Both Drivers Need to Start One Race This Week to Earn Class Crowns
By Mark Robinson
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – For Steven Aghakhani and Luca Mars, the mission is simple: Start either of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge races this week at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and they wrap up their respective class championships for the 2024 season.
Aghakhani, driver of the No. 6 MLT Motorsports Ligier JS P320, has a hefty 540-point lead over Jagger Jones (No. 87 FastMD Racing with Remstar Duqueine D08) in the Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3) class. Mars, who pilots the No. 59 KohR Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4, has a 550-point cushion in the Grand Sport X (GSX) class over Patrick Wilmot (No. 88 Split Decision Motorsports BMW M4 GT4). By taking the starting grid for the 45-minute sprint race on Thursday or Friday, the class leaders will clinch no matter how they or their competitors fare.
With the pressure of maintaining the points lead relieved, Aghakhani and Mars will likely be more aggressive in trying to add to their season win totals. Aghakhani has three P3 triumphs in the first 10 races, while Mars has collected five in GSX.
“We’re obviously going to try to win out,” Mars said. “We have a pretty comfortable lead, so we’re going to do what we can to keep bringing the wins in. We’ll just keep focusing on making the car fast and keep getting the wins.”
Jones could still lead FastMD to the P3 team championship. The No. 87 Duqueine leads the No. 6 MLT Motorsports Ligier by 60 points heading into this week. Jones is also just 40 points up on Brian Thienes (No. 77 Forte Racing Ligier) for second in the driver standings. Thienes, though, will clinch the P3 Bronze-rated driver title by starting one of the races.
Following practice and qualifying on Wednesday, the second season for the VP Racing Challenge concludes with races at 1:10 p.m. ET Thursday and 8:45 a.m. Friday. Both races stream live on Peacock and IMSA.tv.
Fast Facts
IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Georgia
October 9-11, 2024
- Race Days/Times: Thursday, Oct. 10, 1:10 p.m. ET; Friday, Oct. 11, 8:45 a.m.
- Peacock Streaming Coverage: LIVE – Flag-to-flag beginning at 1:05 p.m. Thursday and 8:40 a.m. Friday (available outside the U.S. on IMSA.tv and YouTube.com/IMSAOfficial)
- IMSA Radio Coverage: LIVE – Flag-to-flag beginning at 1:05 p.m. Thursday and 8:40 a.m. Friday on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com
- CNBC Weekend Recap Telecast: Noon ET Saturday, Oct. 19
- Circuit Type: 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course
- Classes Competing: Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3), Grand Sport X (GSX)
- Race Lengths: 45 minutes
VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Track Records
- P3: Jagger Jones, Duqueine D08, 1:17.184 / 118.469 mph, October 2023 (Race 1)
- GSX: Sebastian Carazo, Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport, 1:27.776 / 104.174 mph, October 2023 (Race 2)
2023 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Race 1 Winners:
- P3: Bijoy Garg, No. 3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320
- GSX: Sebastian Carazo, Kellymoss with Riley Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport
2023 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Race 2 Winners:
- P3: Bijoy Garg, No. 3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320
- GSX: Sebastian Carazo, Kellymoss with Riley Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport