Tyler Maxson of TOPP Racing scored a pair of dominating wins in the Mobil Pro class at his home track, earning all possible bonus points to grab a 27-point lead in the title hunt. Marco Cirone’s Friday win gives him a 68-point lead over Scott Blind with just 56 points remaining, which locks down the Solairus Aviation Masters Class title one round early. Patrick Mulcahy scored yet another victory in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class at Road Atlanta.
The race brings us to the finale at COTA on the United States Grand Prix weekend, where two classes will be able to ignore points and push for race wins.
Maxson goes wire to wire for home weekend sweep.
Porsche Motorsport North America Junior Driver Tyler Maxson and TOPP Racing earned a win with the No. 77 Porsche 911 Cup on Friday to match Thursday’s victory at the point leader’s home track.
Maxson started on the Race Brew Pole and pulled away at the start to get a jump on the field and then lead all 29 green-flag laps of the 40-minute race. Maxson turned the quickest lap of the race on lap seven for an additional bonus point and crossed the finish line 5.020 seconds in front of Aaron Jeansonne, his nearest championship rival.
“What a weekend,” Maxson said. “TOPP Racing doing what they do best, keeping this car on top. Double pole, double race win, just about everything we could have asked for on this weekend. It was a great points week and it comes down to COTA. Our full focus is there and we feel really, really confident. All thanks goes to the team, these guys do such a great job.”
Kellymoss driver Jeansonne moved from third on the grid to second at the start, following Maxson and moving around second-staring Callum Hedge (JDX Racing). Once clear, Jeansonne ran a lonely race in his No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche 911 Cup, unable to close to Maxson but crossing the finish line more than three seconds ahead of Hedge. Jeansonne’s runner-up finish was his 12th podium of the 14-race season.
With his third-place finish on Friday, Hedge has now landed on the podium nine times in 2026.
Janne Stiak (ACI Motorsports) and Jared Thomas (JTR Motorsports Engineering) swapped positions multiple times in the race, with Stiak finishing fourth and Thomas completing the top five.
Mulcahy wins fourteenth of 2026 season.
Patrick Mulcahy of ACI Motorsports kept his season-long Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class win streak alive with a victory on Friday at Road Atlanta in the No. 54 Porsche 911 Cup.
Mulcahy found himself in the mix with fellow Masters class competitors on Friday at Road Atlanta, giving way to allow them to battle unimpeded late in the race. Mulcahy finished 14th overall.
Cirone clinches Masters title with victory.
Marco Cirone’s win clinched his first Porsche Carrera Cup North America title in the Solairus Aviation Masters class, handing ACI Motorsports their second class title of the 2026 season.
Cirone and his No. 88 Porsche 911 Cup got the jump on his class field and stayed in front. He pressured Mulcahy in a multi-class battle before sneaking past him on lap 13, then gapped his fellow Masters class rivals to win by 1.5 seconds over Rob Walker.
The Toronto-native is a long-time Porsche single-make racer, but the Solairus Pro-Am championship is his first in Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
“The car was totally different from yesterday,” Cirone said. “The ACI team did an incredible change of balance. I put it on high gear and it just did everything I wanted it to. I was able to stay consistent, we were able to stay ahead of the competition, and I’m very grateful for that wonderful car.”
Walker (JTR Motorsports Engineering) stayed second for the entire race, but it wasn’t without pressure.
Ruckus Racing’s Scott Blind, trying to keep his championship hopes alive, was pushing hard to move forward. After staring 21st overall and ninth in class, Blind raced through the Masters field to close to the rear of Walker. Walker held him off, including an off-track moment for Blind when he drove across the grass in the esses before recovering and continuing.
Walker and Blind completed the podium. Richard Edge (ACI Motorsports) finished fourth after a battle with Joel Johnson (JDX Racing) when Johnson was penalized 10 seconds post-race for incident responsibility.
Mobil Pro Class title comes down to COTA once again.
The 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America season will conclude at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, October 23 – 25, as part of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend.
After extending his advantage to 27 points at Road Atlanta, Tyler Maxson heads to the season finale with control of the Mobil Pro championship battle. However, with two races and valuable bonus points still available, Aaron Jeansonne remains within striking distance as the title fight prepares for its final chapter on one of motorsport’s biggest stages for the second season in a row.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
RESULTS.
Race 2
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson, #77
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
- Callum Hedge, #9
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone, #88
- Rob Walker, #53
- Scott Blind, #45
Latest news
Championship implications were front and center as Porsche Carrera Cup North America opened the Petit Le Mans weekend with a hot and demanding race at Road Atlanta. While Tyler Maxson strengthened his Mobil Pro championship position with a dominant victory, several key title contenders refused to give up ground in the closing stages.
Across the three classes, race wins by Maxson, Patrick Mulcahy and Marco Cirone helped shape the championship picture with just three races remaining in the 2026 season. Each leader left Thursday with valuable points, but the battles behind them ensured nothing came easy.
The result sets up a pivotal Race 2 on Friday, when rivals will have another opportunity to gain ground before the championship heads into its final round at Circuit of the Americas.
Maxson delivers perfect points day.
Maxson, the Mobil Pro Class championship leader, did everything he could on Thursday. Beginning with the Race Brew Pole in Thursday morning’s qualifying session, Maxson’s No. 77 TOPP Racing Porsche 911 Cup also turned the quickest lap of the race on his way to an 8.166-second victory.
