A crucial victory for Chaves-Norman at Laguna Seca
In the penultimate round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, at Laguna Seca, Gabby Chaves passed Jonathan Morley in the waning minutes and went on to win the TCR class and finish 15th overall, taking over the lead in the TCR driver standings with teammate Ryan Norman.
Norman avoided the worst of a collision involving three of the Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster cars on the opening lap. Norman then got the team’s #33 car close to the front before giving way to Chaves, who passed Morley’s Audi in the track’s famed Corkscrew turn and pulled away to victory by 9.333 seconds.
“I had a close battle for a couple of corners and was able to make the overtake,” Chaves said. “I was successfully able to defend for about a half a lap. After that, I knew we had the better pace and better tyres at that point. We were able to manage the pace and drive away a little bit.”
Following the Road Shagger Racing Audi RS 3 LMS that Morley shared with Gavin Ernstone to the finish line in second was the #29 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai driven by Parker Chase and Spencer Brockman.
The first-lap melee included the #98 Hyundai driven by Mason Filippi and the #21 Hyundai with Harry Gottsacker at the wheel. Filippi and co-driver Michael Lewis entered the race leading the standings but finished eighth in class.
Now Chaves and Norman lead Filippi and Lewis by four points, with Ernstone and Morley 12 back and Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins 14 behind.
The Michelin Pilot Challenge season finale is set for November 13 at Sebring.
Race
1. Bryan Herta Autosport, Hyundai Veloster N (Chaves/Norman), 69 laps
2. Road Shagger Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS (Morley/Ernstone), 9.333
3. Bryan Herta Autosport, Hyundai Veloster N (Chase/Brockman), 2.080
Championship points
1. Chaves/Norman 257 pts; 2. Lewis/Filippi 253; 3. Morley/Ernstone 245
Picture: IMSA/LAT Images
