The GT America powered by AWS field hit the 4.048-mile Road America circuit for a 15-minute qualifying session that set the grid for Race 1 of the Crown Coins Casino GT World event. With limited time on the clock, every lap mattered, and the drivers wasted no time pushing their machinery to the absolute limit.
From the drop of the green, the battle at the top of the charts was all about Blake McDonald and Memo Gidley. McDonald, piloting the No. 11 DXDT Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, set the early pace with a blistering lap that forced Gidley in the No. 56 SKI Autosport Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVOII to dig deep and respond. The two drivers traded fast sectors, keeping each other honest as the minutes ticked away.
McDonald ultimately maintained the upper hand, setting the outright fastest time of the session. However, as McDonald will not participate in this weekend’s races, the ROWE Motor Oil Pole Award was handed to Gidley, who will inherit the top starting spot.
Behind the leading duo, Ross Chouest continued his strong form at the National Park of Speed by clocking the third-quickest lap in the No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Kyle Washington, who hovered around sixth for much of the session, saved his best for last by vaulting into fourth on his final flying lap aboard the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 992 GT3 R. Jason Bell in the No. 2 Racers Edge Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO secured fifth, adding yet another marque into the mix.
Championship leader Justin Rothberg, meanwhile, will have work to do in Race 1 after qualifying sixth in the No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3. With his closest rivals all starting ahead, Rothberg’s charge through the field will be a storyline to watch as the race unfolds.
Let’s Get Racing
The GT America powered by AWS series will return to the track for Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, August 16th at 1:10 PM CT.
If you can’t make it to Road America, 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 #GTRoadAmerica.