GT America Highlights: Rothberg Takes Championship Lead at COTA
Austin, TX – Kyle Washington of GMG Racing and Justin Rothberg from Turner Motorsport each claimed victory in their respective races at the GT America powered by AWS event at Circuit of the Americas this weekend. However, it’s Rothberg who exits Texas with the championship lead.
In Race 1 qualifying, Blake McDonald set the fastest time but opted out of the race to prioritize track time for the GT World Challenge America. Consequently, Washington secured pole position in his #32 Porsche 992 GT3 R, with Elias Sabo in the #8 Flying Lizard Motorsports BMW M4 GT3 EVO alongside. Washington capitalized on Sabo’s early drive-through penalty for a premature start, ultimately claiming victory. Rothberg finished second, closely followed by Memo Gidley in the #56 SKI Autosport Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II. Ross Chouest completed the top four, finishing just 0.379 seconds behind Gidley.
Sabo, despite his penalty, set the fastest lap of Race 1, earning pole for Race 2. However, due to professional commitments, he did not participate in the second race.
In the GT4 class, Anthony McIntosh triumphed after overtaking Max Hewitt with two laps remaining, taking the win by less than two-tenths of a second. Hewitt, despite finishing second, set the fastest lap, securing pole for Race 2.
Race 1 Results:
- Kyle Washington (GMG Racing – Porsche 992 GT3 R)
- Justin Rothberg (Turner Motorsport – BMW M4 GT3 EVO)
- Memo Gidley (SKI Autosport – Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II)
- Ross Chouest (Chouest Povoledo Racing – Corvette)
In Race 2, Rothberg started from pole, while Washington quickly moved from the second row to challenge for the lead. However, a misstep from Washington allowed Rothberg to regain the lead, and he finished first, despite carrying an additional 13 kilos due to his Bronze derogation. Chouest and Gidley rounded out the podium.
Race 2 Results:
- Justin Rothberg (Turner Motorsport – BMW M4 GT3 EVO)
- Kyle Washington (GMG Racing – Porsche 992 GT3 R)
- Ross Chouest (Chouest Povoledo Racing – Corvette)
- Memo Gidley (SKI Autosport – Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II)
Hewitt completed a GT4 class sweep, taking the lead in the championship standings despite McIntosh’s persistent challenge, which was hindered by a loose muffler after contact with a curb.
GT America will return May 15-18 at Sebring International Raceway.
Images © Brian Cleary / SRO Motorsports America
