
Photo: Jamey Price/Lamborghini
Kyle Marcelli believes he and co-driver Danny Formal have “unfinished business” at Watkins Glen, after missing out on victory last year in their Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing entry.
The duo enter this weekend’s fifth and sixth rounds of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America leading the Pro class championship standings after claiming overall honors in Race 2 at NOLA Motorsports Park last month.
Marcelli and Formal hold a narrow two-point margin over O’Gara Motorsport/Change Racing/USRT’s Patrick Kujala and Edoardo Piscopo in the competitive single-make series, which is set to feature a record-breaking 38-car entry this weekend.
“We’re excited and optimistic,” said Marcelli. “It’s been a strong season so far in the No. 1 Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini.
“We’ve had wins and pole positions, but each weekend has not been perfect — it’s not been easy.
“There was adversity in Race 2 at Laguna Seca after getting turned around in the first corner. We finished second, but felt we left a win on the table there.
“In New Orleans we got caught out a bit with the weather and our tire choice and had a fifth place in Race 1. Again, we felt we left something on the table, but the wins and the pole positions at both races give us great confidence heading into Watkins Glen.
“We have unfinished business there, as a problem resulted in a DNF. It was no one’s fault — a tire issue that ended our weekend. We’re looking to rebound and the goals are simple.”
Marcelli said he’s been particularly impressed with the speed of his co-driver, who has impressed in his second season with the team.
“We want to qualify up front, stay out of trouble, and put that No. 1 Prestige Performance with WTR car in victory lane,” said Marcelli.
“Danny’s been checking all the boxes this year and so have our team and mechanics. The car has been reliable and flawless and from an engineering standpoint, the car has been rolling off the trailer in a good spot.
“We have to keep that momentum going and stay focused on the championship.”
Formal, meanwhile, has characterized Watkins Glen as a “redemption track” for the duo.
“I’m super excited to get back to Watkins Glen,” he said. “It’s my favorite track in the country and it’s extremely quick.
“The new Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2 is amazing, a great upgrade.
“Our baseline setup from Wayne Taylor Racing has been incredible. I can’t wait to arrive and start working through the practices and into qualifying.”
A total of eight cars are entered in both the Pro and Pro-Am categories this weekend, although the Am ranks has swelled to a 16-car class with several key additions.
LB Cup, meanwhile, will see a six-car class for the pair of 50-minute races.
Track action gets underway on Thursday with two practice sessions ahead of qualifying Friday morning and the first race of the weekend at 2:25 p.m. ET. Race 2 is slated to get underway Saturday at 12:10 p.m. ET with live coverage available on Peacock and IMSA.tv.