The win and the bonus points for both the pole position and the fastest race lap maximized the points available to him during the competition.
“What a race!” Maxson said. “It’s a good points day, and that’s what we’re focused on, but we’re never going to complain with a win and definitely not with the gap that we have. Just like normal, all props go to this team. These guys work so hard and it’s been full push to the end of the season. I’m really happy to reward them.”
The victory was even sweeter, as it came at the native Georgian’s home track.
“It’s always fun to win at home,” he said. “I love this race track. Especially in this fashion in front of friends and family.”
That proved valuable based on what was going on behind him.
Janne Stiak (ACI Motorsports) drove his No. 40 Porsche 911 Cup around the outside of the opening turn to move from fourth on the grid to second place, around both Callum Hedge (JDX Racing) and Aaron Jeansonne (Kellymoss).
Stiak began to fade late in the race in the heat of the day and no full course caution periods, with Hedge and then Jeansonne closing in on him. Stiak held off Hedge for several laps, but Jeansonne saw the opportunity with just over five minutes to go and moved around both Hedge and then Stiak on the same lap. Hedge moved his No. 9 Porsche 911 Cup around Stiak just a few corners later as Stiak was assessed a 10-second post-race penalty from race control for blocking.
No one, however, was going to catch Maxson as he crossed the finish line ahead of Jeansonne and Hedge. Jared Thomas (JTR Motorsports Engineering) and Cole Kleck (TOPP Racing) completed the top five, while Stiak’s penalty dropped him to seventh.
Maxson’s point lead over Jeansonne grows to 19 entering Friday afternoon’s race.
ACI Motorsport’s Mulcahy continues Pro-Am streak.
ACI Motorsports driver Patrick Mulcahy once again found himself atop the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class, extending his winning streak to 13 consecutive races.
Already crowned class champion last time out at Indianapolis, Mulcahy continued the form that has defined his 2026 campaign by capturing another class victory at Road Atlanta. Driving his No. 54 Porsche 911 Cup, Mulcahy finished 12th overall.
Cirone fends off late charge for Masters win.
Marco Cirone strengthened his Solairus Aviation Masters championship lead on Thursday, converting the Race Brew Pole into a hard-fought victory at Road Atlanta.
Cirone established control early aboard his No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup, while the battle behind him quickly became one of the closest contests on track. ACI Motorsports teammate Richard Edge settled into second place, with JTR Motorsports Engineering’s Rob Walker and Ruckus Racing driver Scott Blind fighting their way into contention.
Blind’s charge was particularly impressive after the championship contender started from the rear of the field following a technical infraction after qualifying. As the race progressed, he steadily worked his way forward and joined the battle for the podium positions.
His opportunity opened up on lap 16 when Walker attempted to move around Edge for second place. The two drivers ran side by side until Walker dropped a wheel off the racing surface, allowing Blind to slip through into third.
While the fight behind him intensified, Cirone maintained a small but crucial advantage. Edge gradually reduced a nearly two-second deficit during the closing laps and began applying pressure to the race leader while simultaneously defending from the charging Walker and Blind.
Cirone ultimately ran a mistake-free race to the checkered flag, securing a 0.464-second victory. Following post-race review, Edge was assessed a 10-second penalty, promoting Blind to second place and Walker’s No. 53 JTR Motorsports Engineering Porsche 911 Cup to third.
“Wow, that was a very interesting race,” Cirone said. “I believe I had a really good car in the beginning and then, for some reason, I just started slowing down at the end and I saw my competition. These guys are fabulous drivers. They never quit, and they were coming like gangbusters, and I just had to hang on for dear life.”
Blind’s recovery drive from the rear of the field resulted in a runner-up finish and the fastest lap of the class, but Cirone’s victory extended his championship lead to 62 points entering Friday’s Race 2.
Championship fight continues Friday.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns to the track on Friday afternoon for Race 2 of the Petit Le Mans doubleheader. With championship points still at a premium in both the Mobil Pro and Solairus Aviation Masters title fights, competitors will have another opportunity to strengthen their positions when the green flag waves tomorrow at 3:55pm ET.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
RESULTS.
Race 1
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson, #77
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
- Callum Hedge, #9
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone, #88
- Scott Blind, #45
- Rob Walker, #53
Qualifying
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson, #77
- Callum Hedge, #9
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone, #88
- Joel Johnson, #70
- Richard Edge, #18
The penultimate round of the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America season is underway, and Wednesday’s practice sessions at Road Atlanta have a familiar name at the top of the time sheets.
Tyler Maxson led the way in the heat of the day both overall and in the Mobil Pro Class during Practice 2, when the TOPP Racing driver turned a best lap of 1:20.824 in his No. 77 Porsche 911 Cup. That time was just quicker than JTR Motorsports Engineering driver Jared Thomas, who unloaded on Wednesday morning and posted a lap of 1:20.825.
“Overall, it was a good session for us and a good improvement from FP1,” Maxson said.
“I don’t think FP1 was representative of where we actually are, so this was a much better indication.
“Tomorrow morning will be quite different with the cooler temperatures, but I think we have a really good race car, and we’re optimistic heading into the weekend.
“We’ve always felt good here, and the team has always been super fast. This is my home track, so I’ve always felt really confident here. We’re ready to go for the weekend.”
