Corvette Racing Weekly Update: Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

Corvette Racing; Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York; July 1-2, 2017; C7.R #3 driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia: C7.R #4 driven by Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner–Richard Prince/Chevrolet photo.

(Watkins Glen, NY) Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia crossed the line in third in the GT Le Mans class at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on Sunday. The team of Garcia and former Formula One Star, Jan Magnussen, finished just five seconds off the pace to Alexander Simms/Bill Auberlen’s BMW M6 and Richard Westbrook/Ryan Briscoe’s Ford GT. The No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R extended their points lead, and Chevrolet maintained its lead in GTLM Manufacturer’s points. Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner, driving the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, finished fifth at the historic Watkins Glen New York road course.

Corvette Racing; Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York; July 1-2, 2017; C7.R #3 driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia: C7.R #4 driven by Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner–Richard Prince/Chevrolet photo.

“This was another classic Corvette race,” explained Garcia. “We were kind of struggling the whole race… a little bit like qualifying – very close on pace but very far in position. At the end, things paid off. I had a big mistake in the beginning which put us all the way in the back but that let us try a few things toward the end that paid off. We got a few things out of our mind so we could focus on the last four hours to get ready for that.”

Garcia, Magnussen and the rest of the No. 3 Corvette team worked their way back from an early spin in hopes of Corvette Racing’s fourth consecutive win in GTLM competition. Garcia and Magnussen took the lead for the first time with less than two hours to go. The No. 3 Corvette led twice despite lacking the outright pace of the other GTLM runners.

Corvette Racing; Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York; July 1-2, 2017; C7.R #3 driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia: C7.R #4 driven by Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner–Richard Prince/Chevrolet photo.

Nevertheless, Garcia and Magnussen were in position to sneak away with another victory before the last of five full-course caution periods with 35 minutes remaining.

“We weren’t quite fast enough,” Magnussen lamented. “We’re not that far off but we are lacking just that little bit. The Corvette was nice and consistent. My stint was very tough and long. The goal was to stay out of trouble and see if anything happened at the end where we could take advantage.”

Corvette Racing; Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York; July 1-2, 2017; C7.R #3 driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia: C7.R #4 driven by Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner–Richard Prince/Chevrolet photo.

Gavin and Milner led in the No. 4 Corvette at the midway point and gave Corvette Racing a pair of top-five finishes.  More importantly, the No. 4 team led at the three-hour mark to claim maximum points in the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup – a competition in the WeatherTech Championship’s four long-distance races.

“We’ve never been the fastest car – most times we have had one of the slowest cars – but were it not for a late-race yellow we had victory in our grasp,” said Doug Fehan, Corvette Racing Program Manager. “That’s due to great pit stops, tremendous engineering strategy and the drivers continuing to deliver premium performances. That’s what Corvette Racing is about, and that’s why we continue to lead the GTLM championship.”

Richard Prince/Chevrolet photo.

Corvette Racing immediately heads to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the The Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, Sunday, July 9. FOX Sports 1 will air the race live starting at noon with live audio coverage from IMSA Radio and a Corvette Racing In-Car feed available on IMSA.com.

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About the author

Tom Stahler

At eight months of age, Tom Stahler sat in a baby stroller in Thunder Valley and watched Chuck Parsons and Skip Scott win the 1968 Road America 500. He has had the car bug ever since. He has won several awards, including the Motor Press Guild’s Dean Batchelor Award and the International Motor Press Association's Gold Medal for his writing and photography. When not chasing the next story, Tom drives in vintage road racing events.
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