Robusto Wins Rain-Shortened GR Cup Race 2

Will Robusto took his first Toyota GR Cup North America victory of the season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in a contest cut short by rain.

From third on the grid, Robusto’s No. 2 RVA Graphics Motorsports by Speed Syndicate Toyota GR86 made it to the lead inside two laps with identical moves on Jeremy Fletcher (Copeland Motorsports) and polesitter Spike Kohlbecker (TechSport Racing) on the brakes into Turn 10.

He survived a restart that followed Ethan Goulart pulling off with mechanical trouble in his No. 72 BSI Racing entry, and was leading Parker DeLong’s TechSport machine when Kohlbecker and Malbec Ramos crashed in the Esses to bring out another caution.

It was during this second interruption amid efforts to repair the tire barriers that weather conditions deteriorated.

With the field still running slick Continental tires in heavy rain, race control elected to bring the race to an early conclusion, citing Article 43.1 of the sporting regulations.

DeLong entered contention for the podium places with a superb double pass on Fletcher and Goulart into Turn 1, then sprung on Kohlbecker into Turn 6.

Fletcher also capitalized on Kohlbecker’s momentary loss of momentum to take third place and reignite his championship chances in light of Kohlbecker’s non-finish.

Kohlbecker had been shuffled back to sixth after a robust move from Ethan Ayars (BSI Racing) into Turn 10 also allowed Max Schweid through.

He was looking to stem the tide when the contact with Ramos sent both into retirement, allowing Fletcher to trim his advantage to 45 points.

Niko Colby completed the top six for Copeland Motorsports.

RESULTS: Race 2