Workman’s Mindset “Definitely Changed” After Win Streak

Toyota GR Cup North America points leader Westin Workman said his mindset has “definitely changed” regarding the drivers’ championship following a recent breakthrough win streak in his sophomore season in the single-make series.

The Toyota development driver made the switch from Copeland Motorsports to BSI Racing over the winter after a debut GR Cup season that yielded 11 podiums, including eight second-place finishes en route to a third-place finish in the standings.

After podium finishes in the first three of four rounds this season in his No. 13 Toyota GR86 Cup car, the BSI driver took his maiden series win in a weekend he would go on to sweep at Sebring International Raceway, before winning again in a hard-fought Race 2 at Virginia International Raceway.

Workman’s recent trio of wins has proven to be a revelation in his current title fight and sees him head into this weekend’s rounds at Road America atop the drivers’ standings, 39 points clear of Lucas Weisenberg.

Copeland’s Jaxon Bell remains in the title fight as well, a further seven points behind the Lucas Racing driver, with Ethan Goulart also in the mix, though 52 points back on Workman’s lead.

“The mindset has definitely changed from a must-win situation to a championship situation,” Workman told Sportscar365.

“Trying to get consistent podium finishes or even top-fives. I’m not in a must-win situation.

“A lot of other guys are, to be able to catch me in the points. So, I think they’re definitely going to drive me like that. I’m aware of that, and I’m trying not to put myself in any bad situations.”

He added: “With a [near] 40-point lead, I’m not in a must-win situation.

“There’s a lot of stress lifted off my shoulders coming into these last few rounds. I could have someone in second-place [in the standings] win a race and me not even finish, and still have a points lead. So that’s nice to know.

“Obviously, I want to win, but with the championship in mind, I don’t have to win moving forward.”

Repeat victories have come at a premium this year, however, with no fewer than five drivers having won races this season, with Workman and Weisenberg the only drivers to have driven to victory lane multiple times.

Workman said that finally winning his first GR Cup race had a snowball effect with his recent successes and took some of the pressure off of getting to victory lane.

“It took me a while to realize that once I got one [win], it was kind of easy to get the rest of them,” he said. “After getting a lot of second-place finishes last year, I thought I was cursed and I would never be able to get a win in this series.

“But once it came at Sebring, then I won the second day, and then we got lucky at VIR with another win, it’s kind of just been all coming together for me, so I’m super lucky for that and fortunate.

“Now, having wins and a few poles, you have to prove that you’re the car to beat. We’re a force to be reckoned with. It’s not only confidence for me, but being a rabbit out there for other teams to chase has helped me a lot this season.

“BSI is a great group that is giving me a great car every time, and I’m able to work on the setup and things like that. Not only them having the knowledge of knowing what to do to the car, but they’re also teaching me a lot.”

Workman also noted that while his on his own goal of chasing the drivers’ title and advancing his own career in the paddock, he also wants to see the team and fellow BSI drivers succeed on track and help contribute to their growth.

“Overall, winning the championship is the biggest goal of mine, but also helping my teammates,” he said. “I want to see Massimo get a couple more top-15 finishes. I want to push him a little bit past that.

“Outside of my own personal accolades and goals for this season, seeing the people around me do well will also give me a sense of accomplishment.”

“Personally, I’m hoping to move up to GT4 next year in the Toyota Supra [GT4 EVO2]. I’m just trying to get wins and win the championship this year, and I think I’ll be in a good position to do that for next year.”