IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge: Tunjo and Workman Claim Double Wins Under Challenging Conditions
Daytona International Speedway – Óscar Tunjo in LMP3 and Westin Workman in GSX triumphed in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge 2026 season opener. Both drivers navigated adverse weather and course challenges to secure back-to-back victories over the weekend.
Rain prior to the Sunday race prompted officials to declare a wet start, leading all competitors to switch to wet-weather Michelin tires. Tunjo, piloting the #1 Gebhardt Motorsport USA Duqueine D08, began from pole and maintained an early lead, controlling the first eight laps. However, a series of lead changes unfolded, with his teammate Danny Soufi in the #11 Pinaxis-Zone 4 Racing Duqueine and Brady Golan in the #30 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325 both taking turns at the front.
Golan’s challenge ended dramatically on lap 18 when he skidded off the track and collided with a tire barrier, leading to a lengthy yellow flag. The race concluded with a one-lap sprint, during which Tunjo pulled away to finish 5.089 seconds ahead of Brian Thienes, the Bronze Cup winner in the #77 Forte Racing Ligier JS P320, and Lincoln Day in the #95 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325.
Tunjo remarked, “That was one of the hardest races of my career… bringing it into the flag was the main focus at the end with the win.”
Workman faced an even more tumultuous race in GSX, driving the #8 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2. Initially starting from pole, an air jack issue forced him to pit before the green flag and then suffer a power steering issue that relegated him to the back of the field. However, he quickly fought his way back, reaching fourth place within three laps and taking the lead by lap eight.
Despite intense competition from Justin Di Benedetto in the #4 Di Benedetto Racing Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport, Workman secured the win by 1.142 seconds after a final dash. Sean Quinlan claimed the GSX Bronze Cup victory with a third-place finish.
Workman noted, “Even with all the issues, I regained confidence that we could still win the race… I kind of studied the driver behind me, and he made a mistake, which allowed me to pull out a gap.”
Di Benedetto praised the rivalry, stating, “Racing with Westin is awesome… pure clean racing in tricky conditions.”
The next round of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge will take place at Circuit of the Americas on February 27-28, followed by the IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge weekend at Sebring International Raceway from March 6-8.
