As the reigning series champions, Black Sheep Racing returned to the track again this weekend at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Grantsville, Utah. Taking on the Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West Presented by Yokohama program, Laura Ely earned a pair of top-five results including a podium finish in race two while Kenton King added an additional top-five finish in difficult and hot conditions.
With Ely competing in the 992 AM class, a solid effort in qualifying saw her earn the fourth fastest lap of the 992 AM class for the first wheel-to-wheel action of the weekend. King, battling in the 992 Pro/Am ranks, clocked the sixth fastest time and would look to move forward once green flag racing ensued.
On a weekend that featured a different format, Friday was reserved for practice and qualifying while the two races took place on Saturday. Race one rolled off the grid just before lunchtime as temperatures crested over the 90F mark. Keeping both their cars clean and out of trouble, it was Ely who earned the team’s highest finish crossing the line fourth in class while King powered through to cross the stripe fifth in the Pro/Am ranks.
A quick turnaround saw the Black Sheep Racing crew go to work as in less than five hours they would be back on track for the second race of the weekend. Looking to improve on their results, Ely was able to celebrate on the podium with an impressive drive to P3 while Kenton was a victim of another driver’s mistake as he bumped into the other car as it crossed in front of him in lapped traffic. The damage caused a leak to one of the radiators and was taken out of the race with ten minutes to go.
“While we always want to win, we need to be proud of three top-five results in Utah,” explained Chris Stiffler, Black Sheep Racing Business Development Manager. “Laura once again proved why she is one of the top Porsche drivers in the country while Kenton battled the tough competition of the Pro/Am class. We also saw the return of the Vezer Family Vineyard partnership and showcased the newest team partner, Salt Pepper Oak.”
With only a few weeks off, Black Sheep Racing will return to competition at the famed Road America venue over the weekend of August 11-13.
Photo Credit: RTD Media