Maxson’s TOPP Racing teammate Cole Kleck, who made his championship debut at this round a season ago, was third in 1:21.171. Aaron Jeansonne (Kellymoss), second in the title fight, was fourth on the day.
Joel Johnson put his JDX Racing Porsche 911 Cup on the top of the Solairus Aviation Masters class. Johnson ran the championship race at Road Atlanta a year ago at Road Atlanta and recently captured the inaugural Porsche Sprint Trophy Porsche Club of America by Yokohama title. Johnson’s lap of 1:22.925 came in the morning session.
“It feels great to be back,” Johnson said. “We’ve been working real hard as a team and with a couple of coaches to get my driving more consistent so I feel like I’m in a zone right now. It’s a lot of hard work, but the car feels awesome.”
Patrick Mulcahy was best in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class once again in his No. 54 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup. Mulcahy’s time of 1:23.466 in the afternoon session was 16th overall.
Drivers are back on the Road Atlanta surface at 9:50am ET on Thursday morning for qualifying, which will set the grid for Thursday afternoon’s race at 5:25pm.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
RESULTS.
Practice 1
Mobil Pro Class:
- Jared Thomas, #96
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
- Callum Hedge, #9
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Joel Johnson, #70
- Rob Walker, #53
- John Goetz, #57
Practice 2
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson, #77
- Cole Kleck, #78
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Joel Johnson, #70
- Scott Blind, #45
- Marco Cirone, #88
Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns to Road Atlanta and Petit Le Mans for round seven of the eight round season. Road Atlanta is a regular on the championship schedule, having made an appearance each season except for 2023. The finale takes place at Circuit of the Americas in support of the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix.
At Indianapolis, Aaron Jeansonne of Kellymoss earned his first victory since the same track a year ago to close the championship gap. Jeansonne trails leader Tyler Maxson (TOPP Racing) by just 11 points overall and in the Mobil Pro Class. Maxson won the first race at Road Atlanta a year ago, but Jeansonne earned a pole and finished second twice, making the match-up essentially even heading into the Petit Le Mans weekend.
Marco Cirone (ACI Motorsports) has a 52-point lead over defending champion Scott Blind (Ruckus Racing) in the Solairus Aviation Masters class. Cirone has 10 class wins in his Carrera Cup career, including one at Indianapolis the last time out, but is trying to secure his first Championship. Patrick Mulcahy (ACI Motorsports) clinched the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am title at Indianapolis.
Two new faces are on the entry list for Road Atlanta. Dan Drohan and Charlie Hayes Racing make their Carrera Cup North America debuts after a full season competing in Porsche Sprint & Endurance Challenge North America. Joel Johnson (JDX Racing) is a Sprint Challenge competitor and the inaugural Porsche Sprint Trophy Porsche Club of America champion. Both will compete in the Solairus Aviation Masters Class at Road Atlanta.
Petit Le Mans fast facts.
Field.
22 Porsche 911 Cup race cars are entered for Round 5 at Road America
- Mobil Pro Class. 11
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class. 1
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class. 10
- Teams. Eight race teams across all three classes
Track record.
1:20.089, 2022, Laurin Heinrich, 311RS Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992.1)
2025 Race winners.
- Mobil Pro Class.
- Race 1, Tyler Maxson, TOPP Racing
- Race 2, Riley Dickinson, Kellymoss
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
- Races 1 & 2, Alan Metni, Kellymoss
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
- Races 1 & 2, Scott Blind, Ruckus Racing
2026 Championship Leaders.
- Mobil Pro Class.
- Tyler Maxson, TOPP Racing
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
- Patrick Mulcahy, ACI Motorsports
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
- Marco Circone, ACI Motorsports
- Rookie.
- Cole Kleck, TOPP Racing
- Team.
- TOPP Racing
Schedule.
All times Eastern
- Wednesday, 30 September.10:55 – 11:25am | Practice 1 3:30 – 4:10pm | Practice 2
- Thursday, 1 October.9:50 – 10:20am | Qualifying 5:25 – 6:05pm | Race 1 (40 minutes)
- Friday, 2 October.3:55 – 4:35pm | Race 2 (40 minutes)
Road Atlanta flashback.
In 2022, a relatively unknown young German arrived for his first race in the United States and, in his Porsche Carrera Cup North America debut, captured a track record and a Race 2 win for 311RS Motorsport. Since then, Laurin Heinrich, who is now a factory Porsche driver, has earned a GTD Pro title for AO Racing in a Porsche 911 GT3 R, and is currently alive for the GTP driver championship this weekend for Porsche Penske Motorsport in a Porsche 963. Then 21-years-old, Heinrich finished 8.855 seconds ahead of the field – a precursor of things to come.
A rivalry renewed.
Not only are Maxson and Jeansonne battling for the overall championship this season, but their fight at the front is a continuation of a rivalry that has been building for more than a year. The pair spent all of last season going toe-to-toe for Rookie Championship honors, with Jeansonne ultimately claiming the title by just 21 points. Now, with the overall crown at stake and only a slim margin separating them, the duo once again finds themselves at the center of the season’s most compelling championship battles.
Iron man.
Alan Metni continues to set career marks in Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The career leader in starts, Metni will take his 84th and 85th career green flag at Road Atlanta. Despite being eligible for the Masters class, Metni is racing in the Mobil Pro Class this season and is currently eighth in points with Kellymoss.
Podium power.
