Wright Motorsports take sconed in Pro-Am in Sundays Sonoma race

Sunny, breezy conditions enveloped Sonoma at the drop of the green flag but there was a dark cloud over the KPAX camp as their prime pole and P3 positions slipped away quickly before the first turn. P2 Qualifier Colin Braun (number 04 DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3) and P4 qualifier Jan Heylen (number 20 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R 991.2) took advantage of the situation and edged forward to the top spots, dropping The KPAX Lamborghinis of P1 Jordan Pepper (number 3) and P3 Giovanni Venturini (number 6) as far back as fourth place.

More battles commenced for overall position and to get within striking range of the win, including a fight-back run between veteran Ryan Dalziel (number 63 DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3) and series newcomer Dakota Dickerson (#93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3) battling for position and to hold on to the Pro-Am podium spot.

Shortly before the pit window opened, the number 77 Compass Racing Acura NSX GT3 came in for an undetermined fuel-related issue that was solved by the team refueling and getting the car back into rotation.

Immediately after the pit window officially opened, the number 3 KPAX Lamborghini came into the pit for the mandatory stop and executed an almost-perfect stop that saw them jump out ahead and recover the positions from the bad start.

The AF Corse Ferrari and the number 9 TR3 Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 (Ziad Ghandour and Giacomo Altoe) were issued Drive-Through Penalties for their respective pit lane infractions incurred during the pit stop. 

At the close of the pit window, the field leaders had returned to essentially a similar position to the starting grid, each holding their positions for the remainder of the race while a battle for overall position proceeded with Pro-Am Class Am-rated Erin Vogel (number 19 DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3) defending against Russell Ward (number 33 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3) down to the last turn of the last lap to maintain 6th and 7th overall positions, with the number 33 car hanging on to the third Pro spot, locking out the #96 Turner Motorsports BMW F13 M6 GT3 (Michael Dinan and Robby Foley) from a podium showing.

Pro-Am competitors Wright Motorsports held on to the podium placement under driver Fred Poordad's driving of the number 20 Porsche, while Taylor Hagler brought home the number 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 for the last spot on the podium.

Fred Poordad, Driver, No. 20 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“Well that was a heck of a race one, and a great way to start the season at Sonoma Raceway. We struggled with car set up all weekend., but the team put it together for us and gave us a great car. Happy with the outcome of race one, finishing first in Pro/Am. We took our chances and opportunities when we could, and this is a good building block for the season. As for race two, I came out behind the 04 Mercedes, and didn’t have the pace to keep up. That was really the difference. Overall, given how quickly this season came about and how little we tested, I’m happy with my results and the rest of the season. Wright gave us a great car today, and I know they will for the whole season, so it’s up to the drivers.”

Jan Heylen, Driver, No. 20 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“We’re here to win the championship, so this is a good start to the season. We had enough pace to win in class in race one, and all that matters is we got the win and we got the points. It was not a perfect race for us but things came our way and it was sell deserved. We stayed out of trouble and gave Fred his first win of the season. Race two was a little more tough, but we did the best with what we had. We finished second and came away as the points leaders, that’s what we’re here for. Overall it was good. We had a good race weekend, especially when you consider we only had one test in the off season. I’m happy with the results and looking forward to Circuit of the Americas.”

Results are provisional until posted final. Catch the Sonoma weekend highlights package on CBS Sports Network premiering on March 17th at 8:30 pm EDT; check your local listings for channel information. GT America powered by AWS packs up the paddock and prepares for the next rounds of competition at Austin's Circuit of the Americas on April 30 - May 2.