Wright: Points Lead Reflects Team’s “Dedication” to Pro Class

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Wright Motorsports’ lead in the Pro class standings of Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS has showcased the team’s “dedication” amid the recent arrival of additional top-class competitors, according to team principal John Wright.

The Ohio-based team with drivers Elliott Skeer and Adam Adelson enter this weekend’s season mid-point with a 29-point lead over the No. 28 ST Racing duo of Bill Auberlen and Varun Choksey, in what’s quickly turning into one of the most competitive classes in SRO America competition.

DXDT debuted its Pro class Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R for Alec Udell and Tommy Milner at the most recent round at Circuit of The Americas, while RS1 returns to the top category with Spencer Pumpelly and Trent Hindman this weekend.

Consistency has placed the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R atop the standings after six races.

Skeer and Adelson , in their first season in the top class, swept the season-opening weekend at Sonoma Raceway before racking up second-place class finishes at Sebring International Raceway, as well as a fourth and second place overall results at Circuit of The Americas.

“Our team has worked incredibly hard this season, and our results reflect the dedication and skill of our entire group,” said Wright.

“Adam and Elliott have shown enthusiastic consistency and determination, and we’re excited to carry this momentum into the second half of the season at VIR.”

Adelson, in his first year in the Pro class, said he’s braced for the influx of competition to the class with the Corvette and RS1 Porsche entries.

“It’s been a great season for us so far, but the level of competition has definitely increased with the new pro class entries, so we’ll have to be operating at our best to bring home the results we want,” he said.

“Regardless, I’m extremely confident about our chances of standing on the top step, as there hasn’t been a challenge this year that we as a team haven’t risen to.”

Skeer, meanwhile, is hoping to erase the memories of last year’s VIR event with a return to victory lane for the first time since the Sonoma opener.

“This upcoming weekend is one I have been looking forward to for a long time,” he said.

“Last year, this was not our strongest weekend due to circumstances in and out of our control, I know as a team we are extremely focused on making sure to turn that around this year.

“Testing has gone extremely well, and Adam continues to drive at a new level every time out. As for me, I’m going to give it my all as always and focus on executing the plan and adapting when we need to.”

Milner: Corvettes Have Previously Excelled at VIR

Pro class rivals DXDT, meanwhile, head in with high expectations for a repeat of their Pro class debut at COTA two months ago.

“Corvettes have been very good in the past at VIR. The C8.R was really good there,” said Tommy Milner. “As we’ve seen so far this year with the Z06 GT3.R, the style of racetrack lends itself to what this car does so well.

“I’m always excited to race there. It’s kind of my home track. The people are great – Connie [Nyholm], Kerrigan [Smith] and Mike [Rose]… all just great people to work with and they put on a good show for the fans.”

Udell added: “We’re looking to build on the success of the last round at COTA and to continue the momentum that the Corvettes have gained over the last few rounds in IMSA and other worldwide competition.

“It could definitely be a tricky one this weekend at VIR. It’s a classic American circuit with high commitment and high risk.

“There’s a risk of rain like there always is in the summer in Virginia. I’m looking forward to navigating those tricky conditions, trying the Corvette in the wet for the first time and continuing to learn as much as I can throughout the process.”

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