Cooper Wins Opening IMSA iRacing Challenge Round

Image: iRacing

Michael Cooper claimed victory in the opening round of the IMSA iRacing Challenge series at virtual Road America.

The Flying Lizard Motorsports driver overcame an incident with the No. 44 JDC Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport of Scott Andrews while battling for the lead to take a 13.132-second win over the No. 99 Forty7 Motorsports Porsche of Ben Waddell.

Andrews led from the opening lap after getting around the pole-sitter Tom O’Gorman, who suffered a first-lap accident.

While the Australian remained out front, Andrews had come under heavy pressure from Cooper until the two cars made contact exiting Turn 7 with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Andrews’ Porsche sustained heavy damage and dropped out of the race as a result.

Waddell inherited second after a final-lap pit stop for Dorian Mansilla, as well as the No. 88 Moorespeed Porsche of Jaden Conwright, also for fuel.

Max Root completed podium in his Wright Motorsports Porsche.

A late-race battle for between Dakota Dickerson and Tyler McQuarrie ended when the defending IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS class champion brushed the wall.

Further contact with Mansilla on the final lap saw McQuarrie finish 14th.

O’Gorman rebounded to finish sixth, behind Dickerson and Mansilla’s Porshces.

Fifteen of the 21 starters finished the race, which saw retirements from Joao Barbosa, Gabby Chaves and Jeroen Bleekemolen.

The 60-minute race, featuring all-Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport machinery, served as the precursor for tonight’s IMSA iRacing Pro Series Invitational, which gets underway at 6 p.m. ET.

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