The SRO Motorsports America prize-giving ceremony took place at the JW Marriot in downtown Indianapolis following the fourth running of the Indianapolis 8-Hour presented by AWS, which marked the end of the 2023 race season.
The event conjoined all five SRO America race series in celebration, including the Fanatec GT World Challenge America, GT America powered by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America, TC America powered by AWS and Toyota GR Cup North America. The room lit up in red and surrounded guests with championship-winning race cars from various series while the familiar voices of Ryan Myrhen and Amanda Busik hosted the evening festivities. Champagne toasts cascaded table to table while team and drivers were crowned.
TKO Motorsports Earn Driver and Team Championship in Rooke Season
Memo Gidley in the No. 101 TKO Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 wrapped up his first season in the GT America powered by AWS series with a championship in the SRO3 Class. Gidley kept the competition close throughout the year but solidified his champion status in Race One at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gidley took home six wins and seven podium finishes over the year to give the TKO Motorsport team the SRO3 Team Championship title. Gidley had Vice Champion Jason Daskalos glued to his bumper nearly all season. If Daskalos didn’t have a wheel at his door, it would be third-place finisher George Kurtz gunning for the win. The trio aided in giving Mercedes-AMG the SRO3 Team Manufacturer title.
SRO3 DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP
- Champion: Memo Gidley
- Runner Up Jason Daskalos
- Vice Runner-Up: George Kurtz
SRO3 TEAM CHAMPION
- TKO Motorsports
SRO3 MANUFACTURER CHAMPION
- Mercedes-AMG
Moses Takes Top Honor in GT2 Class Return
The GT2 Class Championship was decided in one weekend. The GT2 Class will become a mainstay in the GT America series come 2024. In good faith of the progress and competition the trio of competitors brought to the Indianapolis 8-Hour week, the class crowned a champion. CJ Moses in the No. 58 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT2 competed on the streets of Nashville and the road course of Indianapolis to win the title.
GT2 CHAMPION
- CJ Moses
Bell and Flying Lizard Motorsport Double Up on Championship Titles
Jason Bell made it two in a row by beating out Robb Holland by a single point. Bell became the 2023 Driver Champion through a nail-biter finish in Race Two at Indianapolis. Holland won the race but only seconds behind him was Bell who kept his wits about him and kept the competition behind him. Holland missed the opening rounds on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida but through diligent driving, put himself in championship contention at the end of the year. Ross Chouest had a valiant effort that racked up three wins and seven podium finishes to end his year third in the championship. Bell and teammates Elias Sabo and Todd Parriott combined scores to give Flying Lizard Motorsports the GT4 Team Championship. Ever popular and ever competitive, Aston Martin Racing were crowned GT4 Manufacture Champions.
GT4 DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP
- Champion: Jason Bell
- Runner-Up: Robb Holland
- Vice Runner-Up: Ross Chouest
GT4 TEAM CHAMPION
- Flying Lizard Motorsports
GT4 MANUFACTURE CHAMPION
- Aston Martin Racing
Special Award Mentions
In addition to the night’s festivities, Rookie of the Year, CrowdStrike Fast Lap Champion, Crew of the Year, ROWE Pole Award Champion, Masters Champion and non-competition awards were bestowed to individuals in the SRO America paddock with exemplary performance. The winners showcased the true spirit of racing and innovation of SRO Motorsports champions.
CREW OF THE YEAR
- Chouest Povoledo Racing
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- Anthony Bartone
ROWE Pole Position Champion
- Memo Gidley
CROWDSTRIKE FAST LAP CHAMPIONS
- Memo Gidley
MASTERS CHAMPION
- Johnny O’Connell
JEROME ZIMMERMAN AWARD
- Kevin Conway
JIM COOK AWARD
- Ash Vandelay
MIKE PASQUALE AWARD
- Jim and Priscilla Ohanesian
OPERATION MOTORSPORT’S T.I.P AWARD
- SRO Race Control
With the season officially checkered flagged for 2023, all eyes are on 2024 where SRO America will kick off the season at Sonoma Raceway on April 5th – 7th and make trips to best circuits in North America including a return to Barber Motorsports Park.