Antonio Garcia Takes Center Stage: Corvette Racing's Thrilling Front-Row Start at VIR
Photo Credit: Richard Prince for Corvette Racing
No. 3 Corvette qualifies second, Milner on inside of third row in GT-only fight
ALTON, Va. (August 24, 2024) – The excitement was palpable at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR) as Corvette Racing's Antonio Garcia revved up to claim the second position in qualifying for the much-anticipated Michelin GT Challenge. Pushing the limits of his No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, Garcia clocked in a remarkable lap time of 1:43.346 (113.908 mph) during the brief but intense 15-minute qualifying session. This impressive performance secured him a spot on the outside of the front row, just 0.140 seconds shy of clinching the GTD PRO pole position.
Meanwhile, teammate Tommy Milner faced more of a challenge in the No. 4 Z06 GT3.R, finishing fifth in class with a time of 1:43.745 (113.470 mph). Unfortunately for Milner, his initial flying lap was hampered by traffic, leaving him somewhat frustrated with a race that could have showcased his true driving potential. Both drivers were competing in the only GT-exclusive event of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship this season, setting the stage for a monumental showdown ahead.
Strong Tradition at VIR for Corvette Racing
The Virginia International Raceway has long been a fortress for Corvette Racing, where the Pratt Miller Motorsports team has historically found success. With six victories already under their banner, including last year's triumph by Garcia and Jordan Taylor in the Corvette C8.R, expectations were high as they entered this race. The Z06 GT3.R has proven its mettle, having already racked up two wins at VIR this year, courtesy of DXDT Racing’s team that includes Milner.
In the GTD class, Orey Fidani, piloting the No. 13 AWA Corvette Z06 GT3.R, qualified 14th with a lap time of 1:47.306 (109.704 mph). Fidani and his teammate, Matt Bell, are looking to build on their momentum following a season-best fifth-place finish at Road America. A repeat performance at VIR could further cement Fidani's lead in the prestigious Bob Akin Award standings, granting him automatic entry into the next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Race Day Details and Broadcast Information
Fans are eagerly counting down the hours to the Michelin GT Challenge, scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET on Sunday. Those wishing to catch the live action can tune in to USA Network starting at noon ET, with the race also available for streaming on Peacock within the United States, and on IMSA.com outside of it. For those seeking further insight into the race, IMSA Radio will stream the call, also supported via XM 206 and SiriusXM Online 996.
Driver Reactions Post-Qualifying
ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – QUALIFIED SECOND IN GTD PRO:
“It was a confusing session with people slowing down, so you were forced to slow down in order to start the next lap. I’m sure we were in everybody’s way most of the time. I tried to be clean and do the best I could. I’m happy with the position for sure, but I wasn’t expecting this, and I wasn’t expecting such a long track to be so busy.”
TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – QUALIFIED FIFTH IN GTD PRO:
“It was a frustrating qualifying session, and I think if you asked everyone except the pole-sitter, they would probably agree. My quick lap was OK. I’m not crazy unhappy with it, but it would have been nice to have had a normal qualifying progression where I could go for two laps and see what that would have been.”
Source:
CorvetteRacing.com
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