Two podium finishes at Indianapolis gave Aaron Jeansonne a total of 15 in his Porsche Carrera Cup North America career. One more will move him to a tie with Zachary Vanier for fifth all time, and a pair moves him to fifth alone. Everyone is chasing Riley Dickinson, who has 43 career podiums in the top class and overall.
Class descriptions.
Mobil Pro Class.
The highest level of competition in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The class is recognized through its orange color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in orange on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with orange cross-marks, with the addition of orange highlights on the front bumper splitters.
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
Restricted to drivers who are 35 years old or older as of 1 January, 2026. The class is recognized through its green color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in green on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with green cross-marks, with the addition of green highlights on the front bumper splitters.
Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
This class is open to drivers who are 50 years old or older as of 1 January, 2026. The class is recognized through its yellow color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in yellow on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with yellow cross-marks, with the addition of yellow highlights on the front bumper splitters.
Entry list.
The full Porsche Carrera Cup North America entry list can be found by clicking here.
Points & results.
Event results and current points for Porsche Carrera Cup North America can be found by clicking here.
Broadcast.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
Aaron Jeansonne sent a message on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he and his Kellymoss team aren’t giving up on the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship.
Jeansonne took Mobil Pro class victory in a flag-to-flag effort, with Patrick Mulcahy scoring the win in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class and his ACI Motorsports teammate Marco Cirone joining him with victory in the Solairus Aviation Masters class.
Jeansonne’s overall win cuts into championship lead.
Aaron Jeansonne started his No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche 911 Cup on the Race Brew pole and got away from the field early, utilizing that breathing room for an eventual 1.651-second win. In the clear, he also earned the bonus point for fastest race lap to go with the two points for pole position.
“The team gave me the best car this weekend,” Jeansonne said. “We showed it out of the gate in practice and I’m so happy to be able to bring them a win and get us back in this championship fight. All credit to the team.
“They gave me the best car and all I did was drive it. I drove at 99 percent race pace and got the job done. I’m so proud of what everybody did.”
Those points proved extra valuable in relation to championship leader Tyler Maxson. The Porsche Junior Program member started second in his No. 77 TOPP Racing Porsche 911 Cup, but a bump from behind as he made his turn-in to Turn 1 allowed Janne Stiak (ACI Motorsports), Callum Hedge (JDX Racing) and Jared Thomas (JTR Motorsports Engineering) to get by.
Maxson had closed to the rear of Thomas and, with 22 minutes to go, ran side by side for several corners in the infield section of the Speedway road course. Thomas impressively held off Maxson to the checkered flag, holding fourth and leaving the Championship leader in fifth.
Ahead of them, Stiak and Hedge ran essentially uncontested. Stiak finished second for his fifth podium in six races. Hedge finished 16 seconds behind Jeansonne and more than seven seconds in front of Thomas in third.
Maxson leaves Indianapolis with an 11-point lead in the championship and doubleheaders at Road Atlanta and Circuit of the Americas remaining.
Mulcahy puts early end to Pro-Am title.
Patrick Mulcahy extended his winning streak to 12 races in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class, sweeping the Indianapolis round and clinching the championship with two rounds remaining.
Mulcahy’s point total has now put him out of reach for the Pro-Am class competitos regardless of the outcome at Road Atlanta and Circuit of The Americas.
Cirone rebounds to hold off Blind and score valuable points.
Marco Cirone and his No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup were aiming for a rebound on Sunday following a fourth-place finish in Saturday’s race.
Scott Blind’s Ruckus Racing Porsche 911 Cup led the Masters class through the opening corners, but Cirone found his way around early in the 40-minute race. Once out front, Cirone stayed clear of trouble and crossed the finish line 2.345 seconds ahead of Blind.
Following post-race technical inspection, Blind was assessed a technical infraction, promoting Rob Walker and the No. 53 JTR Motorsports Engineering Porsche 911 Cup to second place and Richard Edge’s No. 18 ACI Motorsports entry to third.
Despite 10 career Porsche Carrera Cup North America class victories, including five this season, the win was Cirone’s first at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I woke up this morning and I really wanted it,” Cirone said. “I woke up in a different mindset. I felt so bad for the crew because they worked all night long, but they fixed the car fantastically. This was an exhausting race because I had the guys behind me, Scott especially, and I couldn’t make any mistakes because he was right there.
“I’m glad the team gave me such a great car. Everything turned out well today.”
Walker and Edge completed the revised Masters podium, with Cirone extending his championship advantage heading into the final two events of the season.
Road Atlanta & Petit Le Mans beckons.
With Indianapolis in the rearview mirror, Porsche Carrera Cup North America now shifts its focus to Road Atlanta and the annual Petit Le Mans weekend in two weeks’ time. The season enters a critical stretch with the Mobil Pro and Solairus Aviation Masters championships still to be decided.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
RESULTS.
Race 2
Mobil Pro Class:
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
- Janne Stiak, #40
- Callum Hedge, #9
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone, #88
- Rob Walker, #53
- Richard Edge, #18
Two class leaders in Porsche Carrera Cup North America took another step toward clinching their respective titles on Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway while the third saw his nearest rival cut into his advantage.
Porsche Motorsport North America Junior Driver Tyler Maxson (TOPP Racing) and Patrick Mulcahy (ACI Motorsports) extended their Mobil Pro and Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class leads with victories, while Richard Edge (ACI Motorsports) took Solairus Aviation Pro-Am victory and Scott Blind (Ruckus Racing) closed his championship deficit with a runner-up finish.
