Fuentes Clinches GTWC America Title in Third Hour

Photo: Regis Lefebure/SRO

Martin Fuentes has clinched the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Pro-Am drivers’ championship while Acura has locked up the GT3 manufacturers’ championship as competitors reach the 70 percent mark of the three-hour points-paying portion of the Indianapolis 8 Hour.

The Mexican driver, handed over the No. 1 Squadra Corse Ferrari 488 GT3 back to starting driver Alessandro Balzan just past the two-hour mark, with the car currently running 5th overall.

Balzan had replaced Rodrigo Baptista in the lineup this weekend, denying the Brazilian of a shared title with Fuentes.

A third place class run for the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo, meanwhile, has given Acura the GTWC America manufacturers’ championship, no matter where it takes the finish at the three-hour mark.

A left-rear puncture for Trent Hindman a the 90-minute mark has put the Racers Edge Acura one lap behind in the overall race.

Only three of the 12 GT3 cars taking part in the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli round have been nominated to score GTWC America points.

The No. 7 K-PAX Bentley Continental GT3 of Jordan Pepper leads overall, who holds a 50-second lead over the No. 34 Walkenhorst BMW M6 GT3 of Augusto Farfus.

The sister No. 35 BMW of Nick Yelloly runs third, just as the No. 31 Team Hardpoint WRT Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo of Spencer Pumpelly suffered a left-rear puncture as well in changing track conditions.

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