Ford Chip Ganassi Racing just missed the podium on Sunday in the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR, finishing fourth with the No. 66 Ford GT after the No. 67 led from the overall pole.
Driver Dirk Müller drove the No. 66 Ford GT to the checkered flag after co-driver Joey Hand started sixth.
“Today was a day of just getting what we could get to stay in this (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar) championship hunt,” Hand said. “When it came down to race time at the end, we just didn’t have the pace we needed to go race these guys. We tried everything we could on strategy. I think we got a position or two just from that.
“It was a weird weekend. We had a lot of things happen. I’ve said it before, you have to capitalize on opportunity, but you also have to capitalize on scoring points sometimes and that’s what we did today. We’re not out of it. There are two races to go, and this No. 66 car – and the No. 67 – we’re lingering around. We’re going to hang out until the end and at least make sure it’s a good show.”
Richard Westbrook, who shares the No. 67 with Ryan Briscoe, led the entire opening stint of the race, but reported issues with the clutch shortly before pitting for the driver change. Although the No. 67 ultimately retired early, Ford CGR hustled to get the car back on track to make as many laps as they could in a tight championship points battle. They finished seventh.
Ford CGR is now second (No. 67) and third (No. 66) in the championship points standings with two races remaining. Ford maintains its lead in the manufacturers’ standings.
“It was a terrible result for us,” Briscoe said. “After leading the race and looking strong and being really happy with the car all weekend, there’s just a lot of points thrown away right there. It’s disappointing, but the points are still close. We’ve just got to come back strong at the next one at Laguna and keep fighting for the championship.”
The season resumes at Laguna Seca on Sept. 9, 2018.
