Grand Prix of Long Beach: Justin Rothberg wins GT America race under caution
LONG BEACH — Justin Rothberg won Saturday’s SRO GT America race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach under caution when the leader’s car stalled with about two minutes left in the race.
James Sofronas had a comfortable lead when his Audi R8 LMS GT3 stopped on the front stretch near the start-finish line.
Rothberg came out of the hairpin on Turn 11 and passed Sofronas for the lead. The final two laps were completed under caution.
“I would rather finish the race under green. It feels better,” said Rothberg, driver of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Turner Motorsports. “Regardless, it’s amazing to get a win.”
Sofronas watched helplessly as cars passed him as the race ended after he had built a commanding lead.
“I thought second was it. I couldn’t see the first-place car,” Rothberg said. “I could catch a glimpse of him on the straightaway. Then I came around the hairpin and saw him come to a slow.
“I don’t like people not doing well, but when the first-place car slows down, and you’re second, it’s a pretty amazing feeling.”
Kyle Washington, driving a Porsche 992 GTS R for GMG Racing, was second.
Gray Newell, who won the pole in his Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO for the Heart of Racing Team, was third.
The second GT America race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach is today and starts at 11:20 am.
Roddy wins Historic Formula Exhibition race
Jordan Roddy from Bittern, Victoria, Canada, won the Historic Formula Exhibition race, driving a 2005 Lola.
The Historic Formula race pits cars from the three eras of racing, Formula 5000, Formula 1 and IndyCar, at the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Roddy’s Lola is from the IndyCar era.
Butch Leitzinger from Poughkeepsie, New York, in a 1969 Eagle, was second in the eight-lap race around the 1.968-mile street course.
Cal Meeker from Oceanside was third in a 1979 Tyrrell 009.
The second Historic Formula Exhibition race of the weekend is today and starts at 10:45 a.m.
Max Gordon wins Stadium Super Trucks race
Max Gordon won the Stadium Super Trucks race, finishing about a half-second ahead of Myles Creek.
The 16-year-old Gordon is the son of series organizer Robby Gordon, who also races in the series.
Robby Gordon was third in Saturday’s nine-lap race.
The Stadium Super Trucks race again today in the Grand Prix of Long Beach at 4:30 p.m.
Charpentier wins first Super Drift Challenge
Rome Charpentier, driving a BMW 1 Series for Garagastic, won the Super Drift Challenge on Friday.
Daniel Stuke, driving a Nissan Silvia for Mspek Performance, was second, falling to Charpentier in the final round. Stuke advanced by eliminating teammate Kasey Kohl in the final four session.
Jeff Jones, in a Nissan 370Z for Evol Auto Works, was third.
Round 2 of the Super Drift Challenge was set for Saturday night.