Catalano Dominates VP Challenge Season Opener at Daytona
A thrilling opening to the 2025 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season at Daytona saw three distinct class victories, with Valentino Catalano claiming the overall win in a competitive 45-minute race.
Red race car at Daytona
In the Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3) class, Catalano dominated in the No. 30 Duqueine D08, securing victory by 1.071 seconds after leading most of the 26 laps. Brady Golan finished second in the No. 80 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P320, while teammate Markus Pommer dropped to third after receiving a 10-second penalty for a false start.
Adam Adelson showcased a commanding performance in the debut of the new Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX) class, leading every lap in the No. 24 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992). His impressive 30.236-second margin of victory set a high bar for the new class. AJ Muss and Matias Perez Companc completed the podium in their Ferrari 296 GT3s.
The Grand Sport X (GSX) class provided the day's most dramatic finish. Kiko Porto in the No. 8 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 claimed an unexpected victory when leader Steven Clemons slowed unexpectedly on the final lap. Gregory Liefooghe finished second in the Ford Mustang GT4, with Patrick Wilmot's BMW M4 GT4 completing the podium.
Notable achievements include:
- Mirco Schultis earned top Bronze driver honors in P3
- Dave Musial led the Bronze drivers in GTDX
- Rob Walker emerged as the top Bronze finisher in GSX
The second race of the weekend is scheduled for Sunday at 1:20 p.m. ET, available on Peacock in the U.S. and YouTube.com/IMSAOfficial internationally.
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