Atlanta, GA, July 16, 2012-- The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Series has completed half of its eight stops throughout the 2012 season at some of the most famous race courses across North America.

If the first half is any indication, the championship battle in the second half of the season will go down to the wire.

The next rung on the championship ladder for the GT3 Cup series is the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with races on July 21 and 22.

The series is divided into Platinum and Gold Cup classes, and action in both divisions has pitted young guns against seasoned veterans of the series.

In the Platinum Cup, 21-year-old Sean Johnston and 16-year-old Madison Snow have been duking it out with seasoned GT3 drivers like Fernando Pena.

Veteran Fernando Pena collected a pair of second-place finishes at the season opening 12 Hours of Sebring and has yet to finish outside of the top-five in any race.

Utah-native Snow, making his debut in Platinum Cup competition this season, swept both races in front of family and friends at the Utah Grand Prix.

He followed his success in Salt Lake with a win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, and Johnston scored his first win at the second race that same weekend. 

Johnston remained on his roll and followed his first GT3 Cup victory with another prestigious win at the Grand Prix du Canada, sharing the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal with Formula 1.  

The fact the top-three championship contenders are all members of the Wright Motorsports stable adds another flair of drama. Johnston currently leads driver points with 122, while Pena trails closely with 112. Snow is nipping at their heels in third with 97 points.

Competition in the Gold Cup has been equally spirited between rookie Angel Benitez, Jr. and Melanie Snow.

Despite missing the first two events of the season, Snow remains within striking distance of Benitez, Jr. and his Ansa Motorsports team.

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama 2012 storylines will continue to unfold this weekend at the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport with races on July 21 and 22.