Rothberg Takes First Win in Rain-Soaked Race 1 at VIR

Photo: Brian Cleary/SRO

Justin Rothberg claimed his first career GT America powered by AWS win in a rain-impacted opening round of the weekend at Virginia International Raceway.

Rothberg, who started on pole by virtue of setting the quickest time in Practice 2 after qualifying was cancelled, survived treacherous weather in the 40-minute scheduled race, which saw the opening 25 minutes run behind the safety car due to track conditions.

It came after SRO3 points leader Jason Daskalos, while running in second, slammed into the Turn 11 tire barriers to bring out the race’s second full course caution while on the first green flag lap of the race.

Daskalos limped back out on track with repairs to his CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo to finish 15th overall in the 16-car starting field.

A last-lap challenge by the No. 3 SKI Autosports Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II of Johnny O’Connell saw Rothberg and O’Connell make contact, resulting in a spin by the Audi.

Race control, which reviewed the incident post-race, ruled no further action.

Jason Bell came hone second in the No. 2 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, ahead of a delayed O’Connell in third.

Ross Chouest was fourth in the No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, with Kyle Washington completing the top-five in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R.

GT4 class honors went to Curt Swearingin for the second consecutive race, with the ACI Motorsports team owner/driver narrowly holding off a hard-charging Isaac Sherman for top class honors.

Damir Hot, in his GT America debut, completed the class podium after making a final lap pass in his No. 05 Flying Lizard Motorsports Nissan Z NIMSO GT4.

Race 2 for GT America gets underway Sunday at 8:45 a.m. EDT.

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