Noaker Fastest in First Mustang Challenge Practice Sessions

Robert Noaker led the first-ever day of Mustang Challenge practice at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course as the field of 26 drivers got up to speed in their new Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rs at the inaugural race weekend for Ford Performance’s single-make series.

Noaker topped the time sheets in both practice sessions abroad his Dark Horse class No. 13 Robert Noaker Racing Mustang with his 1:30.810 lap time in Practice 2 improving on his pace-setting time from the morning’s running.

RNR stablemate Tyler Maxson was second fastest in his No. 74 entry, a mere 0.130 seconds off Noaker’s pace, with the pair being the only competitors in the field to dip below the one-minute, thirty-one second mark.

McCumbee McAleer Racing’s Nate Cicero ended the day third quickest after shaving seven-tenths off of his best time from morning practice.

Reid Sweeny recorded the fourth fastest time overall for RNR with Southern Paley Motorsports LLC’s Sam Paley completing the top-five in the No. 26 machine.

Consistent with he majority of the field, all five drivers set their quickest lap times in Friday’s second 30-minute practice session.

Noaker’s eponymous  racing squad proved formidable on Friday, with three of the team’s four entries landing in the overall top-five in both both sessions.

A 1:31.941 lap from Alex Bachoura gave him a commanding lead over the rest of the Dark Horse Legends class in the afternoon session, with the Spark Performance driver finishing sixth fastest overall.

Zachary Lee was second fastest in class after topping the DHL time sheets in Practice 1.

Both sessions were impacted by red flags. In Practice 1, Chloe Chambers went off course at the exit of Turn 1 in her No. 1 Amerasian Fragrance Competition Motorsports entry about halfway through the session.

Jack Lewis’s Dark Horse Legends entry brought out the red in second practice after going off track at Turn 7 before coming to a stop at Turn 9.

In both cases, running resumed with fewer than five minutes remaining, allowing drivers to record a few final flying laps in their new Dark Horse R machinery.

Qualifying is slated for 10:05 am. EDT on Saturday, followed by Race 1 at 1:40 p.m. EDT. Both Mustang Challenge races will have live coverage available on Peacock and IMSA.tv.

RESULTS: Practice (Combined)