Bell to Make Series Return in Virginia

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Jason Bell will make his return to GT America powered by AWS competition this weekend at Virginia International Raceway, in a field that’s expected to also feature a GT2 car.

Bell, a regular in GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, will shift his focus back to the single-driver sprint series in his No. 2 Racers Edge Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo.

It is part of a six-car SRO3 class field for GT3-spec machinery that is expected to again take center stage with a tight title fight between Justin Rothberg and Kyle Washington.

The Turner Motorsport driver holds a narrow two-point lead over Washington, in his GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Other contenders for the win in the pair of 40-minute races will include Memo Gidley, whose mid-season return in SKI Autosports’ Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II has seen the former open-wheel ace jump to fourth in the points standings, behind Ross Chouest of Chouest Povoledo Racing.

Blake McDonald is also entered in his No. 11 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

Of note, Mirco Schultis will not take part this weekend with his fan-favorite Callaway Corvette C7 GT3-R, owing to summer commitments in Europe.

CJ Moses is set to bring his GMG-prepared Audi R8 LMS GT2 back to competition this weekend, while Michael Fitzpatrick is expected to be the only GT4 class entrant in his 89x Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

While Anthony McIntosh is confirmed on the entry list, the Wisconsin native told Sportscar365 that he will not take part in the VIR races, as part of a shift in focus to European and international endurance racing.

McIntosh made his FIA World Endurance Championship debut in last weekend’s 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, helping score LMGT3 pole and finishing on the class podium.

GT America cars will be on track beginning on Thursday with a pair of test sessions, a Paid Bronze Test as well as opening practice, followed by Practice 2 on Friday and qualifying on Saturday morning.

Race 1 takes the green flag on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. EST, with Race 2 on tap for Sunday at 9:15 a.m., both of which will be streamed live on SRO’s GT World YouTube channel, as well as on Twitch.

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