Maxson leads flag-to-flag for overall win.
Just 18 points separated Maxson from Aaron Jeansonne (Kellymoss) after Maxson’s No. 77 Porsche 911 Cup secured the Race Brew Pole for Saturday’s 40-minute contest.
With the two championship leaders starting on the front row, Maxson got the jump on the Jeansonne and brought third-starting Janne Stiak’s No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 along with him.
The trio ran in that order for the entirety of the race – Maxson followed by fellow Porsche Junior Program member 19-year-old Stiak and Jeansonne’s No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche. In the middle third, Stiak was able to close to the rear of Maxson but couldn’t find a way past; over the closing laps, Jeansonne closed on Stiak through lapped traffic but remained in third.
Maxson knocked off the quickest lap of the race for an additional, valuable bonus point with a lap of 1:25.642 (102.524 mph) and to help stay in the race lead.
“It’s great,” Maxson said. “It was a good points day for us and another win on the belt. All props to the TOPP team, these guys kill it every single week.
“We’ve got one more to go tomorrow. We had a really good long-run car, and they had some good mid-race pace. We’ve got a couple of changes we can make overnight and we’ll be better tomorrow.”
Maxson enters Sunday’s race with a 27-point advantage over Jeansonne, where the starting order will be reversed with Jeansonne on the Race Brew Pole.
Mulcahy continues march toward the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am championship.
Patrick Mulcahy’s remarkable season showed few signs of slowing despite a dramatic opening lap. The ACI Motorsports driver spun early in the race but recovered to secure maximum points in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class, extending his undefeated streak to 11 consecutive victories in 2026.
The result leaves Mulcahy on the verge of wrapping up the season-long championship. With Mulcahy only needing to start Sunday’s race to officially clinch the 2026 Solairus Aviation Pro-Am championship.
Edge makes return to victory lane, Blind closes the gap.
Early drama transformed the Solairus Aviation Masters race, creating an opportunity for Richard Edge to score his first Porsche Carrera Cup North America victory since Road Atlanta in 2024 while championship contender Scott Blind gained valuable points in the title fight.
Championship leader and Race Brew polesitter Marco Cirone (ACI Motorsports) lost the lead at the start to both Blind and Edge before contact from teammate Matt Smith (ACI Motorsports) sent him off track on lap three, forcing the points leader into recovery mode for the remainder of the race. Smith received a drive-through penalty for the incident while Cirone dropped to the rear of the field.
That left Edge and Blind out front to battle for the class victory. Blind, fresh off his win in the Miami make-up race at Road America, was focused on reducing his championship deficit, while Edge was chasing his first Carrera Cup victory in nearly two seasons.
Edge moved his No. 18 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup into the lead on lap three and remained there despite pressure behind and incidents throughout the field.
“It feels pretty good,” Edge said. “The car was dialed in. The track conditions were a bit hot but overall ACI gave me a really good car.
“I got a bit lucky at the start and avoided some chaos, and then Scott made a little bobble through the chicane later, and I was able to get by him. I just tried to keep my head down and avoid making any mistakes and move forward, so it worked out in the end.”
Blind briefly lost second position to JTR Motorsports Engineering driver Rob Walker before reclaiming the spot on the final lap in his No. 45 Ruckus Racing Porsche 911 Cup.
Walker completed the podium in third, while Cirone recovered to fourth in class to limit the championship damage.
Cirone’s class pole and fourth-place finish allow him to carry a 33-point championship advantage into Sunday’s race at Indianapolis, with five races remaining on the 2026 schedule.
Sunday showdown ahead.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Race 2 at 11:20am ET on Sunday. With valuable championship points still available in all three classes, competitors will have one final opportunity to strengthen their title campaigns.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
RESULTS.
Race 1
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson, #77
- Janne Stiak, #40
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Richard Edge, #18
- Scott Blind, #45
- Rob Walker, #53
After losing more than half of his championship lead in the three races at Road America, TOPP Racing driver & Porsche Junior Tyler Maxson rebounded in Friday’s qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to take the Race Brew Pole award overall and in the Mobil Pro Class.
Maxson and No. 77 TOPP Racing Porsche 911 Cup ripped off a lap of 1:24.281 with 5:27 remaining in the 30-minute session to leapfrog Kellymoss driver Aaron Jeansonne for the final time and secure the starting position and, just as importantly, the two points that go with it.
Jeansonne’s No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche 911 Cup led the early stages of the session. Maxson moved into the lead with 13:30 remaining, but just seconds later Jeansonne was back on top. His lap of 1:24.320 looked strong until Maxson bettered it by 0.039-second in the final run.
The duo entered Round 10 at Indianapolis separated by 16 points after Jeansonne cut 21 points out of his deficit at Road America.
“It’s a good start for the weekend,” Maxson said. “We’re looking to rebound after Road America, which was not a great weekend for us. The team is just doing what they do best.
“We honestly were worried about this track more than any other and we’ve come on super strong this weekend, the guys have been doing a really good job. We got the car dialed in for qualifying and we’re super excited for the race tomorrow.”
Janne Stiak will start Saturday’s 40-minute race in third with his No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup, alongside Callum Hedge in the No. 9 JDX Racing Porsche.
Marco Cirone and Scott Blind continue to battle for the top spot in the Solairus Aviation Masters class.
