Pmna Indianapolis 2023 489 2023 09 18

Double Victory Secures Dickinson 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship

September 17, 2023

Castro, Noble Also Sweep Weekend Class Wins at Indianapolis

 

Race 2 Results

INDIANAPOLIS – Entering the Indianapolis Motor Speedway weekend of the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America, Riley Dickinson had a theoretical chance to win the championship. He leaves Rounds 11 and 12 of the premier Porsche one-make race series very much the champion.

 

The title is a culmination of not only an impressive year on track in the No. 53 Racing For Children’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car prepared by Kellymoss, but a five-year journey on the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America. The New Braunfels, Texas, resident swept all but one point available in Indianapolis with two race wins, two pole positions and one of two fastest race laps. This comes in addition to seven previous race wins and six maximum points rounds. The 21-year-old also locked the Porsche Junior Program North America title with four rounds remaining on the 16-race calendar. Dickinson will be awarded the Al Holbert Cup for his overall and Pro class championship at the series’ Night of Champions in Austin, Texas, Oct. 22.

 

The 2.439-mile road course that cuts through the heart of the world’s most famous racetrack has proven to be a favorite of the Texan. He took his first career Carrera Cup victory here in 2022. Indy is also a favorite of Efrin Castro and Scott Noble, both of whom also returned to victory lane for the second straight day on Sunday. Castro has now earned six Pao-Am class wins for the season in the No. 65 Kellymoss Porsche while the No. 10 MDK Motorsports Porsche carried Noble to his second straight win at the Brickyard and his fifth Am class win of the year.

 

  • Pro class winner: Races 1 & 2. Riley Dickinson (No. 53 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup)
  • Pro-Am class winner: Races 1 & 2. Efrin Castro (No. 65 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup)
  • Am class winner: Races 1 & 2. Scott Noble (No. 10 MDK Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup)

Highlights

 

  • Hotly contested. Despite the Pro championship being settled four rounds early, the remaining class championships are still hotly contested. In the Pro-Am category, Castro has won the last four rounds, six races total, but a slow start at Sebring has kept the 2021 class champion from locking down his second title. He holds a 71-point lead over Marco Cirone, who has one win but six second-place finishes. In the Am class, MDK Motorsports teammates Mark Kvamme and Noble are now within 24 points. Four straight victories have closed the Texan’s gap to his Ohioan team owner. Following a caution-free race on Saturday, Sunday’s second race had a Lap 1 yellow flag. As a result of on-track incidents, three drivers were sent to the infield care center at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for evaluation. Sabré Cook and Cirone made contact in Turn 7 on the opening lap when the No. 82 of Cirone suffered an issue. The No. 77 of Travis Wiley had contact in a separate incident. Cirone and Wiley were evaluated and released from the care center. Out of an abundance of caution, Cook was transported to a local hospital for precautionary imagery. She was evaluated and released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon.

 

  • Hard start. Tom Sargent entered the weekend second in Pro class points after a consistent season of podium finishes but no race wins. However, an aggressive Turn 1 move on the start Sunday left the No. 17 McElrea Racing Porsche involved in an incident that dropped him through the field. He would complete all 23 laps but finish 19th overall, eliminating him from championship contention.

 

  • It all starts here. Since winning his first Porsche Carrera Cup North America victory at Indianapolis in September 2022 at Porsche Sports Car Together Fest, Dickinson has put nine more victories on his resume and has finished on the podium the entire 2023 race season.

 

 

 

  • Next Up. Rounds 13 and 14, Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Oct. 1.

 

Quotes.

 

Riley Dickinson, No. 53 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Pro Winner, Race 1 and 2: “First and foremost, I want to make sure Sabré is OK. She had a tough incident there in Turn 7 and I am wishing her the best. The beginning of the race was a bit scrappy. Ultimately, once we ended the full-course yellow, we were able to break away, stay out of trouble and click off laps. I am quite speechless right now. Twelve months ago, here at Indianapolis, this was my first career win and now, a year later to win the championship is a surreal moment. I have been working for this for so incredibly long. This definitely is a very cool feeling.

 

“I can’t thank everyone at Kellymoss enough for all of their hard work. It has been an unbelievable two years. My mechanic Donnie Leonard has been my guy for two years now and it’s super special to give him this championship. To be able to do this for Racing For Children’s and all of the kids back at the hospital and here is very special. Porsche Austin has been unbelievable supporters of me back home; a huge thank you to them. We will be able to go to Laguna Seca and Austin with no worries about the championship, just focus on race wins. I look forward to Rennsport!”

 

Efrin Castro, No. 65 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Pro-Am Winner, Race 1 and 2: “Thanks to God for this weekend. It was amazing. I want to give my congratulations to my teammate Riley. He has been working so hard for this for so many years. He is now where he deserves to be as a champion. He is going to continue winning. He made himself who he is today by all of his hard work. I am just thrilled and happy I was part of his journey.”

 

Scott Noble, No. 10 MDK Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Am Winner, Race 1 and 2: “I didn’t want to race with the Pro-Ams because I wanted to make it a points race. It is really going to be a close point race between Mark (Kvamme) and myself. I am pretty excited about being able to get back close to him in the points because now these last four races mean a hell of a lot.”