Russell Ward and Mikael Grenier were the overall winners of Sunday's GT World Challenge America race.
Russell Ward and Mikael Grenier were the overall winners of Sunday's GT World Challenge America race.
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Ward & Grenier Put Mercedes In VIR Victory Lane

June 6, 2021

ALTON, Va. – After a series of unexpected events and resulting consequences, a shaken and stirred field closed out the weekend with the No. 33 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Russell Ward and Mikael Grenier on the top step of the pro podium during Sunday’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America event at Virginia Int’l Raceway.

The No. 77 Compass Racing Acura NSX GT3 driven by Michael Di Meo and Matt McMurry topped the Pro-Am class, with the No. 61 AF Corse Jean-Claude Saada Team Ferrari 488 GT3 piloted by Jean-Claude Saada and Conrad Grunewald topping the Am class.

Grenier and Jan Heylen, aboard the No. 20 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, pulled away from the field while also battling for the race lead. Soon Ward took control of the No. 33 and would eventually track down and pass the No. 20 Porsche, with Fred Poordad now at the wheel, for the overall and class leads.

The lead would continue to grow for Ward as Poordad was forced to serve a drive-through penalty for a pit road infraction during the mandatory driver challenge.

Ward would lead the rest of the way to give the No. 77 team the overall victory.