DXDT Corvette scores a win and 3rd place in double-header at Sebring

Matt Bell in the # 11 Z06 GT3.R Corvette chased down and passed Jeff Burton in the # 91 Mercedes AMG GT3 of the Regulator Racing team to win the first of two 90-minute SRO WC America ProAm races under hot conditions at the punishing 3.74-mile Sebring circuit in Central Florida.

The strategy was for Pro Swiss driver Philip Ellis to build a huge lead over Am driver Blake McDonald before handing off to Am driver Jeff Burton at the very end of the pit window.

Pro driver Matt Bell made up what looked like an unsurmountable 37-second deficit, closed the gap to 2 seconds on lap 38 and passed Burton 2 laps later in turn 10 to win the 44-lap race.  The Corvette benefited from a caution-free race, not to mention better tire-management.

Ross Chouest and Aaron Povoledo in their # 50 Z06 GT3.R Corvette were about a half-second off the pace which when added up put them a lap down and last (8th) in class.

Pro driver Robby Foley in the # 29 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Will Turner’s Racing team started race 2 on Sunday ahead of Matt Bell and led into the pit stop, once again near the end of the pit window to swap drivers and change tires.

Although Am driver Justin Rothberg gained several seconds via a faster pit stop, Blake McDonald caught up during a short caution period and they dueled side-by-side with 25 minutes to go.

But Pro Swiss driver Philip Ellis, (recall from race 1) stormed past McDonald in a wild crossover move on the final lap in turn 3 that dropped the Corvette to 3rd.

Ross Chouest and Aaron Povoledo in their # 50 Z06 GT3.R Corvette were again off pace which put them a lap down and last in class.

Photos courtesy SRO America.