Double victory and title clinched by Jr III Racing in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge

The IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge final was held at Road Atlanta on 11-14 October 2023. For the last time this season, the #3 Ligier JS P320 run by Jr III Racing claimed a double victory. In doing so, Bijoy Garg and the team running #3 sealed first place in the championship with panache in its inaugural season.

• The start of race 1 was given on Thursday 12th October. Bijoy Garg in the #3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320 was second on the grid. He managed to overtake the leading car on the first lap and, despite a yellow flag at the end of the race, maintained his advantage until the finishing line. Brian Thienes in the #77 entered by Forte Racing by USRT finished on the third step of the podium.

“I had to defend quite a few times and almost lost the car when the final yellow was called, just defending from Jagger [Jones] (…) I was just constantly having to look in my mirrors and break the tow. It was so stressful out there but I'm so glad we got this.”

• Thanks to this fifth victory on the bounce Jr III Racing and Bijoy Garg secured the 2023 title. It is the first title won by the team created in 2017 by Billy Glavin.

“It feels really good,” Garg said. “I've been working hard for this. I couldn't do it without everyone at Jr III. It's amazing for them, it's their first championship. Every one of the guys has given so much for this this year, and I'm so happy for them.”

• The final race of the season took place on Friday 13th October. When the #3 Ligier JS P320 was in third place, mechanical incidents as well as contact at the front between its rivals allowed the French car to take the lead and it went on to win the race. Bijoy Garg also set the fastest lap in 1m 17.254s.

“ With one lap to go, I saw the yellow flag in turn 6 and I saw Dan [ Goldburg ], said Bijoy Garg . I knew I had to pass him at that point. We had a little contact, but it was just racing, in my opinion and I was able to hold on and get the win.”

And so ended the first season of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge with the championship title going to Jr III Racing. This is the second championship won by the Ligier JS P320 this year (after the Asian Le Mans Series at the start of 2023), but certainly not the last! There still remains the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship which will be run tomorrow, the European Le Mans Series and the Michelin Le Mans Cup whose finals will take place on 20-21-22 October in Portimao, and the Ultimate Cup Series that will end on 12th November on the Le Castellet circuit.

For Race 1 results, CLICK HERE.

For Race 2 results, CLICK HERE.

For the championship results, CLICK HERE.