Wright Motorsports Keeps Pro-Am Championship Fight Alive at Barber
Wright Motorsports continued its fight for the GT World Challenge America Pro-Am championship this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, with the No. 31 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Dave Musial Jr. and Ryan Yardley finishing a challenging Round 6 just six points shy of the championship lead heading into the season finale.
Starting 11th overall and seventh in class, Musial Jr. made early progress in the opening stages, gaining a couple of positions as two other Pro-Am competitors made contact.
The race’s first full-course caution came approximately 35 minutes into the event, bringing the field back together. Racing resumed with two hours and 20 minutes remaining, but another full-course caution shortly before the two-hour-to-go mark created another challenge for the No. 31 Porsche. Musial Jr. was forced to slow dramatically when an out-of-class competitor spun and came to a stop on the racing line.
Yardley took over the Porsche just before the halfway mark, returning to the track ninth in class. With the championship fight firmly in mind, Yardley methodically worked his way forward during his stint, gaining two positions as competitors ahead had mishaps.
At the checkered flag, the No. 31 Porsche had kept itself firmly in championship contention. With the result, Musial Jr. and Yardley head to the final round of the season just six points behind the Pro-Am championship leaders.
“We had to stay patient today and make the most of every opportunity that came our way,” said Dave Musial Jr. “There were a few moments where we could have lost a lot of ground, so bringing the car home and keeping ourselves in the championship fight was important. Ryan did a great job in the second half of the race, and now we’re only six points out heading into the finale at Indy.”
“Tough day at Barber but I’m super proud of Dave and the whole team at Wright Motorsports for digging deep,” added Ryan Yardley. “We got some valuable points, and now go to Indy in a position to fight for a championship. I’m looking forward to the 8 Hour and the battle that awaits.”
The championship will be decided at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, scheduled for October 8–10. The season finale will award double points, and Musial Jr. and Yardley will be joined by Porsche factory driver Laurin Heinrich, who has already stood atop the podium at the Indianapolis 8 Hour with Wright Motorsports, winning the event with the team in 2024.
The Wright Motorsports No. 242 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Therese Lahlouh and Thomas Merrill was withdrawn from the Barber Motorsports Park event following a decision from the drivers and team to focus on Lahlouh’s health and recovery following an acute illness and allergic reaction.
The pair will now turn their attention toward the season finale at Indianapolis, where they will be joined by Porsche factory driver Kevin Estre. Lahlouh and Merrill are focused on returning to competition stronger and closing out the season with a good result at the Indianapolis 8 Hour.
