Workman Takes First GR Cup Win With Dominant Race 1 Drive
Westin Workman controls Race 1 on the way to his and BSI Racing's first GR Cup North America win...
Photo: Fred Hardy/SRO
Westin Workman took his first Toyota GR Cup North America win in the first of two weekend races at Sebring International Raceway, with a margin of victory not often seen in the single-make series.
Jaxson Bell slotted into the lead on Lap 1, moving past the pole-sitting Workman to hold a narrow lead over the BSI Racing driver. However, a few laps later, a ‘dummy’ move from Workman down the inside of Turn 1 set up a door-to-door battle and eventual pass on Bell to bring the No. 13 Toyota back to the head of the 22-car field.
Workman quickly began growing a gap to the field behind, taking the checkered flag 8.509 seconds clear of Lucas Weisenberg to secure both his and BSI Racing’s first series victory in the No. 13 Toyota GR86 Cup Car.
Late in the race, Bell engaged in a thrilling battle with Weisenberg and Copeland stablemate John Dean for second. Ultimately, the Lucas Racing driver won out to claim second position after starting fourth, with Bell’s No. 7 Copeland car rounding out the podium.
Dean finished fourth, but took the Legends Cup class win in the process after fighting with Weisenberg for third early in the race.
Ethan Ayars came home fifth after battling with Tech Sport’s Ethan Goulart for a good portion of the 45-minute sprint race.
In the final stages, Jenson Sofronas spun after contact made while attempting a move for position on the No. 31 Nitro Motorsports entry of Jackson Tovo, who took to pit lane with damage. Sofronas was handed a drive-through for incident responsibility, which was followed by a post-race penalty for speeding in pit lane while serving his drive-through.
Impressive car control from Zach Hollingshead avoided a potentially scary incident when he caught his rear right tire on an exit curb, launching his GR86 Cup car across the race track. Hollingshead managed to avoid contact with the wall and his fellow competitors.
Beltre Curtis took to pit lane with a puncture after the opening revolution, bringing his No. 5 GR86 for a fresh front left Continental tire before rejoining the field for a handful of laps before ultimately retiring.
Race 2 goes green at 10:05 a.m. EST on Sunday, with live coverage available on SRO’s GT World YouTube channel and on Twitch.
RESULTS: Race 1
