GMG Racing strengthened its 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America Powered by AWS Pro-Am title challenge as Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent claimed third place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Washington and Sargent guided the #32 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo through a demanding three-hour race that featured rain, heat and several interruptions. Their result marked a third podium from the opening three races of the season and extended their championship advantage before the mid-season break.
The pair arrived at Road Atlanta with a seven-point lead in the Pro-Am drivers’ standings after victories at Sonoma Raceway and Sebring International Raceway. They left the 2.254-mile circuit with a season-high 12-point advantage, while the #32 crew also maintained GMG Racing’s lead in the teams’ championship.
GMG Racing protects five championship leads
GMG Racing entered SRO America’s first Road Atlanta event in 11 years leading five championships across three series. The team maintained or extended each advantage during a successful weekend in Georgia.
The result continued a strong opening half of the 2026 season for the California-based operation. GMG Racing began the campaign with an overall victory and has consistently converted its pace into podium finishes across multiple categories.
Team founder and principal James Sofronas credited the organisation’s preparation and the commitment of its drivers, engineers and crew for the results.
“The effort and drive from everybody at GMG Racing has been non-stop from the beginning of the year and months before the first race weekend of the season at Sonoma in March,” said GMG Racing Founder and Principal James Sofronas. “The preparation back at our headquarters operation at The Thermal Club, and the incredible commitment from our great drivers and amazing crew and engineers, is incredible. I am not surprised, honestly, to be in the position that we are at the mid-year break, and I have no doubts this amazing effort and focused discipline from all on the GMG Racing team will continue all season.”
Washington manages heat during opening stint
Washington started the #32 Porsche and faced difficult conditions during the opening phase of the race. High temperatures and humidity placed additional strain on the drivers, while rain before the start created a changing track surface.
The longtime GMG Racing driver had also competed in the weekend’s GT America sprint races and suffered from the heat during that programme. As a result, the team focused on helping him complete his required stint before handing the car to Sargent.
A late caution during Washington’s run provided relief and allowed the #32 to remain firmly in podium contention.
“I overheated in the GT America race and we were just hoping to get my stint done in the endurance race,” Washington said. “So, with the team’s help and Tom’s driving, we were thrilled to make it to third on the podium. Rain before the main race cooled things down, but what really helped my stint was the caution near the end. With 20 minutes to go it was, well, a nice caution for me but not the two poor guys involved, but it really helped me with the heat.”
Washington once again delivered a strong opening stint and gave Sargent the opportunity to fight for a leading position during the closing stages.
Sargent pressures rival to the chequered flag
Sargent took control of the Porsche for the final phase and closed on the second-placed Pro-Am competitor. He continued applying pressure until the chequered flag but ultimately brought the #32 home in third.
Although the pair missed out on a third consecutive victory, Sargent focused on the wider championship picture. GMG Racing had never raced at Road Atlanta before, while Sonoma and Sebring had traditionally presented difficult challenges for the team.
The opening three rounds therefore produced stronger results than Sargent had expected, giving the crew a valuable points advantage before the second half of the campaign.
“We had never been to Road Atlanta before, and Sonoma and Sebring have generally been our worst rounds, so it’s nice to check those three rounds off with huge success,” Sargent said.
“Coming up, we are very fast when we go to Road America and even faster when we go to Barber Motorsports Park. It is kind of exciting knowing they are the next two rounds coming up after the big break, and obviously the end of the year at Indianapolis is always great. Still, a fair amount of rounds to go, and Indy is double points, but it is a good position to be in for sure, and a good thing for Kyle to see and be a main part of the great results. Two full years in the series now, going in our third year, and to see the results after the time, effort and money that has been put into it come back with this kind of performance makes everyone see the value and just push a little bit harder.”
Consistency strengthens GMG Racing title bid
Washington and Sargent have built their championship lead through consistency as well as outright pace. Their two victories and one third-place finish give them an unbeaten podium record after the first three races.
The Road Atlanta result also showed the crew’s ability to adapt. Washington managed the physical demands of the opening stint, while Sargent maintained pressure during the closing stages without risking the points already within reach.
That approach increased their advantage from seven to 12 points and placed the team in a strong position heading into a break of more than two months.
However, Sargent acknowledged that the championship remains open. Several rounds remain, while the season finale at Indianapolis offers double points and could create a significant swing in the standings.
Road America begins second half of campaign
GMG Racing will return to SRO America competition at Road America from 28-30 August.
The Elkhart Lake circuit begins a stretch that also includes Barber Motorsports Park and the Indianapolis finale. Sargent expects the Porsche to perform strongly at the next two venues, giving the team confidence as it prepares to defend its lead.
GMG Racing reached the halfway point of the season with momentum across its programmes and a larger advantage in GT World Challenge America Pro-Am. Washington and Sargent now have a strong foundation, but the team must maintain the same preparation and consistency when racing resumes.
The #32 crew did not secure victory at Road Atlanta, yet its third consecutive podium delivered exactly what a championship campaign requires: valuable points, a protected lead and another clean result before the decisive second half of the season.
