The TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School field concluded their weekend in the Lone Star State with Race 2 on Sunday morning at Circuit of The Americas. There was action at every turn, with multiple changes for the lead across all three classes as the competitors were unrelenting in their pursuit of success on track.
Chris Walsh further extended his ongoing winning streak by adding another victory to his tally in the TCX class. In TC, Ruben Iglesias Jr. returned to the top step of the podium, with Alex Garcia doing the same in TCA.
TCX class
Chris Walsh started the race from pole position in his No. 104 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M2 CS (Cup), and although he had a slight bobble into Turn 1, he managed to keep his car under control. However, this allowed Celso Neto to raise a challenge of his own in the No. 22 Skip Barber Racing Acura Integra Type S, eventually moving up into the lead ahead of Walsh by the end of the opening lap.
Walsh was keeping close, not allowing Neto to pull a gap ahead, with Lucas Catania in tow in the No. 17 Rigid Speed BMW M2 CS (Cup). The three competitors drove nose-to-tail as the halfway mark of the race approached, with the battle for the lead heating up as the time on the clock diminished.
Walsh’s patience paid off as he was able to reclaim the lead just before the final 15 minutes in the race. Once he was back in front with a clear track ahead, he got to work on pulling a gap, speeding away down the road all the way to the checkered flag.
As Walsh remained undefeated, snatching his sixth consecutive win, Neto and Catania fought tooth and nail for the runner-up position, with Catania ultimately taking second position over Neto in third.
“I knew it was going to be a dog fight for the first five to ten laps of the race, and that’s exactly what it was,” explained Walsh. “Celso Neto is the Minister of Defense of Brazil, and he was putting up amazing defensive moves. Overall, I just hung in there because I knew I could make a move eventually. It was a very fun battle, and Lucas Catania was right there as well. Thanks to Carrus Callas Raceteam for all the support that they’ve given me.”
TC class
On-track drama unfolded in the TC class from the moment the green flag waved as Cristian Perocarpi challenged for the lead right from the start in his No. 37 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW TC Pro, moving up into first place after completing a daring lunge on Jeff Ricca in the No. 78 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N Cup into Turn 1. Joey Jordan then got a run of his own on Perocarpi and moved his No. 71 FTG Racing Mazda 3 into the top spot by the end of the opening lap.
Competitors continued to exchange positions up and down the grid, with the running order changing lap after lap. Meanwhile, Ruben Iglesias Jr. gradually began making his way through the field in the No. 77 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N Cup, taking over the lead from Jordan at the halfway point.
The margins remained tight as Jordan kept within one second of Iglesias, but the Ricca Autosport driver put up a strong defensive performance and went on to pick up his second win of the season. Jordan concluded the race in second place, with Perocarpi rounding off the podium in third place.
“I’m just really happy right now,” said Iglesias Jr. “It was a great race. I ran into some issues later in the race, but I was able to keep Joey Jordan at bay, who gave me an amazing battle. Thanks to everyone for a clean race.”
TCA class
PJ Groenke and Alex Garcia were battling head to head in the TCA class on board the No. 62 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW and No. 14 Skip Barber Racing Honda Civic Si FE1. Garcia was in hot pursuit, forcing Groenke to keep a close eye on his mirrors lap after lap.
With 20 minutes to go on the clock, Garcia found an opportunity to sweep by Groenke as the two charged into Turn 1. Groenke continued to keep close and apply pressure, giving Garcia no room for error as the battle raged on all the way to the end. Garcia didn’t falter, keeping his focus locked on the victory as he crossed the finish line to claim the win.
Groenke wrapped up his weekend in second place, less than half a second behind Garcia. Maddy Lemke was back on the podium in third place in the No. 9 Ascent Racing Honda Civic Si FE1.