Koch, Udell Recall “On the Limit” Fight for Road America GTD Win

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Kenton Koch and Alec Udell have both given their views on the late-race battle for GTD class honors in Sunday’s Motul SportsCar Grand Prix at Road America, with the DXDT Racing driver admitting that both drivers were “on the limit.”

Udell, in the No. 36 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, benefitted from the race’s final full-course caution after making his final pit stop under green flag conditions to take the class lead, although came under attack from the No. 021 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 of Kenton Koch in the closing moments of the race.

Koch made a daring inside move around Udell for the class lead through traffic entering Turn 6 with less than nine minutes to go, which saw the two cars make side-to-side contact and ultimately send Udell’s Corvette slightly off-course.

IMSA race control did not place the move under review nor call a penalty, which gave Koch clear sailing to take a dramatic maiden victory for Triarsi.

“IMSA racing, at the end of the race, is always hard racing,” said Koch. “You have to understand how the calls are made in race control and I’ve spent enough time with Beaux [Barfield, race director] to understand how he calls the races.

“I felt like move I did for the win there was fair based on how we’re calling the race.

“They make the race interesting and I hope that was interesting for everyone. I certainly had a blast.

“It was a fun pass. I’ve raced Alec for the win a few years ago in [Michelin Pilot Challenge] GS and we also had a good battle there.”

Udell, for his part, felt like he could have been aggressive on Koch in the eventual race-deciding battle for the class win.

The DXDT Corvette, which was started by Robert Wickens, ended up fading to an eighth place class finish by the checkered flag.

“I was giving a little more courtesy than I should have, and that’s on me,” said Udell. “I’m not going to point any fingers besides at myself and say that’s how it’s played here.

“It seems like it’s good on the race control side so there’s nothing else besides muscle up and do the same.

“I think everyone was just on the limit, which is why there were no calls. Ultimately that’s how it is.

“You just gotta put yourself in the right positions consistently, and that’s what we’ve been doing.

“I’m really proud of the strategy calls from the team. I think it was perfect from that side. Everyone on the pit box did a fantastic job so I’m frustrated to not capitalize on that. We’ve been so hungry for that first win and podium. Frustrated that I let it slip away.”

Triarsi Squad “Over the Moon” With Maiden IMSA GTD Win

The class win came in only Koch’s second start with the Onofrio Triarsi-led squad, after making the switch to the Florida-based team mid-season following his multi-year stint with Korthoff Motorsports.

“It feels really good, especially with the up and down year that it’s been,” said Koch. “Triarsi has accepted me with open arms and into their family.

“The first race at Mosport was one of the most enjoyable experiences that I’ve had coming to a program for the first time.

“It’s awesome to see how hard these guys work and how they treat their crew and how Onofrio treats the crew as well.

“To be partnered with them is certainly a pleasure. To bring him a win is over the moon.”

It marked Triasri’s breakthrough first win in WeatherTech Championship competition in its first full season of competition after previous Michelin Endurance Cup-only campaigns.

“Honestly for us, we’ve put a lot of work to get here,” said Onofrio. “It’s an amazing feeling for everyone with the amount of late nights the team has put in through all the different troubles that we’ve experienced in past races.

“This definitely feels like a true victory for us.

“Kenton has done an amazing job, the second time in the car. We mesh really well. He’s an incredible driver and we’re excited to see what this brings us.

“But most importantly, the team deserved this one and everyone’s extremely happy.”

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