GT World Challenge America: Race 1 Results at Barber Motorsports Park
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Kenton Koch and Connor De Phillippi of Random Vandals Racing secured a commanding victory in Race 1 of the GT World Challenge America at Barber Motorsports Park, marking the fifth overall win this season for the #99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO and their sixth in the Pro class.
De Phillippi assumed the lead after the first pit stop from pole-sitter Philip Ellis in the #91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. Despite securing pole, Ellis faced challenges due to two early Safety Car periods prompted by incidents involving Ross Chouest’s #50 Corvette, limiting his ability to establish a lead.
Regulator Racing opted against changing tires during their pit stop, a strategy that initially appeared fruitful as Jeff Burton advanced. However, his momentum waned as he encountered grip issues, leading to off-course excursions that ultimately affected his standings.
Koch managed to maintain second overall, topping the Pro class from the start, while De Phillippi delivered a strong finish, tightening their grip on the Pro championship title.
The #34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG, piloted by Michai Stephens and Mikaël Grenier, finished second, with Grenier executing a one-lap undercut on the #51 Random Vandals BMW, driven by Bill Auberlen and Varun Choksey, to claim the spot. The #18 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3 R, manned by Alex Sedgwick and Jan Heylen, secured fourth place.
In the Pro-Am category, the Turner Motorsport duo of Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley claimed fifth overall and their fifth class win of the season. Rothberg’s five-second “success penalty” allowed Blake McDonald and Matt Bell’s #11 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R to exit the pits ahead; however, Foley successfully maneuvered past Bell at turn five.
Completing the Pro-Am podium, Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent’s #32 GMG Racing Porsche finished seventh. The #24 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3, driven by Gray Newell and Darren Turner, came in eighth, followed closely by Todd Coleman and Aaron Telitz’s #88 Archangel Motorsports McLaren 720S GT3 EVO in ninth, and Jason Daskalos and Isaac Sherman’s #27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG in tenth.
Burton and Ellis ultimately crossed the line in 11th. In the Am class, the #6 Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3, driven by Scott Dollahite and Eric Powell, topped the standings ahead of the #163 AF Corse USA Ferrari 296 GT3.
This race solidifies Random Vandals Racing’s strong position in the championship standings as the series progresses.
Images © SRO Motorsports America
