Loftsgard, Round 3 Sweep Watkins Glen Weekend

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Cole Loftsgard claimed a weekend sweep in Mustang Challenge North America at Watkins Glen International, with the Round 3 Racing driver extending his points lead with another win.

Loftsgard drove his No. 42 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R to a 2.930-second victory over TechSport Racing’s Devin Anderson in Saturday’s 45-minute contest, which ran caution-free.

While having started on pole courtesy of setting the fastest lap in Race 1, Anderson lost the position to Loftsgard in the Bus Stop on the opening lap, although kept pressure on him.

Anderson, however, appeared to fade in the second half of the race, which ensured the win for the Round 3 driver.

Ethan Low claimed his first career series podium, driving his No. 25 Flying Lion Motorsports entry to a third place result.

It came after Sandy Satullo, who finished on the final step on Friday, was forced into the pits on Lap 5 for a left-front tire change, which dropped the Wheelhouse Motorsports driver out of contention.

Tate Pritt made a last-lap pass on Ryan Persing to take fourth, in a hard-fought battle between the Automatic Racing and Paley Motorsport with AAG Racing drivers.

Colin Harrison came home in sixth, with Will Lucas finishing an uncharacteristic eighth place result in his Wheelhouse entry.

Oleg Gorshkov doubled up in his Mustang Challenge debut weekend, claiming Dark Horse Legends honors again on Saturday.

The No. 70 Round 3 Mustang finished 2.523 seconds ahead of the No. 8 Wheelhouse Mustang of Tom Tait, who got around the No. 9 Paley with AAG entry of class points leader Chris Clarke for second with 18 minutes to go.

The two cars fought for the runner-up position until the final lap.

Nick Smither finished fourth in class.

Paolo Salvatore was the race’s only retirement after the Torre Racing team owner/driver pitted on Lap 10.

RESULTS: Race 2

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