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Challenges For Acura Gradient Racing At Virginia International Raceway
The #66 Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 faced challenges at VIRginia International Raceway. Starting 11th, Sheena Monk advanced the car before Stevan McAleer took over. Unfortunately, contact with another vehicle caused suspension damage, halting their progress.
Despite the setback, the team repaired the car and rejoined the race. Their efforts were crucial in securing points for the season-long Bob Akin Award for Bronze-rated drivers. The #66 finished 13th after a mechanical failure sidelined their main competitor, the #70 car.
The Michelin GT Challenge saw the #66 Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 finish 13th in the GTD class. Stevan McAleer and Sheena Monk piloted the car through a challenging race day.
Sheena Monk expressed satisfaction with their car's performance, stating, "Our car showed decent pace... I felt like I drove a pretty good race." She handed over to Stevan McAleer, who continued to push until an incident with a Porsche caused significant damage.
Stevan McAleer shared his disappointment: "I'm bummed for Gradient... We struggled a little bit in traffic." He highlighted that despite being 11 laps down, they managed to gain points due to their competitor's misfortune.
The two-hour, 40-minute Michelin GT Challenge was part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This event focused solely on the GTD Pro and GTD classes.
Upcoming Events
The next event is scheduled for September 20-22 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship field will compete in the Tirerack.com Battle on the Bricks.
Gradient Racing's #66 Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 is part of Acura's full-season IMSA GTD effort for 2024. The driver lineup includes Stevan McAleer and Sheena Monk, who have shown strong performances this season.
Earlier this month, they secured third place at Road America and achieved fourth place at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in April.
Quotes from Drivers
Sheena Monk reflected on their race: "I thought we were in a position to fight... But he had some seriously unnecessary contact with a Porsche." Despite setbacks, she praised her team's efforts to get back on track.
Stevan McAleer added: "Small reward at the end... we just got out in the nick of time to leapfrog the #70." He acknowledged their small victory but remained focused on gaining points for future races.
The Gradient Racing team remains committed to improving their performance as they prepare for upcoming events. Their resilience and determination are evident as they continue to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
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