ACI Motorsports claimed a milestone victory at the Miami Grand Prix, earning their first-ever win in the Pro class of Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
While the team has previously celebrated success in the Pro-Am and Masters categories, this marks a significant step forward for the program — breaking through at the top level of competition with a standout performance from driver Yves Baltas, who swept both races of the weekend.
Year after year, ACI Motorsports has raised the bar — growing stronger, faster, and more formidable with every season.
In 2025, that momentum shows no signs of slowing down. The team is bigger, sharper, and more focused than ever, ready to take on the competition at full throttle.
“When you look at where the team has come from, it’s been a steady journey over the past few years — every season, we’ve just kept growing, getting stronger, bringing in the right people to help us give both our Pro and Am drivers the best cars possible,” team owner, Curt Swearingin said.
“Miami really showed that. We had strong pace in both classes and ran at the front across the board. Getting two wins in the Pro class — our first ever for ACI — is huge.
“It’s a little bittersweet because of the penalties and some of the contact that happened across the races, but overall, it was a great weekend and a big step forward for the team.”
Sunday’s second race was an ACI domination at the front. Jimmy Llibre was actually first across the line but incurred a 10-second penalty for track limits violations.
ACI Motorsports is fielding a formidable six-car lineup across all three competition classes in 2024. In the Pro class alongside Baltas and Llibre, John Jodoin joins the squad for the ANDIAL Cup rounds.
The Pro-Am class features Sebring double-winner Juan Pablo Martinez and the returning Marco Cirone, while Richard Edge competes in the Masters class.
It’s also no surprise to followers of ACI Motorsports or friends of owner, Curt Swearingin, that the team returns with its long-time manufacturer partner, Porsche. The two entities have been affiliated officially on the racetrack in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Pirelli GT4 America, and GT World Challenge America, but Swearingin’s relationship with the marque dates back even further.
“I like all cars, but in the end, I’m just a Porsche guy,” said Swearingin.
“All my street cars are Porsche, I don’t have other brands of cars, other than what my kids drive… so we pretty much are a Porsche family. All my race cars are Porsches. I just never really have considered anything else because all I’ve ever done is have Porsches at the track.
“I like the fit and feel of a Porsche, no matter which one I get in. I feel at home because I’ve driven so many over the years for so long.”
Split between shops in Braselton, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, ACI Motorsports has its eyes on Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Pirelli GT4 America for 2025. While the former series sees drivers take on solo efforts, Swearingin’s latter entry welcomes past Carrera Cup champion Riley Dickinson as a co-driver and also for his debut in the SRO paddock.
The team’s second car features former Porsche Sprint Challenge North America racer Dan Sibille with Dutch former Carrera Cup aces Loek Hartog and Kay van Berlo splitting the co-driving duties. Van Berlo is filling in for his fellow Dutchman at a number of rounds despite officially “retiring” to concentrate on his business career after his championship success last year.
“Kay being the dedicated person that he is, I wasn’t surprised by his retirement and going to live his dream in a different way,” said Swearingin.
“When Kay let me know he was going to be doing that, we consulted with him on the guys we were looking to replace him. We all put our heads together, and it was a pretty easy choice.”
As easily as Swearingin speaks about Dickinson joining the team, he speaks even sweeter about why he and ACI Motorsports choose Porsche year after year.
Swearingin sees the value of Porsche from various angles, not only as a driver – his own experience dates back to PCA Trophy East and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – but also as a businessman.
“The platform, as far as a racecar, it’s probably the best value per car out there,” said Swearingin.
“Just the platform itself is what, to me, makes this an attractive series, and it being a one-make series. I always like to see where I stand as a driver. I think a one-make series really helps with that, since the cars are always so much more equal versus racing a bunch of other brands.
“It’s like, ‘If so-and-so can do it, I should be able to do it.’ Versus, if you’re racing and it’s multiple different brands, they’re going to make the power different, they’re going to make the corner speed different. I think it’s really good for driver development. I think we’ve seen that, especially with the young guns who have come out of the series the past few years.”
Including Dickinson.
Having Dickinson’s successful experience with Porsche, in addition to van Berlo – a past 24 Hours of Daytona winner – setting expectations, the lap times and goals have never been clearer.
“That’s always a benefit for an Am or a Pro-Am to take a look at the data from a Pro having been in the car,” said Swearingin, who also credited former coaches Parker Thompson and Elliott Skeer.
“Even before we had Pros running under our tent, we were just Am and Pro-Am, and we always had a benchmark. We’ve always had them in the car to get the data from to chase it. But having it full-time now with Pro drivers on our team, I think really helps our Pro-Am and Masters.”
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The Porsche EBOOST Junior Program delivered a statement performance at the Miami Grand Prix, with ACI Motorsports driver Yves Baltas taking back-to-back wins in Porsche Carrera Cup North America and EBOOST Juniors landing on the podium in both races.
Tyler Maxson (TOPP Racing) secured second place on Saturday, while Zachary Vanier (JDX Racing) claimed third on Sunday, showcasing the strength and consistency of the Porsche EBOOST Junior lineup.
The weekend in Miami kicked off with a Thursday education session hosted by Yokohama, focusing on social media presence and brand engagement — key components of Porsche’s holistic driver development approach.
Supporting the Juniors all weekend was Richard Westbrook, the Porsche EBOOST Driver Advisor and former Porsche factory driver.
Westbrook brings decades of top-level experience, including race wins in IMSA, FIA WEC and rose to prominence in the early 2000s with a championship victory in Carrera Cup Great Britain in 2004 and back-to-back championships in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2006 and 2007.
