Yahoo Autos Kurtz and Swearingin wrap up GT America Race 2 wins at COTA
The GT America powered by AWS field wrapped up their weekend with Race 2 at Circuit of The Americas early Sunday morning. A few yellow flags interrupted the action throughout the 40-minute race, which in turn resulted in a true sprint to the checkered flag as drivers put it all on the line during the limited green flag running.
George Kurtz and CrowdStrike by Riley claimed the overall and SRO3 class win after leading from start to finish, while Curt Swearingin and ACI Motorsports earned their first win of the season in the GT4 class.
SRO3 class
After setting the fastest lap in Race 1, George Kurtz started Race 2 from pole position in his No. 04 Crowdstrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3. He had a strong start, maintaining the lead as the action unfolded on the opening lap. Meanwhile, Jason Daskalos had an early setback in his No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 as he ran wide into Turn 1, rejoining at the back of the SRO3 class field.
A couple of yellow flags emerged in the first half of the race, which kickstarted a thrilling battle for second place between James Sofronas in the No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 and Kyle Washington in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (991.ii) as the two engaged in wheel-to-wheel fights on the race restarts. Meanwhile, Johnny O’Connell loomed closely behind in his No. 3 SKI Autosports Audi R8 LMS GT3 as he waited for an opportune moment.
In the final 10 minutes of the race, Washington moved up into second place and began challenging Kurtz for first place soon thereafter. However, another yellow flag brought an early end to that fight, as the race ended behind the safety car.
Kurtz secured his third win of the year, with Kyle Washingston stepping onto the podium for the first time this season with a second place finish, joined by James Sofronas in third.
“It’s a great win and solid points on the board today,” said Kurtz. “I think given some of the challenges yesterday with the broken suspension, we were lucky to get a podium. Now to come away with a win and more points, this is a good result and we’ll see where it goes from here. Anything is possible, and we just need to keep cranking out wins.”
GT4 class
Curt Swearingin took the green flag from pole position in the GT4 class in his No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, joined by Isaac Sherman applying pressure alongside him in the No. 098 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
Although the majority of the race unfolded under yellow flag conditions, Swearingin retained his lead and avoided trouble on the multiple race restarts, rising to the occasion to claim his first win of the season in the series, also putting an end to Sherman’s winning streak in the process.
Sherman concluded the race in second place, with Gray Newell completing the podium in third in the No. 25 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, which marked his seventh podium result of the season thus far.
“We have worked really hard,” explained Swearingin. “To get pole today and then to drive to a win was great. I’m even more excited to go to VIR now, I really love that track.”
The GT America Powered by AWS field will be back on track at VIRginia International Raceway from July 19-21
