GMG Racing’s Kyle Washington, Riccardo Pera and Ayhancan Güven have reflected on their historic triumph at the 2026 DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour, where the trio secured overall victory and the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America Pro-Am Championship.
The #32 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo finished a record 56.209 seconds ahead of Archangel Motorsports’ McLaren, becoming the first Pro-Am entry to win the Indianapolis 8 Hour outright in the event’s seven-year history. The result also secured Washington his first GTWC America Drivers’ Championship and delivered the corresponding Teams’ title to GMG Racing.
Their victory followed a carefully executed alternative strategy, which allowed Washington to complete his required driving time early before Pera and Güven took charge during the remaining stints. The result also helped Porsche secure its fourth Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) Manufacturers’ Championship, completing a remarkable weekend for the German marque.
GMG Racing arrives at Indianapolis chasing Pro-Am title
GMG Racing entered the Indianapolis finale leading the GTWC America Pro-Am standings, with Washington and regular teammate Tom Sargent holding a narrow advantage over their closest rivals.
The pair had enjoyed a successful 2026 campaign, securing two victories and several podium finishes before the final round. However, Sargent was unavailable for Indianapolis because of a clashing European Le Mans Series commitment, prompting the team to recruit Pera and Güven.
Both drivers brought considerable Porsche GT3 experience to the line-up, with Güven entering the weekend as the reigning DTM Champion. Their arrival provided GMG with a competitive combination capable of challenging for a strong result, although securing Washington’s Championship remained the priority.
The team demonstrated its potential during the opening test sessions, with Güven setting the fastest time in both Indianapolis tests. The Turkish driver improved from a 1:24.333 in the first session to a 1:23.655 in the second, establishing GMG as one of the leading contenders ahead of qualifying.
However, the team still faced the challenge of translating its early pace into a successful eight-hour race.
Güven narrowly misses pole before technical setback
GMG continued its competitive form during Friday’s qualifying sessions, with Washington, Pera and Güven securing a place among the ten fastest crews progressing into Superpole.
Güven subsequently delivered a 1:22.807 in the decisive shootout, initially placing the #32 Porsche second overall and securing Pro-Am pole. His lap was just 0.002 seconds slower than Robby Foley’s benchmark of 1:22.805 in the #29 Turner Motorsport BMW.
The exceptionally close Superpole battle demonstrated GMG’s outright speed, particularly given the number of factory-supported Pro entries competing for the leading positions.
However, the team’s promising qualifying result was subsequently overturned following post-session technical checks. The Porsche failed the minimum ground-clearance requirements, resulting in its Superpole time being deleted.
The technical infringement and resulting grid reshuffle denied GMG its front-row starting position, complicating the team’s preparations for Saturday’s race.
Despite the setback, the Porsche’s qualifying pace suggested that it remained capable of challenging the leading competitors once the eight-hour contest began.
Washington completes crucial opening stints
Washington took the wheel for the opening stages, beginning the race from the midfield following the team’s qualifying penalty.
The American faced a challenging opening period as several Pro and Pro-Am competitors fought for position. Alex Sedgwick initially led aboard the Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3 EVO, while Mercedes-AMG Team JMF Motorsports moved into contention through Michai Stephens.
Rather than attempting to match the leading professional drivers’ outright pace, Washington focused on keeping the Porsche competitive and avoiding incidents.
His approach proved important as several rivals encountered difficulties. The opening stages featured multiple Full Course Cautions, including incidents that eliminated Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing and subsequently affected Dollahite Racing’s challenge.
Washington completed a controlled double stint, fulfilling his mandatory driving time before handing the Porsche to his teammates. Although GMG remained outside the leading positions, the team had preserved its car and remained on the lead lap.
The clean opening period provided Pera and Güven with the opportunity to increase their pace while allowing GMG to consider alternative strategies for the remaining distance.
Alternative strategy transforms GMG’s race
The decisive moment in GMG’s victory came before the halfway mark, when the team committed to an alternative pit-stop strategy.
