A Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport field dared to test the track on Friday and Saturday at Sonoma.
Mixed conditions and high stakes defined the weekend at Sonoma Raceway, where Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama competitors faced the season’s most demanding weekends. From drying lines to late‑race rain, the unpredictable weather tested driver patience, tire management, and race craft across both races.
Weather no match for Hankins in GT3 Cup at Sonoma.
Brannan Hankins withstood the elements at a wild and wild Sonoma Raceway to walk away with two Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama overall victories in the GT3 Cup Pro-Am class.
A field of Porsche 911 GT3 Cups and 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports dared to test the track on Friday and Saturday – and even survived a downpour on the final lap of Race 2 to close out the weekend. But with his victory, Hankins further extends the class championship lead he and his Loftus Motorsports team built from Rounds 1 and 2 at APEX Motor Club back in February.
Marc Crigler finished second behind Hankins at Sonoma, and remains in the season-long title hunt.
Similar to Hankins’ performance, Laura Ely captured both GT3 Cup Masters victories in Northern California with Black Sheep Racing. Ely started first overall in Race 1 and then outside the front row of Race 2 en route to her pair of wins. Next to Ely on the podium was Henry Marshall in second place.
Justin Lewis impresses with breakthrough win.
Justin Lewis delivered the defining performance in the Cayman class at Sonoma Raceway, capitalizing on wet conditions on Saturday to earn his first Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West Masters class victory and an impressive second‑overall finish in Race 2.
As rain intensified late in the race, Lewis kept his Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport clean and consistent while others struggled, turning the changing conditions into an opportunity.
Greg Herback, driving for ACI Motorsports, led flag‑to‑flag in Race 1 to claim the opening Masters win and started Saturday’s race from the lead. However, Lewis adapted quickly as the track evolved, managing grip levels in the wet to take control and secure the victory.
With the season approaching its halfway point, Lewis and the Lewis Racing team remain in close contention with Herback in the Masters championship battle.
In the Pro‑Am class, Zac Bradford collected both class wins with ZRB Motorsports over the Sonoma weekend.
A full-circle moment at Sonoma.
The Sonoma weekend also featured a meaningful full-circle moment within the
Standing in front of the group, Lewis reflected on his own experience attending a GT Track Day less than a year earlier, when he listened to a similar Q&A session and absorbed insights from drivers and industry leaders. Now, in a role reversal, Lewis shared his personal journey into racing, offering perspective and encouragement to participants who found themselves in the same position he once occupied.
Texas on the horizon.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama heads to the Lone Star State for another stacked weekend on May 7 – 9. The COTA event will once again run alongside Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and will also welcome Porsche GT Track Day for its first visit to the iconic Formula 1 venue.
All Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America's
Results.
Race 1
GT3 Cup Pro-Am
Brannan Hankins #295
Mark Crigler #204
GT3 Cup Masters
Laura Ely #209
Manuel Gil Del Real #270
Henry Marshall #278
Cayman Pro-Am
Zac Bradford #14
Cayman Masters
Greg Herback #49
Justin Lewis #75
Race 2
GT3 Cup Pro-Am
Brannan Hankins #295
Mark Crigler #204
GT3 Cup Masters
Laura Ely #209
Cayman Pro-Am
Zac Bradford #14
Cayman Masters
Justin Lewis #75
Greg Herback #49
