JDX’s Vanier Triumphs in Chaotic Race 2 at The Glen

Zachary Vanier emerged victorious in the second race of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America weekend at Watkins Glen International after avoiding a significant accident on the opening lap and fending off pressure in the closing stages.

The JDX Racing driver took his No. 9 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car to the checkered flag just 0.437 seconds ahead of the Topp Racing duo of Tyler Maxson and Ryan Yardley, respectively, to claim his first series win of the season.

Vanier found his way to the head of the field after pole-sitter Riley Dickinson fell by the wayside after an opening lap incident with Jimmy Llibre, which was followed by a significant multi-car accident, triggering a safety car.

The race went green just before the halfway mark in the 40-minute sprint contest, with Vanier at the head of the field in his No. 9 JDX Porsche, with fellow Porsche EBOOST Junior Driver Maxson close behind and Race 1 winner Ryan Yardley running third. The top three broke away, running nose-to-tail until the checkered flag.

Despite the opening melee, Llibre recovered to finish fourth overall for ACI Motorsports, with stablemate Yves Baltas behind in fifth aboard his Pro-class No. 15 Porsche.

Pro-Am class leader Alan Metni was forced to take to pit lane and hand over his position to JP Martinez behind after a puncture sustained during the opening safety car period. Metni’s Keyllmoss crew serviced the puncture quickly, allowing him to rejoin the rear of the field before racing resumed.

Martniez held his advantage with most of his fellow class competitors buried further back in the field to take the class win in Race 2, with Metni fighting his way up to second in class in the No. 99 Kellymoss Porsche.

Kellymoss’ Todd Parriott won out in the Masters class after finding his way by JTR Motorsports Engineering’s Jake Walker in the second half of the race.

A massive accident on Lap 1 immediately put the field under full-course caution, with as many as eight cars sustaining damage, including six who required recovery from the race track.

As Llibre was challenging Pro class points-leader Dickinson for the overall lead into Turn 1, the Kellymoss driver was pushed wide onto the grass, making contact with the inside barrier.

Just behind, GMG Racing’s Patrick Mulcahy spun on the slightly damp curbing outside of Turn 1, triggering a multi-car collision that collected Peter Atwater, Richard Edge, James Sofronas, Jody Miller, Ashley Freiberg, and Masters class pole-sitter and points-leader Scott Blind. The multi-car collisions will be fully investigated by race control after the race.

Dickinson and Atwater were able to continue on, rejoining the rear of the field after taking to pit lane to assess the damage to their Porsche cup cars. Atwater impressively recovered to a second-place finish in Masters, with Dickinson climbing from the rear of the field up to 13th by the checkered flag.

RESULTS: Race 2