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No. 3 Corvette C7.R Takes GTLM Win At COTA

The No. 3 Corvette C7.R has overcome a fire in pre-race practice to win the GTLM class in the IMSA Advanace Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown from Circuit of the Americas.

Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnussen had qualified sixth in class for Saturday’s race. His ascent to the front of the GTLM pack was made easier by a multi-car incident in Turn 1 on the first lap that claimed multiple GTLM cars. The wreck was sparked when the No. 67 Ford GT of Ryan Briscoe got into the rear of the No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTE of Giancarlo Fisichella and spun him, sending him into the side of the No. 4 Corvette C7.R of Tommy Milner. Also damaged was the No. 66 Ford GT of Dirk Mueller and the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR of Wolf Henzler.

Magnussen moved up to third after avoiding contact in the first corner coming together, which put him behind the pole-sitting No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM of John Edwards and the No. 25 sister car of Bill Auberlen. The BMW squad let an almost guaranteed victory fall to the wayside after leading 22 laps, with Edwards incurring a pit-road penalty that put him well behind the No. 3 Corvette. With the two Fords, the No. 4 C7.R and the Ferrari 488 all off the lead lap after taking heavy damage in the first-lap wreck, Magnussen drove his Corvette to a simple victory and gave the Corvette crew its third win in four races so far this year.

“I think it is the perfect way to come back after what happened at Long Beach,” said Magnussen’s co-driver, Antonio Garcia. “It’s a shame the No. 4 car had that contact in turn one., but it’s three wins in a row for Corvette Racing. I think no one expected that, but that is what it takes for those results: Zero mistakes.”

The IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship heads to Detroit next for the Chevrolet Sportscar Classic from Belle Isle Park. Click here for full results from COTA and here for a full schedule for Belle Isle.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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