Cirone, the leader in the title fight, put his No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup on top in the class, 13th overall in the 20-car race. His lap of 1:25.791 was 0.383-second quicker than Blind’s best in the No. 45 Ruckus Racing machine.
The Race Brew Pole stretches Cirone’s lead to 39 points and gives him a jump on Blind in Saturday’s race.
“The team did such an amazing job,” Cirone said. “They worked all day and we got the setup just bang on. I went out there and the car felt great everywhere. We had a significant amount of time in our pocket so it worked out great and I can’t be happier.”
Patrick Mulcahy earned his 10th Race Brew Pole of the sason in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class as he takes one step closer to claiming the season-long title. Mulcahy will start the race 16th overall in his No. 54 ACI Motorsports Porsche.
Race 1 for Porsche Carrera Cup North America on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is scheduled to go green at 12:35pm on Saturday, 19 September, followed by Race 2 on Sunday morning at 11:20am.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
RESULTS.
Qualifying
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson, #77
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
- Janne Stiak, #40
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone, #88
- Scott Blind, #45
- Richard Edge, #18
Practice 1
Mobil Pro Class:
- Aaron Jeansonne, #24
- Janne Stiak, #40
- Callum Hedge, #9
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Scott Blind, #45
- Rob Walker, #53
- Marco Cirone, #88
Practice 2
Mobil Pro Class:
- Cole Kleck, #78
- Janne Stiak, #40
- Tyler Maxson, #77
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy, #54
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone, #88
- Scott Blind, #45
- Rob Walker, #53
Porsche Carrera Cup North America makes its sixth consecutive visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for round six of the 2026 season. The season is approaching its close, with just two rounds remaining in the season – at Road Atlanta and Circuit of The Americas – following this weekend’s Indianapolis doubleheader.
Tyler Maxson (TOPP Racing) enters Indy with a 17-point lead over Kellymoss driver Aaron Jeansonne overall and in the Mobil Pro Class. Jeansonne closed the gap with a trio of podium finishes at Road America – including the Miami make-up race – while Maxson kept pace with a win. Patrick Mulcahy, riding a 10-race win streak in the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class, could wrap up the season title at Indianapolis. Marco Cirone has a 37-point lead over defending champion Scott Blind in the Solairus Aviation Masters class in a battle that could tighten up this weekend.
Though Maxson leads the way with five wins this season, four other drivers have won overall. Tom Sargent (GMG Racing), Callum Hedge (JDX Racing), Janne Stiak (ACI Motorsports) and Cole Kleck (TOPP Racing) join Maxson on the list.
To date this season, the Porsche Carrera Cup North America field has completed 4,203 combined race laps for a total of 13,234.3 miles. That’s the equivalent of 5,293 laps around the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks fast facts.
Field.
20 Porsche 911 Cup race cars are entered for Round 5 at Road America
- Mobil Pro Class. 12
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class. 1
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class. 7
- Teams. Eight race teams across all three classes
Track record.
1:25.516, 2023, Riley Dickinson, Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992.1)
2025 Race winners.
- Mobil Pro Class.
- Race 1, Zachary Vanier, JDX Racing
- Race 2, Aaron Jeansonne, Kellymoss
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
- Race 1, Patrick Mulcahy, GMG Racing
- Race 2, James Sofronas, GMG Racing
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
- Races 1 & 2, Scott Blind, Ruckus Racing
2026 Championship Leaders.
- Mobil Pro Class.
- Tyler Maxson, TOPP Racing
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
- Patrick Mulcahy, ACI Motorsports
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
- Marco Circone, ACI Motorsports
- Rookie.
- Cole Kleck, TOPP Racing
- Team.
- TOPP Racing
Schedule.
All times Eastern
- Friday, 18 September.8:55 – 9:25am | Practice 1 1:25 – 2:05am | Practice 2 7:05 – 7:35pm | Qualifying
- Saturday, 19 September.12:35 – 1:15pm | Race 1 (40 minutes)
- Sunday, 20 September.11:20 – 12:00pm | Race 2 (40 minutes)
Team parity.
Five different drivers have won overall this season and 10 drivers have taken class victories, but those drivers have been spread out amongst six different teams. ACI Motorsports leads the way with 18 out of a possible 30 class wins to date, boosted in no small part by Patrick Mulcahy’s 10 wins in Pro-Am. TOPP Racing, Ruckus Racing, GMG Racing, JTR Motorsports Engineering and JDX Racing have all taken home winner’s trophies in 2026.
Metni’s success on the bricks.
Alan Metni is the all-time leader in podium finishes at Indianapolis amongst Carrera Cup drivers, tied with Efrin Castro with seven. Metni has two Pro-Am class wins, and returns to the Pro class this weekend with Kellymoss.
Sprint champions.
While the Porsche Carrera Cup North America season marches on, champions were crowned last weekend in Porsche Sprint Challenge – a popular step on the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. Karel Staut (Kellymoss), the 15-year-old phenom, earned the honors in GT3 Cup Pro-Am with Mark Boden (Fall-Line Motorsports) matching him in GT3 Cup Masters. Anna Cecchi (Charlie Hayes Racing) became the first woman to win a Sprint Challenge championship with her Cayman Pro-Am title, while Bill Peluchiwski (Kellymoss) scored Cayman Masters honors.
Class descriptions.
Mobil Pro Class.
