- JMF Motorsports, Toyota, Wins
- Ricca Autosport rounds off the podium
- Race 1 Results
TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School kicked off its first race of the weekend at VIRginia International Raceway with another reminder that summer in Virginia can be as unpredictable as it is unforgiving. Following the cancellation of Thursday’s qualifying session due to severe thunderstorms in the area, Race 1 was staged under ever-changing skies, delivering a challenging and drama-filled contest with no shortage of action.
Despite the weather setbacks, it was Jonathan Neudorf in the No. 4 JMF Motorsports Toyota GR Corolla TC who held his nerve and converted his front-row start into a well-earned maiden victory. Neudorf launched cleanly off the starting line and immediately set to work building a gap from the chasing pack, undeterred by dark clouds and slippery conditions that loomed over the circuit.
Behind him, chaos unfolded in the opening laps as Jeff Ricca went off track in his No. 78 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO, forcing him into a recovery drive from the rear. Further drama ensued when Antonio Costantino in the No. 3 JMF Motorsports entry also found himself off course, testing both car control and composure in the worsening conditions.
As light rain began to fall midway through the race, the battle for the podium intensified. A fierce duel developed between Ricca Autosport teammates Eric Kunz (No. 77) and Andre Castro (No. 74), with Castro eventually muscling his way into second place with just over 16 minutes remaining.
Despite a handful of off-track moments, the full race ran without a single caution, keeping the pressure high from start to finish. Ricca, showing exceptional pace after his early off, clawed his way back through the field and reclaimed third place in the closing laps. Though he set the fastest lap of the race in the process, he ran out of time to challenge Castro for second.
At the checkered flag, it was Neudorf celebrating his first career TC America win, followed by Castro in second and Ricca completing the podium.
“ It feels amazing to get this first win for Toyota in this series,” said Jonathan Neudorf at the podium celebrations. “We’ve kind of been the underdog all year, but with a good qualifying and these mixed conditions, I really felt like it was our time to shine. When I saw the rain start coming down, I just started smiling, I knew this was my chance to pull a gap and then maintain it. It was tough, but I just hung on at the end and got the win for JMF Motorsports and John Farrow.”
Let’s Get Racing
The TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School field will return to the track for Race 1 on Friday, July 18th at 3:25 PM ET.
If you can’t make it to VIRginia International Raceway, be sure to tune-in to SRO’s free live streams all weekend long on YouTube (GTWorld) and Twitch (SROMotorsports) and follow all the action through our social media channels and the event hashtag #GTVIR.