“It’s a huge sense of responsibility because this is such an important time in their careers,” said Westbrook.
“I’m fortunate to have a great group of juniors who are really engaged and responding well. They all want to soak up the knowledge I’m sharing — and that’s incredibly rewarding for me.
“I want to make sure they understand what a special opportunity this is, having a brand like Porsche supporting them at such an early stage.
“It’s something I never had, so I want to help them make the most of it.”
With two victories and four podium finishes in total in Miami, the Porsche EBOOST Juniors proved they’re not just the future of Porsche Motorsport — they’re already contenders.
Next up is round three of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama where Porsche EBOOST Junior program members Cole Kleck (992 Pro-Am) and Anna Cecchi (Cayman Pro-Am) will be in action at Circuit of The Americas on May 16-18 as well as Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama racer Daniel Hanley.
Porsche Motorsport North America’s partner in the junior program since 2024, EBOOST is a premium brand of dietary supplements made in the USA. All EBOOST products are non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free and contain no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners to deliver the cleanest products.
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It was a bittersweet race day in Miami for ACI Motorsports, with Yves Baltas emerging with victory in Race 2 for a weekend sweep at Miami International Autodrome.
In front of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix crowd, polesitter and Baltas’ teammate, Jimmy Llibre, took off at the start and built an early Pro class lead in front of what Libre considers his home crowd.
An unexpected twist came in the final five minutes when Llibre was issued a 10-second penalty for track limits. Not having time to make-up the penalty, Llibre fell down the order but Baltas inherited the lead and eventual win for the second consecutive day.
“This is great for the championship this early on,” said Baltas. “This is what we were hoping for. We want to carry this momentum into Montreal and it’s a great start to the season for us.
“All of ACI – Curt, Adam, Andy – I can’t name them all, but everyone at ACI and all my sponsors on the car. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible and I wouldn’t be here, so I really have to thank them for trusting me to do a second season.”
The victory is Baltas’ third Porsche Carrera Cup North America. He won his first race last year in Montreal.
Throughout the 40-minute contest, Ryan Yardley (Topp Racing) and Zachary Vanier (JDX Racing) had a back-and-forth showdown that would end up deciding the remaining podium spots. Yardley finished ahead in second with Vanier in third, but both would consider the results a victory – in a challenging Race 1 on Saturday, Yardley was spun late and Vanier had retired early to pit lane.
A pair of hometown heroes stood on the Pro-Am class podium, with Angel Benitez (FMS Motorsport) earning top honors in Race 2. Benitez cycled into the lead after JP Martinez (ACI Motorsports) was issued a drive-through penalty while running first.
Benitez did not have an easy run to the finish line, however, with Saturday’s winner, James Sofronas (GMG Racing) attached to his bumper. Sofronas was so close in fact, that he broke his front splitter off Benitez’s car and suffered aerodynamic issues as a result.
“It’s a dream come true,” expressed Benitez, who just completed his season-debut weekend in the series. “The amount of effort that we had to put together to be here, I really have to say thank you to my sponsors and my team, my dad. It certainly was a family effort, I’m so happy and so glad to be here.
“(To be on top of the F1 podium) is a feeling that I can tell is incredible. I look up, I look down, I felt like (Max) Verstappen or (Charles) Leclerc. You have to be there to really actually feel it.”
Sofronas held on for second place while Martinez, another Miami native, bounced back from his penalty to finish third on the podium.
In the Masters class, Scott Blind (Ruckus Racing) overcame a trying race on Saturday to finish first on Sunday. Blind, the class championship leader, was caught up in a Lap 1 incident in Race 1, but kept his Porsche clean in Race 2 for his third win of the season.
“It really feels good,” Blind said. “Yesterday, we had some bad luck and we hit the reset button today. I was in front of these crazy fast Pro-Ams, and I thought I just need to survive this one and have a good finish. It feels great to be back up here and get that first-place trophy.
“It was just a super weekend. The guys did a great job with the car and we really prepped for it. It was just a good weekend.”
Race 1 winner, Todd Parriott, followed behind Blind for a runner-up finish on Sunday.
Another Formula One event awaits Porsche Carrera Cup North America, as the one-make series’ next round takes place at Canadian Grand Prix. The pair of races will run at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and will be shown live on IMSA & Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport social channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and X.
RACE 2
Pro:
- #15 Yves Baltas
- #78 Ryan Yardley
- #9 Zachary Vanier
Pro-Am:
- #5 Angel Benitez
- #14 James Sofronas
- #4 JP Martinez
Masters:
- #45 Scott Blind
- #13 Todd Parriott
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Yves Baltas (ACI Motorsports) refused to back down in the hunt for his first Porsche Carrera Cup North America victory of the season, and his efforts paid off in Race 1 at the Miami Formula 1 grand Prix.
Recently named as a Porsche EBOOST Junior Program Driver, Baltas made an astounding maneuver past polesitter and teammate Jimmy Llibre, going from third to first after Turn 1
After a restart with 16 minutes left in the contest, Baltas took advantage of Llibre’s late-braking into Turn 1 to slip by and take off in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car.
The battle raged behind Baltas for remaining podium positions, allowing him to finish more than six seconds ahead of his competitors for the Pro class win.
“I really wanted to make it happen and it was great,” said Baltas. “(The race) was really good and the car was super strong. We showed our pace, we made a big gap. Once I got ahead, I just knew I had to keep my nose clean and it was easy from there.
