Gresham Wagner earned his fifth 2024 Continental Tire Pole Award on Saturday at Road America. At the start of the race the track conditions were damp, but drying as the sun came out. Westin Workman started the race behind his Copeland Motorsport teammate as drivers began the race in single file behind the safety car. Workman did not waste time in attempting to pass Wagner on the front stretch before entering Turn 1. After a little contact, Wagner was able to maintain the lead as a three-car battle for the sixth position unfolded between Lucas Weisenberg, Jordan RickSegrini, and Alex Garcia.
With 29 minutes remaining, Jaxon Bell threatened Wagner’s first place position as he trailed the leader by less than a second with 29 minutes remaining. Garcia moved into third position passing Workman and Spike Kohlbecker. Bell overtook his teammate and led the race until Garcia moved into first with less than 26 minutes remaining.
As the track conditions began to change with incoming rain, Garcia held a three-second gap ahead of the field as a battle for third ensued between Bell, Wagner, and Yuki Sano from BSI Racing. Sano maneuvered around Wagner in Turn 7 putting himself in third position before passing Bell for second position with 20 minutes remaining. Moments later Sano went off track allowing Bell, Wagner, and Kohlbecker to pass as the safety car came out due to standing water from heavy rain with 18 minutes left in the race.
With just over 8 minutes left, the race went green again before Garcia and Bell battled side by side for first. Bell pulled into the lead while Wagner and Kohlbecker followed. The leader quickly changed with Kohlbecker taking the first position with Wagner and Garcia fighting for second. The action continued behind the leaders as Henry Drury with Precision Racing LA w/PT Autosport and Christian Weir with TechSport Racing joined the battle for podium. Less than a second separated the leader Kohlbecker from Drury in third position as the checkered flag was waved.
Podium
Kohlbecker earned his fifth career win and 12th trip to the GR Cup Series podium. Bell finished in second place, marking his fifth trip to the podium this season. Drury earned his first podium taking home third.
Race Awards
Along with earning his first podium, Drury secured his second Hard Charger Award as he gained 13 positions after starting 16th. Nitro Motorsports’ Jade Avedisian clocked the quickest lap at 2:43.541 on lap 5. The Endava Highest Finishing Female Award went to Mia Lovell marking her 4th this season.
What’s Next
The GR Cup Series Road America weekend will wrap up on Sunday with a morning qualifying session to get the day started. The green flag will drop on Race 2 at 12:15 PM CT with live coverage on grcup.com and the GT World Challenge YouTube channel.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet all GR Cup drivers on Sunday during a 30-minute autograph session hosted in the courtyard adjacent to the podium. The autograph session will take place from 10:30 AM – 11 AM CT with event weekend posters available to sign.
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