Antinucci Claims Third Straight Win in Race 1 at The Glen

The 2015 Super Trofeo North America Pro Driver Champion maintained his perfect record this season, expanding his championship lead. Antinucci delayed his mandatory pit stop until the end of the pit window, setting fast laps and opening a comfortable lead that could not be challenged in the second half of the race.

The race winner was pleasantly surprised by his dominant performance at Watkins Glen as he encountered no problems on his way to the checkered flag.

“We didn’t come here last year and we didn’t do the test, so we didn’t know what to expect,” said Antinucci. “Still, we have high hopes for ourselves as people and on the racetrack, so we did a great job. I’m very thankful for the whole team.”

The second-place finishers overall were also the winners in the ProAm class. Edoardo Piscopo and Taylor Proto in the No. 50 US RaceTronics entry, representing Lamborghini Beverly Hills, drove a strong race, with Piscopo pushing Antinucci ahead of the race’s mandatory pit stop window.

Proto inherited his Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo in second place, and the rookie impressed during his stint, driving quick laps and holding off a charging Riccardo Agostini to hold the position.

Piscopo was impressed by his teammate’s performance, enabling the pair to take their second ProAm win and overall podium of the year.

“[Proto] drove in an incredible way-no mistakes, flawless-so I’m very happy,” said Piscopo.

The magnitude of the result was not lost on the 19-year-old Proto. Staying ahead of much more experienced drivers at such an historic venue filled the rookie driver with pride.

“I was sort of running for my life, to be honest,” said Proto. “I’ve got to admit-for a win like that, this is a good place to do it.”

Stevan McAleer benefitted from late-race problems for other competitors to finish third overall.

The 10th-place qualifier jumped up at the start to run seventh during the race’s opening stint. After the pit stops, McAleer began to rise up the order in his No. 11 Prestige Performance entry, representing Lamborghini Paramus before reaching third place overall on the final lap.

Patrice Brisebois and Emmanuel Anassis took another Amateur class win in the No. 18 DAC Motorsports entry, representing Lamborghini Palm Beach.

Brisebois was unhappy with his qualifying effort in the morning, but made up for it with a tremendous start that put the pair in good stead for the rest of the race. Anassis took over in the second stint and continued the team’s climb to the top of their podium, finishing sixth overall.

Ryan Hardwick was the victor in the LB Cup class, following up on a pole position qualifying effort in the morning.

His race in the No. 2 Dream Racing Motorsport entry, representing Lamborghini Atlanta, was far from easy, however. Hardwick was swamped at the start of the race and needed a great deal of patience to work his way back into the class lead.

The Dream team executed a perfect pit stop and got their driver out ahead of his competition. Still Hardwick had to run a smart race to hold of a charging J.C. Perez who closed the gap at the end of the race.

In tomorrow’s race, Antinucci will try to keep his perfect season alive with another win at Watkins Glen. His task will be more difficult from a second-place starting position on the grid, alongside Lamborghini Squadra Corse Young Driver Riccardo Agostini.

The second and final race of the weekend will start at 5:10 p.m. Saturday, July 1. The race will be live streamed at motortrendondemand.com and on squadracorse.lamborghini.com/live-streaming. Tape-delayed coverage of each event will air on CBS Sports Network in primetime. The coverage will feature live commentary on both the broadcast and live streams.