“I want to thank all of ACI, all my sponsors, Gus, Andy, Adam, Curt. Everyone at ACI gave me an amazing car, so I really have to appreciate everyone on my team.”
After dropping to second, Llibre was attacked left-right-and-center by other Pro drivers and contact with then third-place Ryan Yardley left Llibre with a drive-through penalty and Yardley spinning off track.
Therefore, Tyler Maxson (Topp Racing) – in just his third Carrera Cup start – finished second for his inaugural series podium. Maxson gained the spot only in the final corners of the race, making a pass on Michael De Quesada (Alegra Motorsports) who finished third.
Riley Dickinson (Kellymoss), who scored the Race Brew Pole Award earlier in the day, was demoted to the back of the grid after failing post-qualifying inspection. However, the former series champion powered back to fourth place by the end of the 40-minute race.
James Sofronas (GMG Racing) encountered just as much chaos en route to his Pro-Am class win on Saturday. After starting third, Sofronas watched polesitter Marco Cirone (ACI Motorsports) get collected in a first-lap incident, and jumped past second-place Angel Benitez (FMS Motorsport) for the class lead.
While he held the lead for the remainder of the race, he was being hotly pursued by JP Martinez (ACI Motorsports) – winner of both rounds at Sebring International Raceway in March and the quickest driver in both Miami practice sessions on Friday. However, Martinez retired to the pits with 10 minutes remaining, reinstating Benitez to runner-up and Alan Metni (Kellymoss) to third.
“I feel great, those are the kind of wins you want to have with strong competition,” said Sofronas. “We started third-in-class and made an aggressive move on the start into (Turn) 1. There was some nice bump and rolling and rambling out there, but I just wanted to push hard early. Track position is key here and then you gotta get a draft on those straightaways.
“At this point, I was settled in good, had some good restarts and the car was great. The GMG boys put together an awesome car. Anthony and Tate and the guys, the car was really good at the end. We were hanging in with the Pro top eight, so I was satisfied with what we had.
“But the best part was those restarts. They’re always fun and I capitalized when I needed to, got around some Pro cars to give myself a buffer to the second-place car. Then you come around and take the checkered, and it’s a big relief to win here at the Miami F1 weekend and get on the big show podium.”
Perhaps the most glowing driver after Race 1 in Miami was Todd Parriott (Kellymoss) in the Masters class. Parriott, entering the weekend winless in Carrera Cup and facing a dominant class leader in Scott Blind, found himself first on the podium by the end of Saturday’s race after Blind was tangled in a Turn 1, Lap 1 incident.
Blind was running mid-pack where the incident took place, while Parriott’s starting spot near the back of the field allowed him to avoid the mayhem en route to his first series victory.
“I feel amazing,” said Parriott. “This is my first ‘first’ ever, it’s been so cool. It’s just so exciting to be here in Miami and to actually get that opportunity. I’m almost out of words, it’s so amazing.
“It is surreal when you’re up there (on the F1 podium). That is the coolest thing ever to be up on that stand and see the stage, the lights, the music. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
Race 2 on Sunday is set for 10:15 a.m. prior to the Formula One Miami Grand Prix at 4 p.m., and be shown live on IMSA & Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport social channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and X.
RACE 1
Pro
- #15 Yves Baltas
- #77 Tyler Maxson
- #11 Michael De Quesada
Pro-Am
- #14 James Sofronas
- #5 Angel Benitez
- #99 Alan Metni
Masters
- #13 Todd Parriott
- #45 Scott Blind
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UPDATE: Riley Dickinson fails post-qualifying technical inspection, relinquishing Race Brew Pole Award to Jimmy Llibre.
Rain or shine, or “everything in between,” Riley Dickinson (Kellymoss) is a powerhouse driver at Miami International Autodrome, and he continued that dominance with his second consecutive Race Brew Pole Award on Saturday.
In a mixed-conditions qualifying session that came following a late-morning rainstorm, Dickinson’s quickest time of the Pro class clocked in at one minute, 56.410 seconds, just shy of his own track record from 2023 by .396 seconds.
“It was pretty crazy out there,” said Dickinson, who is also undefeated this year after two race wins at Sebring International Raceway in March. “Two-for-two now for Carrera Cup having a pretty wild qualifying session. Had a bit of moisture in the air, had a bit of drizzle, had a bit of dry, a bit of wet, a bit of damp, it was kind of everything in between. Somehow, someway we were able to put it through and I was able to get the lap whenever it counted.
“I can’t thank everyone at Kellymoss enough for their hard work. This was a tough one going into it, given the fact that I did not race here last year. A lot of the other drivers who are very good, they drove here last year. I was a bit on the backfoot, but ultimately was able to get it done and I’m looking forward to the race later today.”
Jimmy Llibre – the only driver to find the top of the leaderboard this weekend aside from Dickinson in Practice 1 – will be hot on his rival’s tails starting in second place. The Dominican Republic native and ACI Motorsports driver has a hefty following of family and friends onsite at Miami, which he considers his home track.
Starting third is Ryan Yardley (Topp Racing) with his best performance of the weekend after finishing 10th and fourth in the two practice sessions.
In the Pro-Am class, Marco Cirone (ACI Motorsports) will lead his field to the green flag after qualifying with a lap of one minute, 58.591 seconds. Cirone – who posted his quickest time in the closing moments of the session – looks to capitalize on his two third-place finishes from Sebring to land on the top step in Miami.
