Justin Rothberg led the first GT America Powered by AWS race of the weekend on Friday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from the green flag to the checkered flag, crossing the finish line 3.358s ahead of Johnny O’Connell. The same held true in the GT4 class as Isaac Sherman built up a sizable gap over the rest of the field. However, all bets were off for the outcome of the race, and the final podium positions were not decided until the very end.
SRO3
It was a chaotic start for James Sofronas, who started alongside the No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 machine of Rothberg as the race got underway. However, after running too deep into the first corner, Sofronas’ No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 was relegated down to fifth place after he went off track on the opening lap.
This benefitted O’Connell in the No. 3 SKI Autosports Audi R8 LMS GT3, as well as Mirco Schultis in the No. 70 MISHUMOTORS Callaway Corvette Z06 GT3, and championship leader Jason Daskalos in the No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Sofronas was not going to let this mishap determine the outcome of his race, and he masterfully began to carve his way back through the field. He first set his sights on Daskalos, and the two drivers went side-by-side through Turn 1 and 2, with Sofronas eventually winning the battle.
The wheel-to-wheel action allowed the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 992 GT3 R of Kyle Washington to catch up and get into the mix, much to the dismay of Daskalos, who initially dropped behind. Nevertheless, Daskalos did not let Washington’s overtake phase him, and claimed the position back in the final ten minutes of the race. Ultimately, it was Daskaslo that won this sprint to the finish, and rounded off the top five behind Shultis.
Rothberg crossed the finish line unchallenged, scoring important points in the championship battle. O’Connell came in second place, with Sofronas on the third step of the podium.
There was further drama as Daskalos made contact with Shultis on the final lap of the race, which sent the latter for a spin, resulting in a post-race penalty for the championship leader.
“It was really helpful to get some midday laps in,” Rothberg said — pulling double duty and running in Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS as well. “We’re about to head into qualifying for the Indy 8 Hour, so it’s good to be prepared. It’s been a busy day, and this is my first time racing a GT3 on this track, so it’s been a great experience—definitely something I needed. We’ll see how that translates.”
Meanwhile, Dan Knox maintained his pace and consistency on board his Mercedes-AMG GT2. He started where he finished, in eighth position, after a very clean drive.
“It’s quite a machine,” Knox said about his No. 10 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. “It’s got lots of power and a little downforce, so you have to really drive it hard around this track.”
GT4
With an open road ahead of him, it was a clean getaway for Sherman in the No. 098 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport as he took the green flag from the front of the pack.
Gray Newell immediately went on the attack in his No. 25 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 as he attempted to hunt down the No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport of Curt Swearingin for second place.
Just as everything looked as though it was all said and done for the top three, a late-stage incident between Swearingin and Newell dropped the former down the running order, and he was later given a post-race penalty for incident responsibility.
As this argy-bargy unfolded, Damir Hot was able to make his way past and move himself up the ladder, crossing the finish line in second in the No. 5 Flying Lizard Motorsports Nissan Z NISMO GT4, with Swearingin clinging on to the final step of the podium.
“It was a great experience,” Sherman said. “I went out there, put my head down, and started doing laps, practicing for the GT4 race tomorrow. I figured some things out, and it worked out really well. I’m super happy.”
The GT America Powered by AWS field will return to the track for race two on Sunday, October 6th at 8:35 a.m. ET.
RESULTS
