After a runner-up finish on Saturday, Gresham Wagner earned the Continental Tire Pole Award for Sunday’s race at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) alongside Spike Kohlbecker on the front row. Wagner got a jump on the field as the green flag dropped and cleared Kohlbecker and Westin Workman for the lead as they exited Turn 1.
With just under 30 minutes remaining on the clock, a six-car battle for the fifth position ensued behind the leaders between Christian Weir, Ethan Goulart, Mia Lovell, Zach Hollingshead, Tyler Wettengel, and Jaxon Bell. Just under two seconds separated the group as they looked to chase down the leaders and the final podium spot. As the six-car battle continued, Westin Workman was able to complete the pass on Spike Kohlbecker for second with 25 minutes left in the race.
Wagner pulled ahead to a commanding lead until the safety car was deployed for a full course caution with just over eight minutes remaining due to an incident involving the No. 34 of Braydon Arthur. The 45-minute clock expired under caution as Wagner secured his sixth win of the season in eight races.
Podium
With the win, Wagner earned his eighth podium of the season and 11th career GR Cup victory. Coming in second, Westin Workman tallied sixth runner-up finish of 2024 and seventh podium honors of the season. Kohlbecker found himself on the podium for each race at VIR, notching his fourth podium finish of the year.
Race Awards
Wagner laid down the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2:07:210 on lap 6. Mia Lovell swept the Endava Highest Finishing Female honors of the weekend with an eighth-place finish. Bennett Muldoon earned his second career hard charger honors by picking up eight spots throughout the race.
What’s Next
The Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) will head to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for the fifth race weekend of the season at Road America. The race weekend will take place August 16-18 with a parade in downtown Elkhart Lake on Thursday, August 16.
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