Noaker Triumphs in Rainy Finale, Clinches Dark Horse Championship

In a rain-soaked thriller at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Robert Noaker (#13 Robert Noaker Racing) cemented his dominance in the Mustang Challenge, securing his second victory of the weekend and, with it, the 2025 Dark Horse championship. The win capped a perfect season for Noaker in all points-paying races, a testament to his exceptional skill and consistency.

The final race of the weekend began under a safety car as heavy rain fell across the 3.4-mile circuit, creating treacherous conditions for the drivers. The challenging weather led to a strategic gamble by several teams, including those of Alfonso Diaz, Colin Harrison, and Devin Anderson. All three opted for a last-minute tire change to wet compounds and began the race from the pit lane—a decision that paid off handsomely for Anderson.

The race saw two full-course cautions due to accidents, but the true challenge was the ever-changing track conditions. The dense spray kicked up by the fast-moving Mustang Dark Horse R cars created a near-whiteout for anyone not leading the pack. The previous day’s grippy racing line was rendered slick and unpredictable by the rain, forcing drivers to constantly adapt their braking points and cornering speeds, even on the specialized Michelin wet-weather tires.

Noaker, however, seemed unfazed by the chaos. He expertly navigated the tricky conditions, building a commanding lead that he would not relinquish. He crossed the finish line a significant 9.765 seconds ahead of Sam Paley (#26 Paley Motorsport), who finished a strong second. The final podium spot in the Dark Horse category went to Devin Anderson(#22 TechSport), whose strategic decision to start from the pit lane proved to be a masterstroke. His late-race charge allowed him to make up significant ground and secure a well-earned third place.

Lee Takes Home Win, Bachoura and Lee in a Tie for Legends Title

The excitement wasn’t limited to the main class. In the Dark Horse Legends category, the battle was equally intense. Zachry Lee (#48 McCumbee McAleer Racing) delivered a standout performance to secure a victory at his home track, much to the delight of the local fans. He was followed by Alex Bachoura (#33 Spark Performance) in second and Mike Stillwagon (#19 Skip Barber Racing) in third.

While Noaker’s championship is now settled, the title fight in the Legends class is far from over. With his second-place finish, Bachoura pulled even with Lee in the points standings. The two will now head into the final two races of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway tied on points, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Mustang Challenge.