Ward Scores Shock First Pole in Winward Mercedes GT4

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Russell Ward has claimed his first career IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge pole position in qualifying for this afternoon’s Virginia is for Lovers Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway.

The Winward Racing team co-team principal/driver reeled off a best lap of 1:53.369 in his No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT4 he will share with Indy Dontje in today’s two-hour race.

Ward ended up just 0.016 seconds ahead of the No. 60 KohR Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Nate Stacy.

Robby Foley, who along with Bill Auberlen won Saturday’s Michelin GT Challenge in GT Daytona, qualified third in his No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4.

Defending GS champion Tyler McQuarrie was fourth in the No. 39 CarBahn Motorsports Audi R8 LMS GT4 while Scott Maxwell made it five different GT4 manufacturers in the top-five in his No. 22 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4.

Faulkner Pips Johnson for TCR Pole Honors

Max Faulkner led an Audi 1-2 in TCR, pipping Michael Johnson for top class qualifying honors.

Faulkner in the No. 23 FASTMD Racing with Speed Syndicate Audi RS 3 LMS TCR set a 1:57.260 lap time late in the 15-minute session to end up 0.153 seconds faster than the No. 54 JDC-Miller Motorsports Audi TCR of Johnson.

Michael Lewis qualified third in the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster N TCR, followed by teammate Gabby Chaves in fourth.

Harry Gottsacker made it three Hyundais in the top-five in his No. 21 BHA entry.

The Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix gets underway at 2:55 p.m. ET with live coverage on Trackpass on NBC Sports Gold and IMSA Radio.

RESULTS: Qualifying

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