Blackdog Speed Shop’s Lawson Aschenbach climbed the podium for the third consecutive race in the Pirelli World Challenge’s GTS class with a third-place finish Saturday at Virginia International Raceway.
Aschenbach, driving the No. 10 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, gained valuable points in the early stages of this year’s championship as he goes for a sixth World Challenge Driver’s Championship and third in GTS.
Aschenbach’s result was thanks in large part to teammate Tony Gaples in the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R. Gaples did not race Saturday as the Blackdog Speed Shop crew replaced Aschenbach’s malfunctioning differential with the one out of Gaples’ Camaro.
“It’s never a bad day when you finish on the podium,” Aschenbach said. “This was an intense day for the whole team. We had an issue in qualifying but were lucky to get one lap to set our time. The guys at Blackdog Speed Shop worked hard and quick to get this No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R back out for the race.
“I want to say a big thanks to Tony for agreeing on the move. It’s great that we have such strong support across both our cars at Blackdog Speed Shop.”
The team is optimistic that a new part will arrive for Gaples ahead of Sunday’s race.
“It’s disappointing to miss today’s race but it was the best thing to do for the championship,” Gaples said. “The No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevy Camaro GT4.R felt pretty good in qualifying this morning. We’ll take what we learned from Lawson’s race and hopefully be able to apply it for Sunday.”
Aschenbach began fourth and immediately charged at the start. He briefly held third on the opening lap before settling back into his original starting position. Just past the halfway point of the 50-minute race, his persistence paid off with a strong move into the first turn for third place.
“We kept at it and were strong enough to challenge and eventually move up from the start,” Aschenbach said. “We’re looking forward to doing it again tomorrow… maybe with some good luck and extra points.”
