Noaker Sweeps Sebring Weekend With Race 2 Win

Robert Noaker dominated the Mustang Challenge weekend at Sebring International Raceway, winning both races and leading every on-track session in his No. 18 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R.

The reigning series champion led the 21-car field from flag-to-flag after earning pole position through his fastest racing lap in yesterday’s contest to take the checkered flag with a 4.540-second gap to Devin Anaderson behind.

Alex Bachoura earned back-to-back overall podiums while sweeping the Dark Horse Legends class this weekend, after making up three positions in the opening laps and fending off strong late pressure from class pole-sitter Alfonso Diaz.

The Spark Performance driver inherited third position after Dark Horse class competitor Marcos Vento dropped out of contention with an eventually race-ending front-left puncture, despite an early battle for second with Anderson.

After losing ground early on, Diaz charged back up the order to hang onto the back of Bachoura’s No. 33 entry and claim fourth position overall and the runner-up spot in DHL.

Fifth overall and third in the top DH class was McCumbee McAleer Racing’s Corbin Collins in his No. 20 Mustang.

Early in the race, Chip Van Vurst made hard contact with the Turn 7 tire barriers after going side-by-side with Tate Pritt, but pulled his No. 68 Creative Autosport car behind the wall under his own power, avoiding the need for a full-course caution, despite heavy damage to the rear of his Mustang.

Creative AS’ Chelsea Denofa also failed to make it to the finish following a spin at Turn 13 in the closing stages of the race.

Notably, Competition Motors’ Tom Tait did not take the green flag and was subsequently issued a drive-through penalty for not being able to participate in the formation lap. After getting back on track, Tait eventually retired the car.

Cristian Perocarpi and Stephen Vajda also retired with unknown issues, pulling their Mustangs behind the wall throughout the 45-minute sprint race.

RESULTS: Race 2