“Oh boy, I just went for it,” said Cirone. “The crew gave me a fantastic car and each time I went out, the car felt better and better. It was really tricky at the end there because it started to rain and I couldn’t really tell if it was wet or not. But I just put my head down and said ‘I’m going for it’ and that’s it.”
Charging behind Cirone will be Angel Benitez (FMS Motorsport) – making his season debut in Carrera Cup at his hometown circuit – in second place and James Sofronas (GMG Racing) in third.
While Scott Blind (Ruckus Racing) will start first in the Am class, he is evermore eager to mix with the Pro and Pro-Am class drivers as he’s done in previous rounds. Blind starts 13th overall on the grid for Race 1.
“This is so special down here at Miami, the Grand Prix,” reflected Blind. “This goes out to the team. They are just amazing guys and for me to be out here running around with these badasses, it’s just amazing. I can’t say enough how wonderful it is.”
Saturday’s activities for Porsche Carrera Cup North America continue with Race 1 now scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET
Race 2 on Sunday is set for 10:15 a.m. prior to the Formula One race at 4 p.m.
The pair of Carrera Cup races at the Miami Grand Prix will be shown live on Peacock; IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport North America social channels on Facebook, Linkedin, Threads and X.
Qualifying
Pro
1. #91 Riley Dickinson
2. #2 Jimmy Llibre
3. #78 Ryan Yardley
Pro-Am
1. #84 Marco Cirone
2. #5 Angel Benitez
3. #14 James Sofronas
Masters
1. #45 Scott Blind
2. #13 Todd Parriott
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Returning to the spotlight of the Miami Grand Prix for a third consecutive year, Porsche Carrera Cup North America launched the weekend with two Friday sessions and a 28-car field.
Running at the Miami International Autodrome circuit, the quickest lappers of the field are no stranger to the Magic City.
Jimmy Llibre (ACI Motorsports) topped the Pro class in Practice 1 with a time of one minute, 57.362 seconds. It kicked off a highly anticipated weekend in Miami for the Dominican Republic native, who brings a large contingent of followers this weekend.
“It feels great to be here in Miami,” said Llibre. “I also feel like it’s my home track because all my people from the Dominican Republic are here, and my sponsors. The team is doing a really good job, the car feels great and let’s see if we can do the same in qualifying and both the races.”
Ultimately, though, Llibre’s time would not stand by the end of day, as Riley Dickinson (Kellymoss) posted Friday’s fastest lap by nearly half a second at one minute, 56.685 seconds in Practice 2.
Dickinson has not skipped a beat in his return to Carrera Cup after a one-year hiatus – winning both opening rounds at Sebring International Raceway in March – and expressed a strong appreciation for his return to Miami. Not only did he sweep the event’s two rounds in 2023, but he still currently holds the track record amongst Carrera Cup drivers.
“Definitely better than Session 1 for sure,” said Dickinson of the track conditions in Practice 2. “We had the sun go down a little bit, so cooler conditions out there which was nice. I love this track, it’s so much fun to drive. It’s one of my favorites on the calendar this year. It’s definitely good to be back, I was pinching myself last year watching everyone on track in 2024. So, glad to be back in the Cup car here at Miami and I’m excited for the rest of this weekend.”
Rounding out the top three Pro drivers in Practice 1 were Zachary Vanier (JDX Racing), who captured his first Carrera Cup series win at Miami in 2024, and Dickinson in third. Llibre placed second in Practice 2 alongside ACI Motorsports teammate, Yves Baltas in third.
JP Martinez, a Miami resident also with ACI Motorsports, gave local fans someone to cheer for by finishing atop the Pro-Am class standings in both sessions on Friday. Despite being in his Carrera Cup rookie season, Martinez enters the weekend as the class championship leader following two wins just up the road at Sebring in Rounds 1 and 2.
Martinez’s quickest time came in Practice 2 at one minute, 58.159 seconds, evening landing him in the top 10 overall.
A quartet of Pro-Am drivers rounded out the top three across both sessions – two additional ACI Motorsports competitors, Kenton King and Marco Cirone, alongside Alan Metni (Kellymoss) and James Sofronas (GMG Racing).
In the Masters category, Scott Blind (Ruckus Racing) looks to increase his points lead and series dominance following a weekend sweep at Sebring in March.
Saturday’s activities for Porsche Carrera Cup North America begin at 11 a.m. ET with the driver autograph session open to fans in the paddock. Qualifying follows at 1:40 p.m., with the Race 1 green flag scheduled for 5:50 p.m.
Race 2 on Sunday is set for 10:15 a.m. prior to the Formula One race at 4 p.m.
The pair of Carrera Cup races at the Miami Grand Prix will be shown live on Peacock; IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport North America social channels on Facebook, Linkedin, Threads and X.
PRACTICE 1
Pro
- #2 Jimmy Llibre
- #9 Zachary Vanier
- #91 Riley Dickinson
Pro-Am
- #4 JP Martinez
- #74 Kenton King
- #99 Alan Metni
Masters
- #45 Scott Blind
- #13 Todd Parriott
PRACTICE 2
Pro
- #91 Riley Dickinson
- #2 Jimmy Llibre
- #15 Yves Baltas
Pro-Am
- #4 JP Martinez
- #84 Marco Cirone
- #14 James Sofronas
Masters
- #45 Scott Blind
- #13 Todd Parriott
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Main photo by Sideline Sports Photography
What began as an owner’s passion for learning the fundamentals quickly turned into a serious pursuit as Mulcahy transitioned into club racing, where he built a strong foundation in racecraft and competition.
