Stevenson Motorsports delivered another podium performance this weekend, scoring a third-place finish at Road America in Round 9 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The result not only added to the team record of success with the Audi R8 LMS, but it also moved Stevenson Motorsports into third in the provisional championship standings.
A top-five qualifying effort saw starting driver Andrew Davis open the race in the front half of the GTD field for the start of the two-hour and 40 minute IMSA Continental Tire Road Race Showcase at Road America.
Davis handled the No. Stevenson Motorsports Audi R8 LMS with care as he navigated the 4-mile circuit through the hectic opening laps of the race. Davis posted lap times which were consistent with the leaders, allowing him to move into third before handing driving duties over to teammate Lawson Aschenbach on Lap 26.
A great pit stop by the Stevenson Motorsports crew enabled Aschenbach to return to racing in fifth with 110 minutes remaining.
Aschenbach laid down laps sixth-tenths faster than the trio of cars in front of him which assisted his hunt for the front of the field. Aschenbach made his way to the lead on Lap 51 when the second full course caution of the race was displayed, forcing Aschenbach to conserve fuel while under yellow.
A well-executed stop for fuel and tires got Aschenbach back out on track in third. Aschenbach kept a competitive pace throughout the remaining 40-minutes as he crossed the finish line in third for another Stevenson Motorsports podium result.
Not only did Team Strategist, Mike Johnson, help the team earn another podium finish, but the Road America race marked the 300th IMSA race for him, who has served as a team owner, driver and team strategist/manager throughout his 17 years participating in the series.
“It is such a great feeling to have my 300th race also be a podium finish,” said Johnson. “Our overall performance was really good and we were all very happy. The best thing is, that while we’ve been doing this all season, we haven’t had a run of good results to show for it. Now we have three or four great runs in a row and we are right there in the fight and are third in points.”
Round 10 of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition will return on August 25-27 at VIRginia International Raceway.
Driver Quotes:
Andrew Davis: “I am really happy for the Stevenson Motorsports team. They have been working really hard all weekend as always. It was great to get our second podium of the year and it was a really strong effort by everyone. We really didn’t have the quickest car out there but our team did a really great job in the pits and strategy worked out in our favor. Lawson (Aschenbach) drove a great run in the end. We are just clawing away at it and trying to keep this momentum moving forward.”
Lawson Aschenbach: “It was a tough race and there really wasn’t much passing going on unless someone made a mistake. I am really pleased with third for this weekend and it gives us some added confidence that is always helpful. I had quite a bit of understeer so I couldn’t attack people going into the Carousel like I wanted to. We have really continued this momentum that we have had over the last couple of races. Hopefully we can do two better in VIR.”
In Memory of Charles Brown
Charles Brown, Parts Manager at Stevenson Toyota Collision Center, died Friday when the driver of an automobile pulled out in front of him on his motorcycle. Charles worked for Stevenson Automotive for almost seven years and had many co-workers who called him “friend”. Charles leaves behind a wife, Christy Brown, and two small girls under 3 years old. Funeral arrangements are not yet known.
