WinWard Racing takes victory at Watkins Glenn

Phillip Ellis and Bryce Ward grab WinWard Racing its first victory since 2023 after a left rear puncture strikes the 39 CarBahn BMW with 18 minutes to go in the 2 hour race. Ellis was able to survive a late race restart with 5 minutes remaining after Caleb Bacon stopped his number 21 VGR Cupra with 12 minutes to go. The race unfortunately ended under the full course yellow after a piece of curbing broke lose in the inner loop which brought out another yellow. It marked Ward’s third Pilot Challenge win and first since Indianapolis in 2023. Ellis meanwhile was drafted in to sub for Daan Arrow who was competing at the 24 Hours of Spa. The CarBahn BMW led from the first round of stops after pulling off the overcut from second. Ellis charged in the second stint to close the gap to Westphal. WinWard’s final stop was 6 seconds slower than CarBahn’s. The 57 inherited the lead after the puncture on the 39. Nate Cicero and Robert Noaker come home in second place securing there second podium of the season. The 60 KOHR Motorsports Mustang of Mike Skeen and Evan Slater score there first podium of the season. In TCR it has been a long time coming this season for KMW Motorsports team are able to take there Honda to victory lane. For Roco Pasquarella this marks his first career Michelin Pilot Challenge victory. Tim Lewis took the class lead from the 89 HART Honda of Chad Gilsinger with 32 minutes left. The 33 BHA Hyundai of Bryson Morris and Mason Filippi take second and rounding out the podium Eduardo and Eddie Gou aboard there Gou Racing Audi.