His rapid growth and commitment to improvement opened the door to Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, where he tested himself against seasoned drivers and proved he belonged at a higher level.
Now a full-season competitor in Porsche Carrera Cup North America for the first time this season, Mulcahy stands as a shining example of how Porsche’s ladder system can transform an everyday enthusiast into a legitimate contender at the top of one-make racing.
“The Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles was where it all really started for me,” Mulcahy said.
“When I bought my Porsche 911 GT3 RS, I knew I couldn’t just drive it on the street and not experience what it was really built to do.
“I had buddies doing track days, and I always said I wanted to join them, but I was busy. I was building my business, raising a family. Life was hectic.
“One day, after driving past the Porsche Experience Center in LA about a hundred times, I finally looked into it. I found out they had an “Owner’s Day” where you could bring your own car out to the track.
“They had coaching, they had a structured program. I signed up immediately. I didn’t hesitate. I committed to three sessions right away, just to get my feet wet.
“And after that first session, I was absolutely hooked. There was no turning back. That first time on track changed everything for me.
“It’s a fantastic entry point into motorsports. It gives Porsche owners — and newcomers too — a safe, structured environment to learn about car control, handling, and driving dynamics.
“It’s the perfect first step before you go jump into club racing or competitive events. I don’t think I would have gotten serious about racing without starting there.
“It gave me the foundation, the confidence, and the passion to go further.”
After building his confidence at the Porsche Experience Center, Mulcahy took the next step by entering club racing events with the Porsche Owners Club and Porsche Club of America, where he began applying his skills in a competitive environment.
“The club days were great environments to learn in. It was competitive, but not overwhelming,” Mulcahy said.
“It gave me a chance to start applying what I was learning, building up my skills in a real track environment. But pretty quickly, I realized that taking my GT3 RS to these events wasn’t the best idea. It’s an incredible car, but it’s expensive, and the risk of damaging it was always at the back of my mind.
“So I decided to go get a proper race car. I bought a 991.2 Cup car and also a Spec Boxster so I could really cut my teeth — learn the right way without constantly worrying about the car.”
After gaining experience in club racing, Mulcahy earned his provisional license and took a significant step forward by joining GMG Racing, where he began training in a complete driver development program.
“I signed up for the POC Racers Clinic to get my provisional racing license. That was a real wake-up call. Dwayne, who ran the clinic, was tough. He was strict, he didn’t sugarcoat anything,” Mulcahy said.
“But it was precisely what I needed. It forced me to focus, take everything seriously, and understand what it meant to drive at a high level – to be consistent and race responsibly.
“Going through that program gave me a lot of respect for the craft of racing, and once I earned my provisional license, I knew that I didn’t want to just stay at the club level. I tried to keep pushing and see how far I could go.
“I reached out to GMG Racing. They were the team I always admired from a distance — super professional and had a strong reputation. They invited me to come out and do a test day at The Thermal Club.
“So I brought my Cup car out there, worked with Andrew Chinnici who had coached me a PECLA, and just tried to show what I could do. It wasn’t anything official at that point — just a test to see if it was a good fit. After that day, they offered me a spot in their driver development program, which was huge for me.
After building his confidence at the Porsche Experience Center, Mulcahy took the next step by entering club racing events with the Porsche Owners Club and Porsche Club of America, where he began applying his skills in a competitive environment.
“The club days were great environments to learn in. It was competitive, but not overwhelming,” Mulcahy said.
“It gave me a chance to start applying what I was learning, building up my skills in a real track environment. But pretty quickly, I realized that taking my GT3 RS to these events wasn’t the best idea. It’s an incredible car, but it’s expensive, and the risk of damaging it was always at the back of my mind.
“So I decided to go get a proper race car. I bought a 991.2 Cup car and also a Spec Boxster so I could really cut my teeth — learn the right way without constantly worrying about the car.”
After gaining experience in club racing, Mulcahy earned his provisional license and took a significant step forward by joining GMG Racing, where he began training in a complete driver development program.
“I signed up for the POC Racers Clinic to get my provisional racing license. That was a real wake-up call. Dwayne, who ran the clinic, was tough. He was strict, he didn’t sugarcoat anything,” Mulcahy said.
“But it was precisely what I needed. It forced me to focus, take everything seriously, and understand what it meant to drive at a high level – to be consistent and race responsibly.
“Going through that program gave me a lot of respect for the craft of racing, and once I earned my provisional license, I knew that I didn’t want to just stay at the club level. I tried to keep pushing and see how far I could go.”
“I reached out to GMG Racing. They were the team I always admired from a distance — super professional and had a strong reputation. They invited me to come out and do a test day at The Thermal Club.
“So I brought my Cup car out there, worked with Andrew Chinnici who had coached me a PECLA, and just tried to show what I could do. It wasn’t anything official at that point — just a test to see if it was a good fit. After that day, they offered me a spot in their driver development program, which was huge for me.
“I spent that entire summer pounding out laps at Thermal. It was brutally hot — I mean, 115 degrees some days — but I was out there. There were days when I was the only car on track, just session after session, lap after lap. It was mentally and physically tough, but it was the best thing for my growth. I look back on that summer as the foundation for everything that’s come since.”
Mulcahy ran his first race with GMG Racing in October 2023 at The Thermal Club, marking an important milestone as his training transitioned into real competition.
