Washington Completes Competitive Sebring International Raceway Career Debut with Third-Place Masters Class Finish in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup on Friday
SEBRING, Florida (March 19, 2024) – In his career debut at Sebring International Raceway, Kyle Washington capped a race-winning and podium week for GMG Racing with a third-place IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup Masters Class finish Friday in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Building on a top-five result in his first ever race on the legendary 3.74-mile airport road course in Thursday’s opening sprint of the Carrera Cup doubleheader, Washington ran with the leaders from the drop of the green flag in a competitive but hard-fought finale last Friday.
“It was a great start for the season,” Washington said. “I did put it off a couple of times into the dirt tonight but somehow kept it straight. GMG Racing is amazing, we’re working with a lot of the same guys we have been, and we keep refining. I like Sebring, I even like the bumps and feel ready to come back.”
Washington’s podium success followed a Pro-Am class race win by GMG Racing President and Founder and longtime team driver James Sofronas in Thursday’s opening 40-minute race at Sebring. The victory was a third-straight Carrera Cup triumph after Sofronas swept the Pro-Am class in his career Carrera Cup debut in the 2023 season-ending doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
Sofronas was well positioned, starting third on the grid, to build the win streak to four victories in Friday’s finale but was knocked from contention after getting caught up in an opening lap contact incident. He rebounded in the damaged No. 14 to a commendable eighth place Pro-Am finish.
“I’m a little disappointed in my race, but as soon as I heard Kyle was on the podium my mood completely changed,” Sofronas said. “I ran straight down to the podium to congratulate him. I’m just super excited about his result. For someone who has never been to Sebring, never even tested here, I’m am very proud. We came in here trying to maximize his seat time and prepare for the Sebring SRO GT World Challenge race, so for him to come out of here with a third against some really tough competition in Masters is something to be proud of. He’s putting in the extra work and working with Tom Sargent, who he will co-drive with in World Challenge. It’s all paying off. As a team owner and his teammate, I’m mega proud.”
Sofronas had a great start in Friday’s race only to have a competitor on cold tires spin right in front of him just seconds after the green flag flew.
“I checked up and then got walloped in the rear and that sent me off the track,” Sofronas said. “I pretty much went to the back, but the toe was knocked out and then I just survived to the finish.”
Washington has been competing regularly in a variety of single-make Porsche and GT racing series for the last four years, but he also enjoys desert off-road racing. Earlier this month he participated in several events that were part of the famous Mint 400, a dirt extravaganza run in the foothills just outside of Las Vegas known as “The Great American Off-Road Race.”
“Maybe it was the training at the Mint, and all of the Vegas stuff in the dirt that helped, but I actually liked the bumpy Sebring surface,” Washington said. “I felt right at home out there, and I also have a new coach with Tom Sargent. He was one of the fastest guys last year, he’s going to be a great addition and will be with me all year.”
Washington started Friday’s final race eighth on the Masters grid and 36th overall. He improved five class positions and even put several Pro-Am cars in his mirrors as he charged to the class podium result and 25th overall at the checkered flag.
Next up for GMG Racing in IMSA Carrera Cup is another doubleheader weekend at the Grand Prix of Miami Formula 1 race, May 3 – 5, at the Miami International Autodrome. Sofronas and Washington will be joined Carrera Cup debuting driver Ofir Levy for a three-car GMG Racing entry.
About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in Santa Ana, California in Orange County and with a trackside motorsports facility at 28,000 sq. ft. currently being built at The Thermal Club. The staff, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped us support our customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona and Spa, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.
