Blackdog Speed Shop’s Lawson Aschenbach posted his second straight runner-up finish Saturday to wrap up the opening weekend of the Pirelli World Challenge GTS season.
Aschenbach, driving the No. 10 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, and teammate Tony Gaples combined for a solid start to the team’s first year with Chevrolet’s new GT4 contender.
Gaples, in the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevy Camaro GT4.R, posted a seventh-place finish in class – also mirroring his result in Race 1 a day earlier. Both drivers weathered contact in the race’s opening half.
Aschenbach took the lead from the standing start and led the first three laps before settling into second place. Following a restart from a full-course caution with 25 minutes left, Aschenbach was hit from behind by another competitor going into Turn One. The contact damaged the rear bodywork of the No. 10 Camaro GT4.R.
“Two second-place finishes with a brand new car is a great accomplishment,” Aschenbach said. “I’m proud of everyone at Blackdog Speed Shop for the effort they gave. We came into the weekend with a few unknowns but for the most part, the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R had a flawless run. I could have done without the avoidable contact from behind on the first restart. Thankfully it didn’t ruin our race. We were flat-out but just didn’t have enough. Having said that, I’ll take two podiums and the points! Thanks to everyone at Team Chevy, Pratt & Miller and Blackdog Speed Shop. This is a very solid start to the Camaro GT4.R program.”
Gaples, who started from the fifth row, was jostled around at the start going into the first turn but came away unscathed. His run to the finish capped a remarkably consistent weekend.
“That was a bit of a hectic start but overall today’s race was pretty smooth,” Gaples said. “It’s good to come away with these results and good points to start the season, especially with a brand new car. We’ve learned a lot about these Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro GT4.Rs this weekend. The performance and consistency have been great right out of the box. I’m really confident in the potential we have to contend for the GTS championship again. There’s some time for us to do a deep dive into the Camaro GT4.R before the next race. I’m already looking forward to the challenge.”
