Adelson. Adelson, driving the No. 24 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, initially grabbed the lead at the start, engaging in a fierce battle with Walker for the opening laps.

The decisive moment occurred approximately 12 minutes into the race when Adelson spun entering the esses. Walker, closely following, skillfully avoided contact and inherited the GTDX lead. “I saw him get a little loose… He started to spin, and I just kind of backed out and took a little bit of a shortcut,” Walker explained.

Unchallenged for the remainder of the race, Walker pulled away to a commanding 15.407-second victory over AJ Muss in the No. 66 Af Corse Ferrari 296 GT3. Remarkably, Walker nearly claimed the overall race win, finishing just 0.429 seconds behind the LMP winner.

Despite his spin, Adelson recovered to finish third, maintaining his GTDX points lead. Samantha Tan finished fifth in GTDX and secured the Bronze Cup in her No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3. 

Porto Continues Dominant GSX Run at COTA

Kiko Porto extended his flawless start to the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge GSX season with another commanding victory at the Circuit of the Americas. The Brazilian driver started on pole position and led from start to finish in his No. 8 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, marking his third consecutive win.

Porto strategically navigated the start, even passing several faster GTDX class cars to secure his lead within the GSX field. Despite the GTDX cars eventually overtaking him, Porto maintained a comfortable gap to his GSX competitors.

Ultimately, Porto crossed the finish line a full lap ahead of second-place finisher Steven Clemons in the No. 76 BSI Racing Toyota. Ian Porter, also driving a RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra, completed the GSX podium in third and secured the Bronze Cup in the process.

This victory further solidified Porto’s lead in the GSX point standings. He now holds a significant 230-point advantage over his closest rivals, Patrick Wilmot and Justin Di Benedetto, who finished fourth and fifth respectively. Porto’s dominant performance in the early stages of the season has established him as the clear driver to beat in the GSX class.