PORSCHE SPRINT CHALLENGE 2024 – UTAH RESULTS
Article Courtesy of SportsCar 365 (published May 15, 2024)
Blake McDonald (BRracing) scored two wins this weekend in Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, but not without feeling the heat from Casey Dennis (RWE). Utah Motorsports Campus hosted the second round of the season, which McDonald sought to sweep similar to the season opener at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in March.
Blake McDonald’s BRracing Porsche 992 Cup Car in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Race – May 2024
Despite starting first in both races with the No. 208 BRracing Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, McDonald had a late acceleration to the green flag on Saturday, got passed, and chased Dennis back for the lead. It was quick redemption as he regained first place on the next lap and went on for the victory, but only by a few seconds over Dennis.
On Sunday, McDonald corrected his mistake from the day prior and led flag-to-flag following an excellent start. While Dennis cut into his lead towards the end of the race, McDonald withstood the pressure to sweep his second consecutive PSCUW event with BR Racing. Sam Parnagian (BRracing) completed the podium by finishing third in both races.
Sam Parnagian BRracing Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Car – Porsche Sprint Challenge Race – Utah, May 2024
“I’d say we didn’t (make the same mistake twice), too, and I think we sorted out the issue,” said McDonald on Sunday. “Casey was crazy fast. I was worried from start to finish. I think he’s going to keep me real honest, and we’re going to have a ton of fun this season.”
In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, McDonald’s teammate, Kevin Woods (BRracing) shone in Race 1 on Saturday. Woods’ team overcame gearbox issues early in the weekend and Kevin impressively qualified fourth after just getting two qualifying laps.
McDonald’s stutter at the start line inadvertently helped his teammate as the trailing line of cars was pushed back. And despite being five years away from a Porsche GT3 Cup race car until this season, Woods was quick to jump ahead of the Masters field to score his second win of 2024.
Kevin Wood’s BRracing Porsche 992 Cup Car in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Race – May 2024
On Sunday, however, it was Kyle Washington (GMG) – coming back from fifth in the No. 232 GMG Racing Porsche – to clinch his first win of the year after two podiums at Spring Mountain, with Kevin Woods (BRracing) finishing second.
In the Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport class, Eli Kogan continued his winning streak with victories on Saturday and Sunday, bringing his total to four on the season. In Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Masters, Richard Kinsey became the third winner in the class on Saturday and doubled down for another victory on Sunday.
For the first time this year, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West Series by Yokohama will unite at Circuit of The Americas on May 24-26, with a trio of races scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.
However, for the first time in series history, competitors will tackle a 60-minute endurance race – the first of three this season – before concluding with a six-hour enduro at COTA again later this year (November 2024). The races will feature a class for 911 GT3 Cup cars and another for 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports in a new-for-2024 championship that has been named the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.
Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channel.
In terms of championship points, Blake McDonald (BRracing) holds a strong lead in the Pro-Am 992 GT3 Cup class, with Sam Parnagian (BRracing) in second place. In the Masters Class for the 992 GT3 Cup Cars, Kevin Woods (BRracing) holds the lead. Next event is the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race May 24-26, 2024.