After that debut, it quickly became clear that if he wanted to stay competitive beyond club racing, he would need to move up to the latest equipment. Committing fully to the next step, Mulcahy upgraded from the 991.2 Cup car to the newer 992-generation Cup car.
“I entered Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West with the 992 Cup car, starting with the season opener at Spring Mountain in March 2024,” he said.
“Spring Mountain was tough. It was a wet weekend, conditions were tricky, and I made a couple of mistakes. I spun twice during the races — just pushing a little too hard, trying to find the limit. But in Race 2, I pulled it together, kept it clean, and ended up earning the Hard Charger award for passing the most cars.
“That felt good because it showed that even when things go wrong early, you can regroup and still have a good result.
After that, we went to Utah Motorsports Campus. Unfortunately, that weekend ended badly. I was pushing hard, caught a curb wrong as I came out of a corner, and ended up rolling the car. It was a big crash. Thankfully, I walked away okay, but the car was pretty torn up.
“When I came back for Laguna Seca, it felt like things started clicking again. I had a new perspective after the crash — I was more focused, more patient.”
But it was Road America and Sonoma where things really turned a corner, and Mulcahy started fighting for podiums.
After finishing the Sprint Challenge USA West season, he had to make a decision. He could go back and fight for a championship in Sprint Challenge, or I could step up to Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
“It was a tough call because Sprint Challenge would’ve been the “safe” option — I had experience there now, I knew the tracks, and I would have had a real shot at winning the title,” Mulcahy said.
“Carrera Cup is a whole different level — bigger fields, higher pressure, tougher competition. But that’s exactly what I wanted.
“Sebring was my first Carrera Cup weekend. That event was massive. Huge fields, high intensity from the first session on. It felt like everything was cranked up — the talent level, the pressure, the expectations.”
The Californian came away from Sebring with fourth and fifth place finishes in the Pro-Am class in his debut at Sebring. After also driving a Porsche 911 GT3 R in GT America at Long Beach, Mulcahy now heads to the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix for round two of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship.
“Through this whole journey, the mindset I’ve taken is all about the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen — small, consistent improvements every day,” he said.
“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far — from Owner’s Days at PEC LA, to Sprint Challenge USA West, and now into Carrera Cup. But at the same time, I know this is just the beginning.
“I’m still learning. Still growing. Every session, every race, every mistake — it’s all part of the process
The fifth season of Porsche Carrera Cup North America stays in Florida for the second doubleheader round of the season. This time, the championship battle runs in support of Formula 1® during the Miami GP. The 3.362-mile, 19-turn circuit built around Hard Rock stadium in south Florida hosts the third and fourth of 16 races for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars (type 992). The 28-car grid will run on the Yokohama ADVAN racing slick for the second-consecutive year.
Two 30-minute practice sessions are scheduled for Friday, followed by qualifying and the first race of the weekend on Saturday, May 3. Sunday’s 40-minute race runs at 10:15 a.m., ahead of the Formula 1® race.
MIAMI FAST FACTS
Field.
28 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars are entered for competition at the Miami GP
- Pro class. 16
- Pro-Am class. 10
- Masters class. 2
- Teams. 12 race teams are represented across all three classes
Track Record.
1:56.014, 2023, Riley Dickinson, Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
2024 Race Winners.
- Pro.
- Race 1. Loek Hartog, Kellymoss
- Race 2. Zachary Vanier, JDX Racing
- Pro-Am.
- Race 1. Efrin Castro, Kellymoss
- Race 2. Moisey Uretsky, Baby Bull Racing
- Masters.
- Race 1 & 2. Mark Kvamme, MDK Motorsport
Point Leaders.
- Pro.
Riley Dickinson, No. 91 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Pro-Am.
JP Martinez, No. 4 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Masters.
Scott Blind, No. 45 Ruckus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Entrants. Kellymoss
Schedule.
All times Eastern
Friday, May 2.
2:25 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. – Practice 1
6:05 p.m. – 6:35 p.m. – Practice 2
Saturday, May 3.
1:40 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. – Qualifying
5:50 p.m. – 6:35 p.m. – Race 1 (40 minutes)
Sunday, May 4.
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Race 2 (40 minutes)
Miami Return.
The Miami round marks the first of three Porsche Carrera Cup North America races run in conjunction with Formula 1® Grands Prix this season, joining Montreal and Austin, Texas on the calendar. This is the third consecutive year that the 911 GT3 Cup cars have raced at Miami. Riley Dickinson swept the 2023 doubleheader on his way to the championship for Kellymoss, while Zachary Vanier earned his first career win in race 2 last season.
Hometown Dates.
Both JP Martinez and Angel Benitez call Miami home, and will sleep in their own beds this weekend. Florida has already been kind to Martinez, who swept the season opener at Sebring in the Pro-Am class in his Porsche Carrera Cup North America debut for ACI Motorsports. Benitez is in Pro Am for the first time with his FMS Motorsport team by virtue of turning 35 years old this season.
Scaling the Pyramid.
With his win at Miami a season ago, Zachary Vanier became the first person to win in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and in Porsche Carrera Cup North America. He returns to defend his race win after a third place finish to open the season at Sebring.
Latin American Stars.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America has attracted the best international drivers through its five-year history, and Latin American drivers are sure to be popular this weekend in Miami. Jimmy Llibre (Dominican Republic), Juan Pablo Vega (Colombia) and Matheus Leist (Brazil) run in the Pro Class; Javier Ripoli (Venezuela) runs in Pro-Am. Each calls a Latin American city his home town, while several others bring a Latin heritage to the event.
