Maxson Takes Race 1 Win at Road Atlanta

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

Tyler Maxson claimed victory in the first Porsche Carrera Cup North America race of the weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, while a gutsy late-race pass from fourth to second kept Aaron Jeansonne in the Pro class championship conversation.

The Topp Racing driver claimed his seventh win of the season, finishing 8.166 seconds ahead of the No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche 911 Cup car of Jeansonne, who ran fourth for the majority of the 40-minute race.

While Maxson blasted away from pole, Janne Stiak moved into second at the start but came under heavy pressure from the No. 9 JDX Racing Porsche of Callum Hedge.

As two cars battled, Jeansonne passed both with six minutes to go, resulting in a notable points gain to the Kellymoss driver.

However, Jeansonne provisionally sits 19 points behind Maxson with three races to go.

Hedge completed the Pro class podium in third, with Stiak crossing the line in fourth but dropping to seventh after being assessed a ten-second post-race penalty for blocking.

It promoted Jared Thomas to fourth, with Cole Kleck completing the top-five.

While Patrick Mulcahy cruised to another Pro-Am class win unopposed, Marco Cirone edged out Richard Edge for Masters class honors.

Cirone inched closer to clinching the class title if he wins Friday’s race.

The No. 45 Ruckus Racing entry of Scott Blind completed the class podium in Race 1.

The second and final Carrera Cup race of the weekend is set for Friday at 3:55 p.m. EST with live coverage on Peacock as well as Porsche Motorsport North America and IMSA’s YouTube channels.

RESULTS: Race 1

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