Rather than following the conventional sequence used by several leading competitors, GMG brought the #32 Porsche into the pits approximately 20 minutes before reaching its maximum permitted stint length. The decision positioned the car to complete its remaining stops at favourable intervals before the chequered flag.
The strategy initially made the Porsche appear out of sequence with the leading cars. However, the team had calculated that uninterrupted running could allow it to gain a substantial advantage as the competing pit-stop cycles converged.
The official IGTC account of the Indianapolis victory highlighted the significance of the decision, particularly as the final five hours and 39 minutes ran without another caution period.
With Washington’s minimum driving time already completed, GMG could leave the remaining stints to Pera and Güven.
The pair maintained consistent pace while the team executed its planned stops, gradually bringing the Porsche into contention for the overall lead.
Pera helps GMG move towards overall victory
Pera played an important role in GMG’s recovery, taking over after Washington’s opening stints and helping move the Porsche through the field.
The Italian was making his first competitive appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but he quickly adapted to the demands of the road course. His pace proved particularly valuable as GMG attempted to capitalise on its alternative strategy.
During the middle stages, Pera helped the team close the gap to several leading Pro entries while keeping the Porsche clear of incidents. He also recorded the fastest lap of the race, reinforcing the strength of GMG’s performance.
The team’s progress became increasingly apparent as the different pit-stop strategies converged. While some rivals briefly held the overall lead, GMG’s calculations positioned it to emerge ahead during the final stages.
Reflecting on his Indianapolis debut, Pera praised his teammates and the team’s preparation.
“It was my first time here in Indianapolis, and to be honest, being at the top and winning overall is amazing for us. We came here, we had a strong package, and we executed the race very well, and I’m really proud of Ayhancan and Kyle, and also the team did a mega job. I can’t ask for more!”
Güven completes redemption after previous disappointment
For Güven, the Indianapolis victory carried additional significance following a difficult previous appearance with GMG Racing.
The Turkish driver had competed with the team two years earlier while leading the IGTC Drivers’ Championship. However, a challenging race prevented him from securing the result required to capitalise on his strong position.
His return in 2026 provided another opportunity to challenge for success, although the team’s principal objective was to secure Washington’s GTWC America Pro-Am title.
As the race progressed, GMG recognised that its strategy could deliver more than the class victory. Güven and Pera subsequently increased their pace as the team moved towards the overall lead.
Güven reflected on his previous disappointment and the determination to return stronger.
“I came here two years ago with this team as the IGTC leader, but unfortunately we had a really, really bad race. But from that day, we kept saying to ourselves that we would come back stronger. This week, we came here to get the title for Kyle. During the race, Kyle did a really good stint, and we were hopeful that the strategy would pay off, and in the middle of the race we started to see that maybe we could also go for the overall win. From that moment we started to push with Riccardo in the car, and at the end it worked really well.”
GMG Racing secures record-breaking Indianapolis victory
With the team’s strategy unfolding successfully, Güven took charge of the final stint knowing that GMG had established a substantial advantage over its rivals.
The Porsche’s closest challengers remained focused on their own battles as the race approached its conclusion. Archangel Motorsports moved into second overall through Aaron Telitz and Thomas Fleming, while Turner Motorsport and AF Corse USA contested the Pro class lead.
However, neither could threaten GMG, which had established its advantage through a combination of pit-stop timing and consistent pace.
Güven eventually crossed the line after eight hours of racing, securing a historic overall victory for the #32 Porsche.
The final margin of 56.209 seconds established a new Indianapolis 8 Hour record, while GMG became the first Pro-Am crew to defeat the entire field outright.
The result also represented Porsche’s maiden overall victory at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, adding another major achievement to the manufacturer’s international GT3 record.
For GMG, the success marked its first major endurance racing victory and one of the most significant moments in the team’s history.
Washington praises team behind emotional triumph
Although Pera and Güven delivered much of the outright pace, Washington’s contribution during the opening stages played an important role in GMG’s success.
His ability to complete the required driving time without losing substantial ground gave the team the flexibility necessary to implement its alternative strategy.
