Stiak Quickest in Ultra-Close Watkins Glen Thursday Practice

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

Janne Stiak narrowly edged out Jared Thomas to go quickest in the opening day of track action for Porsche Carrera Cup North America at Watkins Glen International.

The ACI Motorsports driver recorded a best lap of 1:48.038 in the opening 45-minute session edge out Thomas by a mere 0.001 seconds.

In fact, the top five runners in the session were separated by less than 0.050 seconds.

Points leader Tyler Maxson was third quickest in the No. 77 Topp Racing Porsche 911 Cup car, just 0.032 seconds slower, with Aaron Jeansonne fourth, 0.039 seconds behind, and Callum Hedge fifth in the No. 9 JDX Racing entry, 0.041 seconds behind than the young German driver.

Cole Kleck was sixth in his Topp Racing entry, ahead of Kellymoss’ Paul Bocuse in seventh.

Quickest in Masters was the No. 53 JTR Motorsports Engineering Porsche of Rob Walker, who ended up ahead of both Pro-Am class entries taking part this weekend.

The No. 54 ACI Porsche of Patrick Mulcahy was quickest in Pro-Am, meanwhile.

The afternoon session, which ran in damp conditions, was led by Maxson, who was able to get down to a 1:52.348 lap time after cars were initially some ten seconds slower than the best times from the morning.

The only notable incident to happen in either session was an off-course excursion for Chris Bellomo in the No. 68 Kellymoss Porsche in Turn 1 in the final ten minutes of the morning running.

Bellomo returned to action to set the fifth quickest time in Masters in the afternoon.

Qualifying is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. EST ahead of the first race of the weekend at 3 p.m. EST, which will be streamed live on Peacock, as well as both IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America’s YouTube channels.

RESULTS: Practice 1/Practice 2

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