Loftsgard Leads Opening Practice at Laguna Seca

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Cole Loftsgard led the way in opening practice for this weekend’s Mustang Challenge North America round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Round 3 Racing driver, who swept the opening weekend at Sebring International Raceway, reeled off a chart-topping 1:33.172 in his No. 42 Mustang Dark Horse R.

It was 0.349 seconds faster than Sandy Satullo in the No. 7 Wheelhouse entry, who was second quickest, with teammate Will Lucas slotting in third.

Michael Tosi, also of Wheelhouse and Automatic Racing’s Tate Pritt completed the top-five.

Quickest in Dark Horse Legends was the No. 63 Mustang of Joseph Dederichs.

The 30-minute session saw a single red flag following an incident between the No. 9 Paley Motorsports with AAG Racing entry of Chris Clarke and Jim Farley’s No. 17 Trackhouse entry.

Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor Company, drove his car behind the wall at the orange overlap at pit exit, while Clarke’s car remained on track after the incident.

Clarke was handed a penalty for bringing out the red flag, which will result in the loss of his fastest qualifying lap.

Practice 2 is on tap for 1 p.m. PST, with qualifying set for 5:10 p.m. PST this evening.

RESULTS: Practice 1

Source: Sports Car 365