The final two rounds of the GT America powered by AWS championship are upon us, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway is setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of racing as the SRO3 class title fight is coming down to the wire. The GT4 class championship has already been decided, but there are still two coveted wins up for grabs. From October 4th to 6th, competitors will battle for a chance to cement themselves in the Brickyard’s history as they take on the 2.43-mile, 14-turn road course layout.
Fans will have plenty to enjoy with open paddock activities, including autograph sessions, local vendors, a Car Corral, and the pre-race grid walk for Saturday’s main event, the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS. This GT-only endurance race is the longest at IMS and brings together the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and the Intercontinental GT Challenge championships.
SRO3 Class
There was a change in hand for the SRO3 class lead following the previous rounds in Birmingham, as Jason Daskalos had a stellar weekend. By claiming back-to-back victories in his No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, he regained the top spot in the standings ahead of Johnny O’Connell. Although the driver of the No. 3 SKI Autosport Audi R8 LMS GT3 claimed a second-place result in Race 2, he faced setbacks in Race 1 which saw him finish at the back of the field. In turn, this allowed Justin Rothberg to close the points gap a little bit more with the No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3.
Kyle Washington moved himself into the Top 5 in the standings after claiming third and fourth-place finishes for GMG Racing with the No. 32 Porsche 992 GT3 R entry. He will also be joined by James Sofronas for the final rounds as he makes another appearance with the No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3.
The No. 02 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO of Jason Bell returned to the podium as well after he was promoted to third-place in Race 2. It was a different story for Tim Savage and Ross Chouest as their No. 007 ProSport Competition Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO and No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 tangled on track, and both will be seeking a better outcome in Indianapolis.
Mirco Schultis is also set to make a comeback as the driver of the No. 70 MISHUMOTORS Callaway Corvette Z06R GT3 joins the grid. The grand finale event also welcomes Scott Dollahite to the track in the No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3.
Additionally, the field is joined by two GT2 class entries as familiar faces Dan Knox and CJ Moses return to the grid in their respective No. 10 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT2 and No. 58 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT2.
GT4 Class
Although Isaac Sherman has already wrapped up his championship campaign following his clean sweep at Barber Motorsports Park, he will always be on the hunt for more wins in his No. 098 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. The title winner has stood on the podium in nearly every race this season, and is looking to take the top step yet again.
Runner-up Curt Swearingin has also accumulated an impressive number of top 3 finishes with his No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS CS, and there is no doubt that he will want to claim the final wins of the year.
Gray Newell continues to sit third in the standings with his No. 25 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, but victory lane has eluded him so far this season in this championship, and there would be no better place to earn his first win in GT America than Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The ongoing battle between Nicholas Shanny in the No. 21 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M4 GT4 G82 and Todd Parriott in the No. 31 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 has been excitingly close all season long. The advantage swung in Shanny’s direction last time out in Birmingham as he finished third in Race 2, with Parriott concluding both sprints in fourth. Damir Hot will also be back on track to accompany his Flying Lizard Motorsports teammate, driving the No. 05 Nissan Z NISMO GT4.
Finally, McLaren is coming equipped with two entries, represented by Alan Grossberg in the No. 102 TPC Racing McLaren Artura GT4, and Alan Teo in the No. 085 Orlando Motorsports Services McLaren Artura GT4.
Let’s Get Racing
The GT America Powered by AWS field is set to take to the track for Practice 1 on Thursday, October 3rd. Click here for the full schedule of the GT America weekend.
If you can’t make it to Indianapolis, be sure to tune-in to SRO’s free live streams all weekend long on YouTube (GTWorld) and Twitch (SROMotorsports) and follow all the action through our social media channels and the event hashtag #Indy8H.