Connect with us

GT World Challenge America

Long Takes Wright Porsche to Victory in Race 2 at Road America

Patrick Long denies Adderly Fong sweep of weekend, wins Race 2…

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

Patrick Long swept past pole-sitter Adderly Fong around the outside in Turn 1 on the opening lap and led the rest of the way in a red flag-inflicted second Pirelli World Challenge GT/GTA/GT Cup Sprint race of the weekend at Road America.

The Porsche factory driver recorded his third win of the season in his No. 58 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, following a runner-up finish in Saturday’s race.

Race 1 winner Fong hounded Long during the 50-minute timed race, finishing 0.239 seconds behind in the No. 88 Bentley Team Absolute Bentley Continental GT3 in second.

In a caution-plagued race, trouble struck early on when two of the GTA challengers made contact on the first lap.

Preston Calvert spun in Turn 5 and collected Michael Schein, bringing out the race’s first caution period.

Schein appeared to get the worst of the collision and could not continue, while Calvert limped back to the pits for repairs and managed to get to the finish.

The race restarted ten minutes later but quickly went back behind the safety car for a major incident involving Jon Fogarty in the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Porsche and Peter Kox in the No. 93 RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 heading into Turn 5 on the restart.

The accident happened when Fogarty and the two Acuras of Kox and Ryan Eversley, along with the Porsche of Alec Udell, were jostling for position when they ran out of room.

Fogarty appeared to make contact with Eversley and spun across the track, collecting Kox and sending both hard into the outside wall.

Both drivers were evaluated and released from the infield medical center

After one lap behind the safety car, officials called for a red flag, for barrier repairs and debris cleanup, with the race restarting with 16 minutes left on the clock in the time-specific event. 

Johnny O’Connell completed the podium in the No. 3 Cadillac ATS-V.R, bouncing back from opening lap spin in Race 1, while Daniel Mancinelli finished in fourth in the No. 31 TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 car.

James Sofronas swept the weekend in GTA in the No. 14 GMG Racing Porsche, while Marko Radisic picked up the Race 2 win in GT Cup.

RESULTS: Race 2

Ryan Myrehn is an Indianapolis-based broadcaster and reporter. In addition to his work covering primarily domestic sports car racing for Sportscar365, he is the lead announcer for SRO America's TV coverage as well as a pit reporter for IndyCar Radio. Myrehn, a graduate of DePauw University, is also the host of Sportscar365's “Double Stint” Podcast.

Click to comment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in GT World Challenge America