Braselton, Ga. (7 September 2020) – Stoner Car Care driver Ben Waddell fought through mechanical issues to finish seventh in the VP Racing Stay Frosty 240 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on Sunday.
Teamed with Jason Rabe and Alex Papadopoulos, Waddell completed the driver lineup for the second endurance event of the IMPC season.
Rabe took the green flag in tenth for the opening stint and moved up the order to seventh. Keeping the No. 47 clean, Rabe handed over the Hyundai to Papadopoulos on Lap 35.
On Lap 73, the No. 47 Hyundai suffered a loss of brake performance halfway into the four-hour race. Papadopoulos brought the car to pit lane where the Forty7 Motorsports crew went to work installing new brake pads. After a 29-minute repair, the Hyundai Veloster was ready to return to the race.
Waddell took over the No. 47 Stoner Car Care Hyundai Veloster N TCR returning to the 2.54-mile circuit under a full course caution on Lap 107. With one-hour remaining on the race clock, Waddell was primed for the restart.
Waddell quickly went to work pushing the Hyundai – setting the team’s fastest lap of the weekend on Lap 108. Waddell utilized the open track running half a second faster than the TCR class leaders.
After 41 laps, Waddell took the checkered flag in seventh – his fifth consecutive top ten finish in IMPC competition.
“It was a hard-fought day in the No. 47 Stoner Car Care Hyundai,” said Waddell. “We had a couple mechanical issues that caused us to go laps down. The Forty7 Motorsports crew were able to get our Hyundai Veloster N TCR back on track. I drove as hard as I possibly could and was able to push hard enough to pick up a position and finish the day in seventh. I hope I have the chance to be back in the car. We have so much potential and the capability to win a race this season – my goal is to be able to be a part of that success.”
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge heads north to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for a doubleheader race weekend September 26-27th.