The highest level of competition in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The class is recognized through its orange color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in orange on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with orange cross-marks, with the addition of orange highlights on the front bumper splitters.
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
Restricted to drivers who are 35 years old or older as of 1 January, 2026. The class is recognized through its green color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in green on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with green cross-marks, with the addition of green highlights on the front bumper splitters.
Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
This class is open to drivers who are 50 years old or older as of 1 January, 2026. The class is recognized through its yellow color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in yellow on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with yellow cross-marks, with the addition of yellow highlights on the front bumper splitters.
Entry list.
The full Porsche Carrera Cup North America entry list can be found by clicking here.
Points & results.
Event results and current points for Porsche Carrera Cup North America can be found by clicking here.
Broadcast.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the PMNA newsletter.
From the operating room during the week to the Carrera Cup paddock on race weekends, Porsche Carrera Cup North America Solairus Aviation Masters class racer Kevin Stadtlander approaches medicine and motorsport with the same focus; preparation and teamwork.
The surroundings may be dramatically different, but Stadtlander believes success in the operating room and behind the wheel of his No. 60 JDX Racing Porsche 911 Cup race car requires many of the same qualities.
From the operating room to the race track.
“Motorsports and operating in the OR have a lot of similarities,” Stadtlander said. “You have to have a plan going in, and you have to have an exit strategy – a Plan B and a Plan C – when things may go sideways.
“I consider the focus in the operating room and the focus in motorsport one and the same,”
Stadtlander has worked in medicine for 35 years. “I went to medical school and became an interventional radiologist,” the Miami-based doctor said. “We use imaging guidance to take care of patients and treat cancer, vascular disease and other conditions.
Motorsport came before his career in medicine, so both of them have grown in parallel over the years.
The transition between his two careers is often immediate. Stadtlander regularly leaves the racetrack Sunday night and returns to the operating room Monday morning.
In the operating room, Stadtlander accepts responsibility for the patient on the table. In the race car, that responsibility extends beyond his own safety to every competitor sharing the circuit.
“There are a lot of similarities between being in the operating room and being in the race car,” he said. “Having a patient’s life in my hands is very familiar to me. I’m comfortable with that responsibility, and I want to make them better.
“In the car, I obviously have my own life in my hands, but I also have my competitors on track that I have to take care of.”
Neither pursuit is an individual effort. Kevin Stadtlander relies on nurses, technicians and other caregivers in medicine, just as he depends on engineers, mechanics and team personnel at the track.
“Teamwork in medicine and teamwork in racing are also very similar,” he said. “In the operating room, we have nurses, techs and other caregivers in addition to the doctor. The doctor is the pilot, if you will.
“In the race car, we can’t do anything without the team of support behind us. Picking JDX Racing was very important to me because they are experts at what they do.”
Return to racing.
Stadtlander’s motorsport ambitions began while he was growing up in Pittsburgh. He attended a Skip Barber Racing School at Mid-Ohio while still in high school before stepping away to pursue medicine.
He later returned through Porsche Club Racing and Grand-Am competition before taking another decade away from the sport.
That break ended when he received an invitation to race at Spa last year in the 992 Endurance Cup.
“I went to Spa, did that and said, ‘That’s it,’” Stadtlander said. “I had the bug again, and I decided to do the 2026 Carrera Cup season with the new car.”
Stadtlander turned 60 in 2025, inspiring the number on his Porsche.
“At age 60, I said this could be my last year doing this – I’m not sure – Even though I had been off for quite some time, I decided, let’s just go big.”
Porsche Carrera Cup North America offered the stage he wanted, competing alongside Formula 1, IndyCar and IMSA events. Introduced by his father, and fueled by a memorable visit to Stuttgart as a teenager, Stadtlander’s enthusiasm for Porsche has been lifelong as well. For him, living the racing dream meant there was no substitute for Carrera Cup.
JDX Racing became his team of choice after he met Jeremy Dale and Harrison Brix at Petit Le Mans in 2025.
“I just think they are great people from top to bottom,” Stadtlander said. “They are very good to me, good to my family and good to their other race car drivers.
“For me as a Masters driver, joining a team with two excellent Pro drivers has been very good. In our team meetings, I get to learn a lot from them, and hopefully they learn a lot from me as well.”
Racing for Best Buddies.
Stadtlander also uses his racing program to support Best Buddies, an international organization that promotes inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Its programs create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, employment, leadership development and greater participation in schools, workplaces and local communities.
He brought the organization into his program ahead of the Miami weekend, and now uses each event to create awareness and raise funds throughout the season.
“Everywhere we go and every race we attend, there is a chapter of Best Buddies,” Stadtlander said. “We have the buddies come by the paddock and the pit area, and it’s fantastic.
“It is very enjoyable for me to give back while I’m doing this. A lot of the racing is for me, but I love being able to give back at the same time.”
Constant improvement.
Kevin Stadtlander also sees parallels in how medicine and motorsport use data, simulation and technology to improve performance.
“Every time we operate on a patient and every time we get in the race car, we want to be better and better,” he said. “We always say there is no such thing as a perfect lap.”
He does, however, say that there is a perfect surgery. “When I treat cancer, a blood clot in the leg or a blood clot in the lungs, it is amazing to see those patients no longer lying flat on the table,” he said. “When they are walking around the hospital, and I see them walk outside, that is incredible.”
At 60, Stadtlander hopes his return to racing encourages others to pursue ambitions they may have put aside.
