Johnston and Benitez, Jr. Victorious Again at Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda in GT3 Cup Challenge
Both Also Score GT3 Cup Class Championships

Braselton, GA, Oct. 20, 2012-- Race 2 at Petit Le Mans for the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Series got off to a wild start in the middle of the pack, but Platinum and Gold Cup Champions Sean Johnston and Angel Benitez, Jr. stayed out of the fray to add one more win each to their stellar 2012 seasons.

On lap one there was contact between D. Bryce Miller’s Effort Racing car and David Ducote’s Kelly Moss Motorsports machine. The resulting incident left Miller, Jon Ellis of Wright Motorsports and Dan Weyland of JDX Racing disabled at the start/finish line.

The field went under a full-course-caution to clear the track. David Ducote was issued a stop-and-go penalty by Race Control for avoidable contact during the race start.

When the race resumed, Sean Johnston led his Wright Motorsports teammate Fernando Pena and Effort Racing’s Michael Mills to the green flag in the Platinum Class. Angel Benitez, Jr. led the way for Gold Cup.

Battles for position grew heated as the field settled into a racing rhythm.

Racing in the Gold Class, Gustavo Torres of MGM and Wayne Ducote of Kelly Moss Motorsports got together fighting for position in Turn 7, but both continued on.

Gold Cup driver and eventual Yokohama Hard Charger Award winner David Calvert-Jones made a valiant effort to chase down Gold Cup leader Angel Benitez, Jr., but he came up a few laps short.

“I got to within two cars of Angel (Benitez, Jr.) and then the race finished,” Calvert-Jones said.

Meanwhile, in Platinum Cup action John Baker and Carlos Gomez made contact navigating the terrain at Road Atlanta, and Gomez was issued a stop-and-go penalty from Race Control for avoidable contact with Baker.

At the front of the pack in Platinum Cup action Michael Mills faltered in Turn 5 giving Madison Snow the opportunity he needed to take third position and chase down his teammates Johnston and Pena.

In the end Snow didn’t have enough to catch his teammates. Johnston collected his eighth win of the season and teammates Pena and Snow completed the Platinum Cup Podium in Race 2 at Petit Le Mans.

Angel Benitez, Jr. scored his 11th win of the 2012 season in Gold Cup. He was joined on the Gold Cup podium by David Calvert-Jones of Competition Motorsports and Shaun McKaigue from Fiorano Racing.

IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama action for 2012 concluded at Petit Le Mans, with the Platinum Cup Championship going to Sean Johnston and the Gold Cup Championship being collected by Angel Benitez, Jr.

Wright Motorsports claimed the Platinum Cup Team Championship, while Ansa Motorsports won the Gold Cup Championship.

What the Drivers are Saying:

Sean Johnston, Platinum Cup Champion, Race Winner, Wright Motorsports:

“It feels great to bring home another win for all of the guys at Wright Motorsports today. They have been the perfect team for me this year in GT3 Cup Challenge. They paved the environment where I’ve been able to learn and develop into the race car driver that I am today. To get the win for them is awesome. Having wrapped up the Championship at Virginia International Raceway there was no pressure here this weekend. I was just out there driving and it was so much fun.”

Fernando Pena, Second Place Platinum, Wright Motorsports:

“It was actually a very reasonable race. We had the pace we needed. The goal was to get second position in Turn 1, which I accomplished. From there it was just a matter of having a consistent pace and not making any mistakes. We were working hard and my lap times were coming down as the gas was burning down. It was an enjoyable race for me!”

Madison Snow, Third Place Platinum, Snow Racing/Wright Motorsports:

“(Michael) Mills got me on the start so I was following him for awhile. He dropped a wheel in Turn 5 though and went off-track. I kept my racing line and got around him. I just stayed behind Pena and Sean (Johnston) from there and tried to keep up with them. It was a great season. Finishing second in the points feels good.”

Angel Benitez Jr., Gold Cup Champion, Race Winner, Ansa Motorsports:

“I’m so happy with this season. I had an awesome car and an awesome team in Ansa Motorsports. I feel at home in the GT3 Cup Challenge Series. I’m happy to be quick in these reliable cars that are actually very challenging to drive. It makes me feel prepared for next season.”

David Calvert-Jones, Second Place Gold Cup, Yokohama Hard Charger Award Winner, Competition Motorsports:

“It was a little scary at the start. I tried to pick a good line and anticipate which way the cars were going to spin across the track. That put me back a few cars so I had to try and get back through them to chase down Angel (Benitez, Jr.). I got to within two cars of him and then the race finished. It was a good way to end the season though. Being on the podium and getting the Yokohama Hard Charger Award is great.”

Shaun McKaigue, Third Place Gold Cup, Fiorano Racing:

“I was able to take advantage of everyone else’s mistakes today. A lot of these guys did a lot of good driving but there were accidents that I was able to take advantage of for track position. I had a ton of fun. It was a great day for me on the track.”