The American also secured his first GTWC America Drivers’ Championship, completing a successful season that had included victories and podium finishes alongside Sargent.
Following the race, Washington emphasised the importance of the wider GMG operation, highlighting the many individuals responsible for preparing and running the car.
“You know, there’s so many people that are involved in these things. When I got into racing, I didn’t really understand how many parts there are to the program. We’ve got 30-plus people on our team, and everyone has a specific job. If they don’t do it, then the machine falls apart. We always say you have to be good to be lucky, but lucky to be good. I think we were a little bit lucky this season, but man, we were pretty good too. I’m so proud. I just love all these guys and it’s quite emotional, frankly.”
The victory represented the culmination of a season in which Washington and the team consistently challenged near the front, rewarding their efforts with both a Championship and an outright endurance racing victory.
GMG secures GTWC America Pro-Am Drivers’ and Teams’ titles
The Indianapolis result delivered multiple championship honours to GMG Racing, providing a successful conclusion to its 2026 GTWC America campaign.
Washington entered the finale as a leading Pro-Am title contender, having established his Championship position through a successful partnership with Sargent. The pair secured two victories during the season, while podium finishes at other rounds helped maintain their advantage.
Although Sargent could not contest Indianapolis because of his European racing commitments, Pera and Güven provided competitive replacements for the decisive event.
Their victory secured Washington the Pro-Am Drivers’ title and GMG Racing the Teams’ Championship, confirming the outfit’s position at the top of the category after a consistent campaign.
The achievement was particularly significant because the team had entered the finale primarily focused on its domestic Championship ambitions. However, its success against the entire field provided an additional reward.
GMG’s victory also demonstrated how Pro-Am combinations could challenge fully professional crews when effective strategy, strong driving and reliable execution came together over a longer race distance.
Porsche claims fourth IGTC Manufacturers’ Championship
GMG Racing’s overall victory also played an important role in deciding the 2026 IGTC Manufacturers’ Championship.
Porsche entered Indianapolis with a commanding 38-point advantage over Mercedes-AMG following its victory at the Suzuka 1000km, where AO by Absolute Racing secured first place and Absolute Racing completed the podium.
The German manufacturer therefore needed only a relatively modest Indianapolis score to confirm its fourth IGTC title.
However, GMG delivered the maximum 25 points available from its leading entry, while Wright Motorsports added another ten through Laurin Heinrich’s sixth-place finish.
The combined result increased Porsche’s total to 167 points, extending its final advantage over Mercedes-AMG to 55.
The IGTC’s confirmation of Porsche’s fourth Manufacturers’ crown also marked the conclusion of an exceptional run of form for the marque, which secured consecutive victories at Spa-Francorchamps, Suzuka and Indianapolis.
Güven’s victory additionally moved him to fifth in the Drivers’ standings, although that title went to Mercedes-AMG’s Maxime Martin following his fifth-place overall finish with JMF Motorsports.
Indianapolis completes successful season for GMG Racing
The 2026 Indianapolis 8 Hour provided a landmark conclusion to GMG Racing’s GTWC America campaign, combining its domestic championship ambitions with an unexpected overall victory.
Washington, Pera and Güven delivered a complete performance across the eight-hour contest, with each contributing to the team’s success. Washington’s controlled opening stints established the foundation, while Pera and Güven maintained the pace required to capitalise on GMG’s alternative pit-stop strategy.
The victory also underlined the importance of effective teamwork in endurance racing. Although the three drivers played different roles, the team’s success depended on consistently executing its strategy and avoiding the incidents that disrupted several competitors.
The result secured Washington’s first Drivers’ Championship, delivered the Pro-Am Teams’ title to GMG Racing and contributed to Porsche’s fourth IGTC Manufacturers’ crown.
Having entered Indianapolis primarily focused on the Pro-Am Championship, the team ultimately achieved considerably more. Its record-breaking overall victory provided a fitting conclusion to the 2026 season and established a new milestone for Pro-Am competitors at the Indianapolis 8 Hour.
