Tripleheader Set at VIRginia International Raceway with CTMP Race 2 Added to Schedule
By Tony DiZinno
Entry List (VIR)
Entry List (CTMP Makeup)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The late Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks’ famous quote of “let’s play two” is accurate for every IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge race weekend, as two 45-minute races are the norm. However, “Mr. Cub’s” quote will need to be modified for the series’ trip to VIRginia International Raceway this weekend.
While “let’s play two” is still true, the usual doubleheader expands to a tripleheader at VIR after Race 2 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in July was first delayed due to weather, then postponed, following a careful evaluation of team logistics – including international travel and border-crossing requirements.
IMSA officials have worked to integrate the third race into a revised weekend schedule, of which the VP Racing Challenge is the only one of five IMSA-sanctioned series racing featuring prototype action on the Michelin GT Challenge event program.
With the new schedule, the third race of the weekend – the CTMP Race 2 postponement – has been added to Sunday at 9:35 a.m. ET. The two VP Racing Challenge races originally set for VIR take place Friday at 4:55 p.m. and Saturday at 12:25 p.m.
In Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3), Valentino Catalano (No. 30 Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsports Duqueine D08) leads Brian Thienes (No. 77 Forte Racing Ligier JS P320) by 240 points (2,260 to 2,020). Catalano will have a new teammate this weekend with Swedish driver Alexzander Kristiansson in the No. 31 Gebhardt Duqueine.
The Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX) remains the closest championship battle. Adam Adelson in his No. 24 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) leads AJ Muss in the No. 66 Af Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 by just 20 points (2,220 to 2,200). However, with Muss absent from the entry list this weekend, four-time GTDX winner Jake Walker may continue making inroads.
After trailing Adelson by 480 points after barely getting to race at Daytona – a wreck during qualifying caused enough damage to the No. 6 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 that Walker was unable to start Race 1 and had to retire after completing just four laps in Race 2 – Walker has closed 180 points with four wins in the last five races. At 300 points behind, two or three more wins this weekend could enhance his chance at the season finale weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Grand Sport X (GSX) remains the domain of RAFA Racing, with Kiko Porto scoring his fifth win in seven races in the No. 8 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 at CTMP and extending his championship lead to 340 points – nearly a full race win – ahead of second-placed Steven Clemons in BSI Racing’s No. 76 Toyota. Porto’s RAFA teammate Ian Porter (No. 68 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2) sits third, 40 behind Clemons.
Bronze Cup leaders in two of the three classes hold healthy leads. Thienes has a 900-point gap in P3 and Samantha Tan (No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3) leads by 190 in GTDX. In GSX, Porter leads by 40 points ahead of Chris Walsh (No. 22 TWOth Autosport Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS).
VP Racing Challenge teams will practice and qualify Friday before their first race later Friday afternoon. Streaming coverage airs via NBC Sports’ Peacock in the U.S. and on IMSA.TV and IMSA’s Official YouTube channel outside the U.S.
Fast Facts
IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
VIRginia International Raceway – Alton, Virginia
August 22-24, 2025
Race Days/Times: Friday, Aug. 22, 4:55 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 23, 12:25 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, 9:35 a.m.
Peacock Streaming Coverage: LIVE – Flag-to-flag beginning at 4:50 p.m. Friday, 12:20 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday (available outside the U.S. on IMSA.tv and IMSA’s Official YouTube channel)
Circuit Type: 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course
Classes Competing: Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3), Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX), Grand Sport X (GSX)
Race Lengths: 45 minutes
VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Track Records
- P3: Jagger Jones, Duqueine D08, 1:41.198 / 116.326 mph, August 2024 (Qualifying)
- GSX: Luca Mars, Ford Mustang GT4, 1:53.143 / 104.045 mph, August 2024 (Qualifying)
2024 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Race 1 Winners:
- P3: Jagger Jones, No. 87 FastMD Racing with Remstar Duqueine D08
- GSX: Luca Mars, No. 59 KOHR Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4
2024 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Race 2 Winners:
- P3: Jagger Jones, No. 87 FastMD Racing with Remstar Duqueine D08
- GSX: Luca Mars, No. 59 KOHR Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4