Sargent Tops Long Beach Practice in Carrera Cup Return

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

Porsche Carrera Cup North America returnee Tom Sargent topped the time charts in practice for this weekend’s pair of races on the streets of Long Beach.

Sargent, fresh off LMGT3 class victory in his European Le Mans Series debut last weekend, reeled off a chart-topping 1:19.827 in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup in the second of two practice sessions on Friday.

The 22-year-old U.S.-based Australian, who is subbing for Kyle Washington in the No. 32 car, was nearly two-tenths clear of fellow antipodean Callum Hedge, of JDX Racing.

Sargent last contested the single-make series in 2023, the most recent year the series visited Long Beach until this weekend.

Points leader Tyler Maxson, who paced the 30-minute opening practice this morning, ended up third quickest on the combined time sheets, looking to build on his sweep of the weekend in last month’s season opener at Sebring International Raceway.

Janne Stiak was fourth quickest for ACI Motorsports, with Connor Blum completing the top-five his JDX Porsche.

JDX’s Patrick Mulcahy topped the Pro-Am ranks while Ruckus Racing owner/driver Scott Blind was quickest in Masters.

All but one car improved on their times from the morning session, which was the first on-track action at the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Both sessions ran without any red flags, although there were several minor incidents.

Qualifying is set to get underway at 4:40 p.m. PST (7:40 p.m. EST).

RESLTS: Practice (Combined)

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