Written by Sean McKean
This weekend, the prototype classes will take a break, with GTD Pro and GTD travelling to Virginia for a sprint round. This will be the last round that will not feature all classes.
There are 23 entries expected: nine in GTD Pro and 14 in GTD.
In the GTD Pro class, an emerging contender as of late has been the #23 Aston Martin, piloted by Ross Gunn and Alex Ribeiras. The pair has taken three podiums in the last four races and will be going for a fourth. Furthermore, co-driver Gunn holds the lap record in both GT classes – setting the GTD record in 2021 and GTD Pro in 2022.
But, if history is any indication, the #3 Corvette squad of Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims should also be favourites. Garcia specifically has won this race four times, including being the defending winner in GTD Pro.
Another rising contender – this time, in the GTDs – is the #96 BMW of Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher. After a slow start to the season, the two of them have put together finishes of fifth or better five straight times. Following a victory in Road America, they will look to take that momentum into Virginia.
However, the championship leaders in the class by a long shot still are Philip Ellis and Russell Ward in the #57 Mercedes. Although they finished fourth at Road America, that is only their second finish outside of the top three all season. Look out for these two to increase their podium count this weekend.
The race will begin on Sunday, 21 August at 12:10 local (17:10 UK).
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