Race 2 at Sonoma Raceway was a treacherous affair as the GT America powered by AWS field braved the elements, with rainfall sweeping across the track on Sunday morning. The wet and slippery conditions made it difficult for the competitors to navigate their way around the circuit. As the weather worsened, the checkered flag was brought out early.
Kyle Washington and Max Hewitt were the ones to come out on top in their respective SRO3 and GT4 classes, mastering the art of racing in the rain as they each secured their first wins in the championship.
SRO3 class
It w as a difficult day for polesitter and Race 1 winner George Kurtz, as his race came to a premature end following a spin off track into the grass in his No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the opening lap.
This promoted Kyle Washington into the lead in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 992 GT3 R, while Justin Rothberg managed to complete an overtake on board his No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 EVO to move up into second place shortly before a full course caution emerged.
The green flag running briefly resumed, however, a spin on the front stretch at the halfway mark between the No. 80 Flying Lizard Motorsports BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Elias Sabo and the No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Ross Chouest brought out the yellows once again.
The field continued behind the safety car until the checkered flag was waved, with Kyle Washington claiming first, accompanied on the podium by Rothberg and Mirco Shultis in the No. MISHUMOTORS Callaway Corvette Z06R GT3.
“My coach told me ‘don’t crash,’ so I didn’t!” said Washington. “It was very wet out there, treacherous conditions with puddles throughout the track.”
