IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Concludes 2025 Season with Dramatic Finish at Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta, GA – The 2025 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge wrapped up its season with a gripping finale on Friday morning at Michelin Raceway. The 45-minute race concluded in dramatic fashion as reigning overall leader Oscar Tunjo suffered a critical tire failure on the final lap, allowing teammate Valentino Catalano to claim victory and secure his eighth win of the season in the LMP3 category.
Tunjo’s misfortune occurred after he had controlled the race from the start, poised to lead flag-to-flag in the #31 Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsports Duqueine D08. As the white flag waved, the race dynamics shifted abruptly when Tunjo lost his right front tire exiting turn 12. Catalano, driving the sister #30 Duqueine D08, seized the opportunity to take the lead just as the race concluded. This win marks Catalano as the last driver to win in a previous-generation, V8-powered LMP3 vehicle; the current turbocharged V6 LMP3 models will debut in 2026.
“Better race than yesterday for me. We made some changes on the car, and it felt better. Happy to end the season with a win,” Catalano reflected after the race. “Unlucky for my teammate, but we’re pleased with the overall championship.”
In GTD and GS categories, repeat winners Jake Walker (GTDX) and Kiko Porto (GSX) each secured their ninth victories of the season. The race remained green from start to finish, following an initial formation lap to warm up tires.
Walker, starting from pole with the #6 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3, executed a strategic pass on Adams Adelson for the lead by lap 10. He ultimately distanced himself, finishing 8.703 seconds ahead.
“Adam was really fast again. I was able to make a move after a few tries at turn 10,” said Walker regarding his duel with Adelson, who finished second in the #24 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Adelson, who clinched the GTDX championship on Friday with a strong performance, expressed gratitude for his team’s support, stating, “This championship means the world to me, especially being a single-driver series.”
In GSX, Porto dominated from pole in the #8 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, leading throughout the race. Teammate Ian Porter secured a solid second place, contributing to RAFA Racing’s impressive season performance of 10 wins out of 12 races in GSX.
“We know the Supra runs well in the cold, and I was able to improve my qualifying lap time significantly,” Porto noted.
With this concluding event, the overall standings solidified the dominance of Toyota in the GSX category, as they achieved a perfect season.
The new season of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge is set to begin at Daytona International Speedway on January 16-18, 2026, coinciding with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend.
Race Results Summary:
- LMP3: Valentino Catalano (30)
- GTDX: Jake Walker (6)
- GSX: Kiko Porto (8)
Notable Mentions:
- Adam Adelson (Championship Winner GTDX)
- Ian Porter (Second in GSX Championship)
Images © Jake Galstad / IMSA / Lumen