Selected Drivers.
Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) recently announced its picks for the 2025 Selected Driver program. Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship leader Riley Dickinson joined defending champion Loek Hartog and 2023 Carrera Cup runner-up Tom Sargent on the list. Dickinson is in his second season as a Porsche Selected Driver and is pulling double duty, driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport in GT4 America with ACI Motorsports in addition to his Carrera Cup North America duties for Kellymoss.
Junior Standouts.
PMNA named the 2025 Porsche EBOOST Junior Program members last week, offering aspiring drivers professional development opportunities, from grassroots levels to the international stage. The program includes not just Porsche Carrera Cup North America but also the single-make Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and Sprint Challenge USA West. Carrera Cup drivers participating in the program are Paul Bocuse, Tyler Maxon, Wesley Slimp, Yves Baltas and Zachary Vanier.
Class Descriptions.
Pro.
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.
Pro-Am.
Restricted to drivers who are 35 years old or older as of January 1, 2025. 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.
Masters.
This class is open to drivers who are 50 years old or older as of January 1, 2025. 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.
Entry List.
The full Porsche Carrera Cup North America entry list can be found by clicking here.
Partner Up.
Event results and current points for Porsche Carrera Cup North America can be found by clicking here.
Broadcast.
All races can be seen live on IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport North America social channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X.
Initiative Continues to Support and Elevate Female Talent in Motorsport
The Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program North America returns for the 2025 season with an enhanced commitment to supporting female racers. Now offering increased financial assistance, tailored driver development, and performance-based incentives, the program continues to empower women competing in both the Porsche Carrera Cup North America and the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama.
The Mobil 1 team and Porsche—two legendary names with deep roots in global motorsport—have once again united to advance their shared mission of promoting diversity and inclusion in racing. Through this initiative, the program provides promising female drivers with the tools, resources, and exposure needed to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
As part of the 2025 program, drivers Sabré Cook, Madeline Stewart, and Ashley Freiberg are each contesting the full Porsche Carrera Cup North America season. The journey continues this week with Round Two, held in conjunction with the prestigious Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.
Cook and Stewart are back in the championship after strong campaigns last year, while Freiberg joins the series as a rookie following her championship-winning ascent through Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama.
In the 2025 Sprint Challenge season, four additional female drivers—Therese Lahlouh, Loni Unser, Erika Hoffmann, and Anna Cecchi—have successfully competed in events spanning coast-to-coast, including rounds at Sebring International Raceway and Sonoma Raceway. Each of these talented competitors has proudly secured podium finishes in their respective classes, further highlighting the growing presence and success of women in motorsport.
“Our support of the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program reflects the Mobil 1 brand’s dedication to driving progress both on and off the track,” said Jennifer Durgin, North America Lubricants Marketing Director, on behalf of the Mobil 1 team. “We’re proud to help create more opportunities for women in motorsport and to empower the next generation of female drivers with the resources, visibility, and support they need to succeed. Inclusivity is essential to the future of racing, and this program is a key part of that vision.”
Launched in 2023, the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program is designed to support and elevate female talent in motorsport. The initiative offers 50 percent coverage of entry fees for participating drivers and awards a complimentary set of Yokohama tires to the highest-finishing female competitor at each round — reinforcing its commitment to both performance and accessibility in racing.
“It’s encouraging to see a growing number of women progressing through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, and we remain committed to supporting female drivers at every level,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.
“We’re seeing strong momentum with the return of Sabré and Madeline, Ashley’s continued development, and now three female drivers competing in Carrera Cup.”
“There’s still more work to do, but the program is clearly moving in the right direction.”
In addition to financial relief, the initiative offers professional development through exclusive workshops focused on driver education, career advancement, and industry networking.
“I was very fortunate to work with Porsche Motorsport North America in the very first season I entered Carrera Cup, becoming the first member of the Female Driver program,” shared Cook. “It’s incredible that they have expanded that support every year to help more and more female drivers, and it’s great to see how many women are now in Porsche single-make championships here in North America.”
Freiberg, the 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama 991 class champion, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative, stating: “The Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program is incredibly valuable. Having major brands like Mobil 1, Porsche, and Yokohama come together to support female drivers is meaningful on so many levels. I’m deeply passionate about increasing female participation in the series, and programs like this make a real difference.”
The 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup North America calendar features eight doubleheader weekends, including three marquee events held in support of Formula 1®. Meanwhile, the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama will host 14 races across seven rounds, with dedicated classes for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
“Porsche is a world-renowned brand, so being a part of any program they have is really important,” said Stewart. “I feel fortunate to be a part of it and think it gets stronger every year and continues to develop. The support they give is a big contribution to what gets me on the grid, so I’m very grateful.”
The second round of the 2025 Porsche Carrera Cup North America takes place this week at the Miami International Autodrome, home of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The event will feature two races and marks the first of three high-profile Formula 1 weekends on which the championship will compete this season.
Therese Lahlouh (GT3 Cup class), along with Loni Unser, Erika Hoffmann, and Anna Cecchi (all competing in the Cayman class), are set to return to Circuit of The Americas for the next round of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, taking place May 16–18.
To learn more, please visit: https://porschecarreracup.us/female-driver-program/.
About Mobil 1™
For 50 years, the Mobil 1 brand has been trusted by drivers to keep their engines running longer. Our products combine the latest technology and innovation to exceed the toughest standards of vehicle manufacturers and tuning shops—so consumers can get the most out of their time behind the wheel, both on the road and on the track. Turn every day into an adventure with Mobil 1 products, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand. Learn more at www.mobil1.us and follow @Mobil1Racing on Instagram and X.
