O’Connel and Ski Autosports Score GT America Championship Title for Audi

• Rothberg and Sherman Score Double Wins in SRO3 and GT4
• O’Connell, SKI Autosports Clinch Nail-Biting Championship 
• Race 2 Provisional Results

[source: GT America]

The GT America Powered by AWS drivers were up bright and early for the last race of the season. Yesterday’s race was nothing short of action-packed, to the dismay of points leader Jason Daskalos, who saw the gap in the championship dwindle. He started Race 2 in first place in the standings, 6 points ahead of Johnny O’Connell. The title was still obtainable for young gun Justin Rothberg, who had clinched the Fanatec GT World Challenge America Pro-Am title in the Indy 8 Hour the night prior. 

As the race drew to a close, Justin Rothberg crossed the finish line first, but it was Johnny O’Connell who was crowned the SRO3 class champion by one single point when it was all wrapped up. In the GT4 class, Isaac Sherman concluded a near-perfect 2024 season with back-to-back wins. 

SRO3 Class

It was a dramatic start of the race for the SRO3 field, as championship leader Jason Daskalos was under pressure from Kyle Washington as the green flag was waved. However, in Turn 1, the No. 14 GMG Racing Audi RS LMS GT3 of James Sofronas collided with Daskalos’ No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, with the championship leader ending up in the tire barrier. Fortunately, he was able to rejoin the race, but at the tail-end of the field. Sofronas was issued a drive-through penalty for incident responsibility. 

Meanwhile, Johnny O’Connell had a stellar start and was running second in his No. 3 SKI Autosports Audi R8 LMS GT3, knowing very well that he could clinch the title by holding position, provided that Daskalos wouldn’t climb back up the field. While one hoped for a caution to bring the pack closer together again, the other wanted the opposite. 

The SKI Autosports driver had his work cut out for him, as he was under threat from the No. 70 MISHUMOTORS Callaway Corvette Z06R GT3 of  Mirco Shultis. However, as time elapsed, the Audi came alive, and O’Connell was able to re-establish his advantage. 

It was an uncontested win for Rothberg, who dominated from flag to flag, clinching the last win of the season with an eight-second margin. Though he finished second at the line, it was Johnny O’Connell who was elected the 2024 GT America Powered by AWS SRO3 class champion. 

Race winner Rothberg had high praise for the champion, saying that “it’s been amazing racing up against him. He’s probably one of the most influential people in the sport and I’ve learned so much just by trying to get by him or trying to keep him behind me. There’s not a track that he hasn’t been on where someone hasn’t already tried to make a move I’ve tried on him myself. He just has so much experience and it’s great to try and get some of it from him.”

“It’s not just me, it’s everybody at SKI Motorsports,” expressed Johnny O’Connell. “Their hard work, their dedication, it’s everything. Great work by everybody this season, and it was ultimately bad luck for Jason Daskalos today. He’s such a great competitor and hopefully we get to do it again next year. I really enjoy racing here. I’m 62 years old and I’ve got another championship. A lot of guys might retire then, but I ain’t ready, so we’re going to keep digging! Thank all the fans out there that have been following me and supporting me for so long.” 

GT4 Class

It was yet another picture perfect weekend for champion elect Isaac Sherman in the No. 098 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. After starting from pole position in the GT4 class, he began to break away from the rest of the field from the get-go. He led from start to finish, sweeping the weekend at the Brickyard, and picking up his 13th win to conclude a stellar debut season. 

Coming back from a tough Race 1 on Friday, it was redemption time for Gray Newell. The young Heart of Racing Team driver ran steadily in second place aboard his No. 25 Aston Martin Vantage GT4. Behind, Damir Hot, commanding the No. 5 Flying Lizard Motorsports Nissan Z NISMO GT4, was defending third place from Nicholas Shanny, who was commanding the No. 21 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M4 GT4. 

With 12 minutes remaining in the race, Tim Savage, in his No. 007 ProSport Competition Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, overtook Shanny for fourth place. 

“This season means everything to me,” said Isaac Sherman. “I couldn’t have asked for a better season and a better team. Rotek Racing and Porsche have been amazing. It’s been an absolute dream, honestly. So thank you so much to everyone!”

The 2024 Season

To revisit the action from over the course of the season, SRO’s free livestreams are available on YouTube (GTWorld) and Twitch (SROMotorsports).