“Age is only a number,” he said. “Follow your dreams. Do whatever you want to do. Just step up and do it.”
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter, and by subscribing to the newsletter.
The results are beginning to catch up with Sabré Cook’s speed, but her progress in Porsche Carrera Cup North America has been measured just as much by how she responds when that momentum is interrupted.
The founding driver from the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program recorded her best overall round in the championship at Watkins Glen International with finishes of sixth and seventh, then followed it with a career-best fifth place in the Miami make-up race at Road America.
Her pace had been evident in the regularly scheduled second Road America race, where she challenged for third before contact forced her out.
The single Miami race that did take place had provided an earlier test. Two separate incidents left Cook with a heavily damaged car, but when the postponed second race was completed last weekend, she returned to earn her best Carrera Cup finish.
That determined fighting spirit.
For Cook, fighting back has become an essential part of her career.
“Unfortunately, I feel like sometimes it has been a theme of my career,” Cook said. “The good news is there is no lack of resilience, tenacity and growth in that area on my part.
“It does make it difficult sometimes, but the only option I have is either pick myself up and keep going or quit — and I’m not a quitter. There really is only one option.”
The recent performances underline the progress Cook has made during her second season with JDX Racing and fourth year in Carrera Cup.
Her speed has been apparent throughout the season. With greater stability around her and a growing understanding of the latest Porsche 911 Cup car, that pace is now translating into stronger results.
“I’m really pleased with the progress that has been made,” Cook said. “Having a great support system around me and starting to unlock what I need as far as skills development and training outside the racetrack has helped.
“Being with JDX has also been immensely helpful, and having that second year and consistency with the same team has been instrumental.”
Feeling at home with JDX.
That consistency has often been missing during Cook’s career. Before qualifying for the all-female W Series, she had never completed a full season in any championship, instead accepting one-off opportunities whenever funding allowed.
Even after progressing into Carrera Cup, she frequently had to adapt to changing circumstances during her first two seasons.
“I was used to adapting and being in different situations, but I didn’t purposely want to,” Cook said.
“I was really happy to end up with JDX in 2025, and I wish I had started there. Maybe we’d be having a different conversation at this point if I had, but at least I’m here now.”
The continuity has allowed Cook to build a productive relationship with teammate Callum Hedge and engineer Greg Jones.
Cook and Hedge regularly work together on the simulator and compare data, video and feedback. Their similar assessments of the car also give the engineering team a clear direction.
“Having a teammate like Callum has been absolutely amazing and super productive this year,” Cook said. “He is very supportive and collaborative.
“We’ll get on the simulator together, we’ll talk about sponsors together, and we’ll look at data and video together. He’s been a great resource and partner for me.”
Speed aboard the new 992.2 Porsche.
Cook also believes the Porsche 911 Cup car (Type 992.2) better suits her open-wheel background because of its increased aerodynamic performance.
“My background is primarily open-wheel, which is more aerodynamically dependent, so the fact that the new car has more aero definitely helps me,” Cook said.
“But I’ve still tried every year to keep my head down and unlock the mystery of the 911, because it is its own animal.”
Her fifth-place finish at Road America showed how that growing confidence is helping her capitalize when opportunities arise.
During caution periods, Cook recognized that a significant result was possible, but worked to keep her attention on execution rather than the potential outcome.
“It’s human nature to recognize there’s a potential for a really good result here,” Cook said.
“But I reminded myself, ‘Yes, we want this result, but we need to stay focused on how we’re going to execute to achieve it.’
“It was about not just focusing on the result, but focusing on the process.”
Cook applies the same approach when a race begins to unravel. Her first reaction after contact is to recover the car and determine whether she can continue.
“You’re very much action-oriented,” Cook said. “I’ll deal with this later, but right now I’m still in the race and I’ve got to keep going.”
Only afterward does she assess the wider consequences, including the cost of the damage and its potential impact on a budget she works tirelessly to assemble.
Building partnerships beyond the racetrack.
Cook estimates she spends approximately 85 percent of her time developing partnerships and finding ways to deliver value beyond placing a logo on the car.
“It’s five full-time jobs in one,” Cook said. “Without my incredible partners, I wouldn’t be able to be on track.”
Cook uses the IMSA paddock to create business-to-business opportunities for partners such as TraCorp and Solairus Aviation, while brands including privé products, Mobil 1, Hagerty, and Race Brew benefit from Carrera Cup’s presence in largely attended IMSA, Formula 1, and IndyCar events.
She also credits Tom Wood Porsche for owning her car this season.
“There are so many touchpoints I’m able to connect into,” Cook said. “The series and Porsche Motorsport provide support to make sure I can continue to provide value for those partners.”
The Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program has also been instrumental in keeping Cook on the Carrera Cup grid since she became its first female driver in 2023.
The initiative has since expanded to support seven women across multiple championships in North America..
“I wouldn’t be here without the support of the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program,” Cook said. “It has been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on track.”
Keeping her focus on the road ahead.
Cook’s results at Watkins Glen and Road America showed that her speed has been present throughout the season. Her ability to regroup has ensured the setbacks have not stopped that progress.
With Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Road Atlanta and Circuit of the Americas still ahead, Cook remains committed to the approach that has carried her into the fight near the front.
“Obviously, I want the result to happen, but I’m going to keep my head down and keep doing what I know is working,” Cook said.
“That is ultimately going to get me the result that I want.”
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