Michael Valiante made sure of the checkered flag at this year’s sports car race at Kansas Speedway.
Valiante held off a challenge by runner-up Wayne Nonnamaker in a Porsche Cayman, driving the Honda of America Racing Team's Civic Si to victory for the first time this season.
Last year, the Burnaby race driver was penalized after finishing first in the street tuner class in the inaugural Continental Tire Challenge race in Kansas.
On Saturday, Valiante took over from co-driver Chad Gilsinger and grabbed the lead with 45 minutes remaining in the 150-hour race and didn’t miss a beat.
Valiante got by pole sitter Rebel Rock Racing’s Charles Espenlaub in another Cayman and then held off a still challenge from Team Sahlen to post HART’s first podium win.
Nonnamaker, who set a race lap record time of 1:27.416 in the Team Sahlen Porsche over the 2.37-mile circuit, made numerous attempts to pass, but all were unsuccessful.
“This was one of the toughest wins I’ve had,” said Valiante in a IMSA media release. “I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes, particularly when they are on your bumper. I kept telling myself, ‘hit your marks, hit your marks,’ and get good exit shots, and I was able to pull it off.”
Valiante, who also drives a Daytona prototype Chevrolet for the Spirit of Daytona team is currently tied for fifth place in the Tudor United Sportscar Championship.
Burnaby’s Remo Ruscitti, who was in sixth place in the street tuner driver standings in another Porsche prior to the race, posted the second-fastest lap time of the day at 1:27.611, but finished in 23rd place after completing just 75 laps in the race.
Next race is June 28 at Watkins Glen, New York.
