Stiak Earns Win, Maxson Clinches Pro Title in Race 1 at COTA
Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche
Janne Stiak powered into the lead on the opening lap in the No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2) and held on to claim the overall and Pro class victory in Race 1 of Porsche Carrera Cup North America at Circuit of The Americas on Saturday afternoon, while Tyler Maxson clinched the Pro championship in the No. 77 Topp Racing Porsche.
Pro championship contenders Aaron Jeansonne in the No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche and Maxson battled for second throughout the race, with the outcome ultimately playing a key role in the title fight.
Stiak took advantage at the start to move ahead of Maxson for the lead, while Jeansonne advanced to second on the opening lap, relegating Maxson to third.
Jeansonne maintained his position as Maxson gradually closed the gap, putting pressure on the second-place runner before a full-course yellow was called with less than 20 minutes remaining.
The first full course yellow was triggered by an incident involving Josh Conley in the No. 29 Kellymoss Porsche, which became stranded in the gravel at the end of the Turn 1 straightaway.
The No. 98 CHR Porsche of Dan Drohan was also involved in the incident and received a 30-second time penalty for contact with Conley.
Racing resumed with nine minutes remaining, but a three-car incident involving Matt Smith in the No. 74 ACI Motorsports Porsche, Kyle Washington in GMG Racing’s No. 32 entry and Marco Cirone in the No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche unfolded on the straight approaching Turn 1 shortly after the restart.
The incident brought out another full-course yellow, with the race finishing under caution.
Stiak held on for the overall victory, while Jeansonne finished second and Maxson third, with the same order in the Pro class.
Despite finishing behind Jeansonne, Maxson secured the Pro championship ahead of Sunday’s season finale. His Race 2 pole position proved decisive in clinching the title.
In Masters, Scott Blind led from the start to claim the class victory in the No. 45 Ruckus Racing Porsche, while Rob Walker moved ahead of Washington midway through the race in the No. 53 JTR Motorsports Engineering entry.
Washington, who was caught up in the second full-course yellow incident, lost his chance at a podium finish after starting sixth. The incident helped elevate Joel Johnson to third in the No. 70 JDX Racing Porsche.
In Pro-Am, GMG Racing’s James Sofronas continued his strong weekend by leading all 13 laps to claim the class victory.
2026 class champion Patrick Mulcahy finished second in ACI Motorsports’ No. 54 Porsche, while Steve Wetterau completed the podium in the No. 58 Kellymoss entry.
The season finale, Race 2, is scheduled for Sunday at 10:35 a.m. CDT and will stream live on Peacock and the Porsche Motorsport North America and IMSA YouTube channels.
RESULTS: Race 1
Source: Sports Car 365