Wright Motorsports opened its 2026 SRO America campaign in impressive fashion at Sonoma Raceway, securing multiple podium finishes across categories. Wright Motorsports delivered a standout performance in GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS, while also achieving success in GT America.
Dave Musial Jr. and Ryan Yardley led the charge with a Pro-Am podium in the three-hour endurance race. Meanwhile, Therese Lahlouh and Thomas Merrill secured a top-five finish, and Dave Musial Sr. added a third-place result in GT America.
GTWC America Pro-Am podium for Wright Motorsports caps impressive debut
Dave Musial Jr. and Ryan Yardley made an immediate impact in their Pro-Am debut aboard the No. 31 Porsche 911 GT3 R. From the outset, Musial Jr. positioned the car firmly inside the leading group.
Throughout his stints, he remained locked in a tight battle for the top three, demonstrating consistency and composure under pressure. As the race reached its halfway point, he handed over to Yardley with the team still firmly in podium contention.
Yardley then maintained the momentum during the second half of the race. As strategies unfolded and a penalty affected a rival, the duo capitalised and moved up the order. Ultimately, they secured second place in class and fourth overall, having gained seven positions across the race distance.
“It was a phenomenal way to start the season with Wright Motorsports,” said Musial Jr. “The competition in GT World Challenge America is intense, so to come away with a podium in our debut weekend says a lot about the team and the preparation that went into this program. I felt really comfortable in the car during my stints and focused on keeping us in the fight, which Ryan did an awesome job capitalizing on to bring it home. I’m really proud of what we accomplished and excited to keep building from here at COTA.”
“This was a really awesome first weekend with Wright Motorsports and my debut in GT World Challenge America,” added Yardley. “To come away with a podium in our first weekend together is something to be proud of. Dave Jr. drove an awesome first couple of stints, which really set the rest of the race up for us. I can’t wait for COTA in a few weeks time!”
Second Wright Motorsports duo Lahlouh and Merrill fight back to top five in GTWC America
In the No. 242 Porsche 911 GT3 R, Therese Lahlouh and Thomas Merrill also delivered a strong Pro-Am performance despite adversity. Lahlouh, making her series debut, impressed early by climbing into the top five during her opening stint. She maintained that position throughout the first half of the race, showing confidence and control in a competitive field.
However, a pit lane penalty temporarily set the pair back. Even so, Merrill responded with determination in the closing stages. He engaged in a tightly contested four-car battle and executed a decisive late overtake to reclaim a top-five position.
By the finish, the duo had climbed eight positions overall, underlining their pace and resilience.
“Incredible start to my GT3 career here at Sonoma Raceway,” expressed Lahlouh. “We were so close to a podium finish but unfortunately, a penalty kept us from the result we deserved. My co-driver Thomas had an awesome stint and I’m super proud of a top five thanks to the world class leadership and engineering at Wright Motorsports. We couldn’t be in better hands and we’re looking forward to taking the flight to COTA. Thank you to my sponsors Porsche Motorsport North America, Byers Auto, and Mobil 1.”
“Therese did an awesome job in her first SRO America race,” echoed Merrill. “I’m very proud of her performance and we’re looking forward to building on all the positives from this weekend. Everyone on the Wright Motorsports team did an exceptional job with the car and we came into the race well prepared and executing strongly. This was a good result in spite of the penalty we got during our pit stop, and I know we can strive for even more in Texas next month.”
Musial Sr. secures GT America podium
In GT America, Dave Musial Sr. showcased strong pace across both races in the No. 72 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Although Race 1 presented challenges, he recovered effectively to secure a podium finish on Sunday.
Initially, Musial Sr. ran competitively in Race 1 before an unscheduled pit stop to clear debris dropped him to seventh. Nevertheless, he demonstrated speed by setting the third-fastest lap, which earned him a second-row start for Race 2.
Starting from third, he immediately applied pressure on the cars ahead. Although an early full course caution interrupted the flow, he maintained consistent pace after the restart and remained firmly in contention.
In the closing laps, Musial Sr. delivered a composed defensive drive, successfully holding off challengers to secure third place.
“Overall, it was a really positive weekend for us,” stated Musial Sr. “We had strong pace from the start, and even with the setback in Race 1, we were able to bounce back and put ourselves in a good position for Sunday. The team gave me a great car, and it came down to staying consistent and managing the pressure in those final laps. It feels great to come away with a podium to start the season, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
Momentum builds ahead of COTA
Following a productive and successful opening weekend, Wright Motorsports leaves Sonoma with strong momentum across multiple programmes.
With a Pro-Am podium, a top-five recovery, and a GT America podium already secured, the team has demonstrated both pace and resilience. As the championship heads to Circuit of The Americas on 24–26 April, Wright Motorsports will look to build on this early success and continue its push at the front.