About Porsche Motorsport North America™
Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA), founded in 1985, is the only authorized sales, parts and service provider in the United States and Canada for all purpose-built Porsche race cars including the 963, 911 GT3 R, 911 GT3 Cup and Cayman 718 GT4 RS Clubsport. PMNA provides engine and transmission servicing, on-site race support and restoration services for historic Porsche race cars. A wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, PMNA is headquartered in 15,000 square feet of the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles.
Porsche Motorsport North America will continue to pave the way for emerging motorsport talent through a comprehensive expansion of the Porsche EBOOST Junior Program in 2025.
The initiative, part of Porsche’s global Motorsport Development Pyramid, offers aspiring drivers professional development opportunities, from grassroots levels to the international stage.
The program supports racers starting in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, and continues its support in Porsche Carrera Cup North America – the premier one-make series in North America
The 2025 Porsche EBOOST Junior Driver Program members include:
Porsche Carrera Cup North America
- Paul Bocuse
- Tyler Maxon
- Wesley Slimp
- Yves Baltas
- Zachary Vanier
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama
- Anna Cecchi
- Cole Kleck
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama
- Daniel Hanley
- Luke French
Bocuse, Baltas, and Vanier return for 2025 after being part of the EBOOST-backed program last year. The 17-year-old Bocuse actually enters his third consecutive season in the program. In his first season in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama in 2003, he won the GT4 Cayman Sprint Challenge and last year finished second in the GT3 Cup Sprint Challenge. This season he made the step up to Porsche Carrera Cup North America, contesting the championship with JDX Racing.
Drivers in the program are offered training in racecraft, chassis setup, tire management, fitness, and media handling. Performance incentives include complimentary entries and tire packages, with standout participants receiving further opportunities in higher-tier Porsche series.
The drivers will again get the opportunity to lean on program mentors. Porsche legend Patrick Long will continue in this role again in 2025.
Long is the most successful American Porsche factory driver in history, with a career spanning over two decades and highlighted by multiple class wins at Le Mans, Daytona, and Sebring.
Additionally, the recently retired two-time Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup champion Richard Westbrook has been added for additional mentor support for 2025. Westbrook was Supercup champion in 2006 and 2007. This championship success launched a massively successful endurance racing career, which secured major wins at the Daytona 24 Hour, Sebring 12 Hour, as well as multiple Le Mans podiums.
Westbrook hung up his helmet after his final race at Petit Le Mans last year aboard the JDC-Miller Motorsports Porsche 963.
“I’m really looking forward to working with young drivers this season,” Westbrook said.
“When I started my career, there were a lot of experienced guys who helped me, and now that I’ve retired, I’m keen to return the favor. Helping these young racers is really rewarding. It’s not just about how they drive the car, but it’s every aspect of a race weekend, working with the team, sponsors, the fans – there is a lot to it.
“After my single-seater days, I was basically out of racing until I got the chance to drive the Porsche Cup car. Those championship wins in Supercup paved the way to a rewarding career in endurance racing – I’m hoping some of these get the same opportunity.”
While the Junior Program members will again head to Porsche Penske Motorsport’s headquarters in July for their annual two-day workshop, the 2025 program has been expanded to include mentoring sessions at multiple rounds of Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
The Carrera Cup members of the program were tutored on the importance of mental preparation by Dr Jacques Dallaire of Performance Prime at the opening round at Sebring. For next week’s second round at the F1 Miami Grand Prix, the social media team from Yokohama will host a session for the participating drivers about content creation and online brand management.
Program features also include:
- Drivers can use the designation Official Porsche Junior Driver of Porsche Motorsport North America.
- The junior driver who earns the most points each race weekend wins a set of Yokohama race tires and free entry into the next round of their championship.
- Access to the annual Porsche Junior Workshop for education on becoming a professional race car driver.
- Racers from Porsche Carrera Cup North America have the chance to be nominated by Porsche Motorsport North America to attend the Global Porsche Junior Selection program, where young racers from across the globe compete to become the global Porsche Junior.
Since its inception in 1997, Porsche’s Junior Program has been instrumental in developing world-class drivers. Notable alumni include current Porsche Penske Motorsport stars Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, Kevin Estre, and Julien Andlauer, as well as the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD champion, Laurin Heinrich.
“At Porsche, developing young talent isn’t just a program—it’s part of our DNA,” said Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO, Volker Holzmeyer.
“From the early days of our Junior initiative in the late 1990s, we’ve seen drivers like Timo Bernhard, Jörg Bergmeister, and Patrick Long rise through the ranks to championship success. The Porsche Motorsport North America EBOOST Junior Program continues that legacy here in the U.S., creating a clear, merit-based pathway from grassroots racing to the highest levels of international competition.
“It’s about giving deserving young drivers the tools, mentorship, and competitive platform to succeed—on and off the track.”
“In North America, we have such a huge market, we have so much talent. That’s why we want to show them the pathway to reach the top level with Porsche.
“Our goal is to develop talent here in the US to the stage where they could be considered to be part of Porsche’s global Junior Program, and eventually, get the opportunity to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with our factory teams.”
The next step beyond the Porsche Motorsport North America Junior Program is the Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver program. The 2025 members of the Selected Driver program were announced earlier this week and features three former Junior Program members, Loek Hartog, Riley Dickinson, and Tom Sargent.
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