Wheelhouse’s Satullo Leads Practice at VIR

Photo: Bob Chapman/Ford

Wheelhouse Motorsports driver Sandy Satullo was quickest following a pair of practice sessions for this weekend’s Mustang Challenge North America races at Virginia International Raceway.

Satullo, in the No. 7 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R, reeled off a chart-topping 1:57.327 in Friday’s second session to outpace Dark Horse points leader Cole Loftsgard by 0.579 seconds.

The Round 3 Racing driver’s best time was set in the morning’s 30-minute session, which ran in full dry conditions before heavy rain and thunderstorms blanketed the 3.27-mile circuit in time for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge’s opening practice.

While the second Mustang Challenge practice was shortened by five minutes due to an adjusted schedule, Satullo went quicker in the afternoon running.

Will Lucas posted the third quickest time on the combined timesheets in his No. 34 Wheelhouse Mustang, followed by Devin Anderson and Ethan Low, who completed the top-five for TechSport Racing and Flying Lion Motorsports, respectively.

Tom Tait was quickest in the Dark Horse Legends class across both sessions.

While there were no red flags in the second session, opening practice came to a slightly early end with six minutes to go when the No. 63 Wheelhouse Mustang of Joseph Dederichs pitted with flames coming from the car’s exhaust.

Dederichs’ entry did not return to action for Practice 2.

Qualifying is on tap for 6:45 p.m. EST.

RESULTS: Practice 1/Practice 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