The 2024 VSCA SportsCar Championship roared back into action at Watkins Glen, NY, this past Saturday with the much-anticipated 6 Hours of the Glen. As the sixth round in a ten-race series, and the third installment of the five-race VSCA Endurance Cup, this event carried high stakes and immense excitement. The Watkins Glen International track, renowned for its 12 challenging turns and a 3.40-mile stretch, set the stage for what would become one of the most thrilling and unpredictable races in recent memory.
Early Chaos and Historic Crash
The race started under sunny skies, but it didn't take long for the drama to unfold. Just 31 minutes into the competition, the first full-course yellow flag was waved, bringing a temporary halt to the action. The race resumed at the 51-minute mark, but the calm was short-lived. Only a minute after restarting, the most significant incident in VSCA history occurred—a massive wreck in the esses involving 24 cars, triggered by contact between the #19 Trading Paints Racing GTP car and the #14 Fischer Motorsport LMP2 car. This unprecedented pileup left more than half the grid in tatters and required extensive cleanup, delaying the race for nearly seven minutes.
Once the track was cleared, racing resumed, only to be interrupted again at the 2 hours and 25 minutes mark by a third full-course yellow. This final yellow period lasted for 21 minutes, adding to the 49 minutes total spent under yellow flag conditions. These disruptions tested the drivers' patience and the teams' strategies, but they also set the stage for a showcase of resilience and skill.
Dominance and Strategy: The Triumph of Digital Chicane
Amidst the chaos, Ryan Koprowski, driving the #93 Digital Chicane Ferrari 296 GT3, proved his mettle by securing pole position with a blistering lap time of 1:44.269. Koprowski, along with his teammates Ethan Swan and Kyle Loh, demonstrated exceptional pace and coordination, leading the most laps in the GT AM class—120 in total. Their performance was not just a display of speed but also strategic brilliance, as they navigated the race's numerous challenges to secure their second consecutive victory.
Kyle Loh, reflecting on the race, expressed his elation and pride in the team’s preparation and execution. "I’m just so happy for our team at Digital Chicane and our 93 Ferrari team in particular. It’s awesome to have such a strong performance here at Watkins Glen. That massive wreck in the esses was crazy, but for us, it was a huge relief when we realized that the safety car would give us enough time to repair most of the damages and still remain on the lead lap in GT AM class. The three of us came to this race well-prepared, and it really showed through our pace today. I’m very proud of the whole team," Loh said.
Unwavering Competitors and Impressive Climbs
The #5 Screeching Moose Motorsports Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo, driven by Makena Deane and Sean Hatfield, finished in second place for the second race in a row. Their consistent performance has solidified their lead in the GT AM series championship. Despite not securing a victory, their reliability and strategic acumen have kept them at the forefront of the competition.
Another standout performance came from the #34 Mayer Simspeed Performance Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo. Starting from eighth on the grid, drivers Aaron Beaver and Will Robertson made an impressive climb to finish third, marking Mayer Simspeed Performance’s first-ever GT AM podium finish. This remarkable achievement was a testament to their skill and determination, capturing the attention and admiration of fans and competitors alike.
Final Standings and Championship Implications
The final standings saw the #93 Digital Chicane Ferrari 296 GT3 taking the top spot, followed by the #5 Screeching Moose Motorsports Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo in second place, and the #34 Mayer Simspeed Performance Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo in third. The #016 and #017 Vulture Motorsports Ferrari 296 GT3 cars rounded out the top five, demonstrating strong and consistent performances.
In the broader context of the GT AM SportsCar Championship standings, the #5 Screeching Moose Motorsports Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo maintains a commanding lead with 2674 points. The #80 Digital Chicane Ferrari 296 GT3 holds second place with 2283 points, while the #29 Firestorm Motorsport Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo is in third with 2017 points. Significant movements included the #94 Full Send Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo and the #34 Mayer Simspeed Performance Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo, both making notable advances in the standings.
Looking Ahead: Road America Awaits
As the dust settles at Watkins Glen, teams and fans are already looking ahead to the next challenge—the JRT Summer Sprint at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. Scheduled for June 29, 2024, this race will be the seventh round of the 2024 VSCA SportsCar Championship. With the championship battle intensifying, every point and position will be crucial in the pursuit of the title. Fans can catch all the action live on GreenFlag TV, ensuring they don't miss a moment of what promises to be another thrilling chapter in this year's championship saga.
The 6 Hours of the Glen was a race to remember, filled with dramatic twists, strategic brilliance, and standout performances. As the championship progresses, the stakes only get higher, and the competition fiercer, making each race a must-watch event for motorsport enthusiasts around the world.
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