UPDATED: 10-11-2020
Overcoming incredible odds due to the weather, Antonio Garcia and the #3 Corvette C8.R celebrate a win at the Motul Petite Le Mans
It’s truly amazing to see how successful the all new Corvette C8.R race car is this season compared to the shortfalls the Corvette Racing team faced with the Corvette C7.R the last few years.
The weather was anything but desirable tonight at the Charlotte Motor Speedway as heavy rain and downpours pummeled the track all day.
After a weather delay due to heavy rain, the IMSA WeatherTech
During the race, you could see both Corvette C8.R race cars fighting for grip as the rear-end of both kept trying to slide out going through the chicane.
The rain gradually subsided and the Corvette Racing team’s major concern turned to whether or not the Michelin rain tires could hold out for the entire race.
Everything got interesting as Antonio Garcia in the #3 C8.R, made his move, and overcame the leading BMW to take back the #1 position.
However, things did not go so well for Tommy Milner in the #4 Corvette C8.R.
Leading in fourth position for most of the race, something appeared to let go on the #4 C8.R as Tommy lost control of the Corvette hitting the side wall and sliding down near the center of the track.
Luckily, Tommy walked away uninjured, but the #4 Corvette C8.R was taken off the track on the top of flatbed due to severe body damage to one quarter of the car.
For Antonio Garcia, once he passed the BMW, he never looked back as he took the checkered flag for the win!
Congratulations to Antonio Garcia and the Corvette Racing Team!
CORVETTE RACING AT CHARLOTTE: Race-Winner Quotes
October 11, 2020 | Randall Shin
Corvette Racing
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2020) – Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor won another round in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on Saturday with a victory in their No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.
Garcia passed John Edwards for the lead with 21 minutes left and held on despite a late-race caution. The duo extended their GTLM Drivers’ Championship lead to 24 points over their Corvette Racing teammates Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin, who finished fourth in the No. 4 Corvette C8.R. Chevrolet also saw its lead grow in the Manufacturers standings to 14 points.
ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – RACE WINNER: “It was very stressful right away. The BMWs were really fast when there was a ton of standing water. But the C8.R ran again perfectly in the end. I got up to the 24 and he started to lose pace. We gained some time and I saw my chance. He was struggling with tires, but so was I. I stayed calm and knew the section at Turn Five, Six and Seven was going to be my chance. As soon as he made a little mistake, I went for it, kept my head down and it’s another victory for Corvette Racing.”
JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “It wasn’t easy. It was the same for everyone in that situation. For us leading the championship, it was all about minimal risk at that point. You weren’t going to win the race in those 20 or 30 minutes. It’s all going to be about survival, handing off the car to Antonio and waiting for it to dry out. Thankfully it did, the track conditions came to our Corvette, and Antonio never put a foot wrong to bring home another win. It’s an amazing year for the new C8.R and we’re going to Petit Le Mans with some nice momentum. Six wins for a brand new car, no one would have ever expected this. Hats off to Corvette Racing. I’m sorry to see what happened to the No. 4 car, but I was glad to see Tommy get out.”