Proto, Piscopo Win Race 1 After Violent Accident for Monk

Photo: Jamey Price/Lamborghini

Taylor Proto and Edoardo Piscopo extended their points lead in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship with victory in Saturday’s opening round of the weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The race was marred by a violent accident from Sheena Monk in the No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO at the Corkscrew, which resulted in a lengthy red flag period.

Monk, who was awake and alert, was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The 32-minute red flag period resulted in a delayed pit stop window once racing resumed with 12 minutes to go, with the No. 50 US Racetronics Lamborghini of Piscopo taking over the lead by staying out until the second-to-final lap.

A spin by Cameron Cassels in the No. 33 WTR entry brought out a race-ending full-course caution with two minutes to go, literally as Piscopo had pitted from the lead for the driver change to Proto.

It marked the duo’s third Pro class win in the last four races.

“Coming out of pit out was fun and then I drove around at 60 km/h was nice as I was able to take in the sights of Laguna Seca,” Proto said.

“Edoardo capitalized on the free laps we had when the other cars were pitting, and it worked out for us at the end of the race. We got really lucky with that yellow.”

Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi finished second overall and in class on Saturday in their No. 46 PPM Lamborghini, with Change Racing’s Corey Lewis and Madison Snow completing the podium in third.

Pole-sitter Loris Spinelli and JC Perez, meanwhile, wrapped up the Pro-Am championship with another class win, coming home fourth overall.

It came after their nearest championship contender, the No. 10 WTR Lamborghini of Stevan McAleer and Randy Sellari, retired following teammate Monk’s accident.

Monk lost control of her car as it went straight off at the top the Corkscrew, with the heavy frontal impact sending the car flipping into the air before coming to rest on its wheels.

Brian Thienes picked up his second class win in the last three races in Am, while Mark Proto and Parris Mullins claimed victory in LB Cup, their fifth of the season.

The final U.S. round of the series takes place on Sunday at 2:25 p.m. EDT/ 11:25 a.m. PDT with live coverage on IMSA.tv and and squadracorse.lamborghini.com/super-trofeo/north-america.

RESULTS: Race 1

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John