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GT3 Cup Challenge enters second half of season at Road America

From photo fnish to photogenic Road America, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge point leaders Benitez Jr. and Snow lead the field of Porsche cars into double-header in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Angel Benitez, Jr.

Angel Benitez, Jr.

Richard Sloop

BRASELTON, Ga., (August 6, 2013) - Round 7 of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park included a photo finish between current Platinum Cup leaders Angel Benitez Jr. and Madison Snow, tied with 114 points each. Now the IMSA Development Series heads to Road America located in picturesque Elkhart Lake, Wis. The 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit presents a new challenge for drivers as it is the longest track participants will face this season.

Competition heats up as teams enter the second half of the season with Rounds 9 and 10 at the famous course with a "Kink". Benitez and Snow split victories at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and Benitez has captured four wins this season to Snow's three. After incidents kept Benitez from finishing the third and sixth races of the season, the NGT Motorsport driver has clawed his way back into championship contention. His battle is far from over, however, as Snow aims to continue on his path to the top this season.

Madison Snow
Madison Snow

Photo by: Richard Sloop

"I can't wait for this race," Snow said. "Going into CTMP (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) I thought there would be no way Benitez would be in championship contention but after a crazy race he's right there again with me. Road America has always been a track I have enjoyed and raced well at so I hope I can do it again this year."

At the 2012 Road Race Showcase, Snow had two second-place finishes and EFFORT Racing's Sloan Urry landed on the third step of the podium. Urry, who is not far behind the two leaders in the standings, has tallied 98 points this season. The fight for the Series Championship will only intensify if history repeats itself in Elkhart Lake.

Fourth in the standings is former EFFORT Racing driver Ashley Freiberg, who led the Platinum Cup standings entering Round 7. An incident in qualifications at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park left her sidelined for both races and since then she has parted ways with the team. The 21-year-old driver remains determined to find a ride for the remainder of the season to continue her hunt for the championship.

Head-to-head in the Platinum Cup Masters competition is NGT Motorsport's Craig Duerson and Kasey Kuhlman of Wright Motorsports. Duerson's consistent strong performances this season have helped catapult NGT Motorsport into contention for the team championship. NGT currently sits four points back from the leading EFFORT Racing team.

While Kelly-Moss Motorsports is not currently in contention this year for a team title, the crew has high expectations for Road America. With their shop located just 107 miles from Elkhart Lake, the team refers to it as their home track. Four entries will sport a Kelly-Moss Motorsports wrap this weekend with David Ducote, Paul Barhart Jr., Wayne Ducote and Seth Davidow.

TPC Racing's Michael Levitas has a blistering lead in the Gold Cup standings with 154 points. The Baltimore, Md.-native has tallied five wins and three second-place finishes this season.

The green flag comes out for Race One Saturday, August 10 at 8:40 a.m. CT. Race Two kicks off Sunday, August 11 at 11 a.m. CT for a 45-minute contest.

IMSA

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