2020 GT World Challenge America explained

The 2020 GT World Challenge America powered by AWS is the 14th season of the United States Auto Club's GT World Challenge America, the third season under ownership of the SRO Motorsports Group and the first season without Blancpain sponsorship.^[1] The season began on 7 March in Austin and will end on 4 October at Indianapolis.

Calendar

At the annual press conference during the 2019 24 Hours of Spa on 26 July, the Stéphane Ratel Organisation announced the first draft of the 2020 calendar with Las Vegas being dropped from the schedule in favor of Indianapolis.^[2] Austin was removed from the provisional calendar on 25 October,^[3] before it would return on 8 November after extensive discussions with team owners and stakeholders. The round at Indianapolis became a non-points paying event.^[4]

Calendar changes due to COVID-19 pandemicThe round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was cancelled. The round at Virginia was moved from 6–7 June to 11–12 July. The round at Indianapolis is back to being a points paying event to replace the cancelled rounds at CTMP with the first three hours of the Indianapolis 8 Hour Intercontinental GT race counting towards the championship.

Round	Circuit	Date
1	Circuit of the Americas, Elroy, Texas	7–8 March
2	Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia	11–12 July
3	Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California	8–9 August
4	Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin	29–30 August
5	Circuit of the Americas, Elroy, Texas	19–20 September
6	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana	4 October
Cancelled due to the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic
Circuit		Original Date
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario		16–17 May

Entry list

The Pro Cup class was eliminated from the series for this season.^[5]

Team Car Drivers Class Rounds Squadra Corse^[6] TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 1 Martin Fuentes PA 1–2, 4–6 Rodrigo Baptista 1–2, 4–5 Alessandro Balzan 6 Mark Issa 6 24 Ziad Ghandour PA 1, 3 Matteo Cressoni 1 Jeff Segal 3 31 John Megrue^[7] Am 2 Bill Sweedler DXDT Racing^[8] Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 04 Colin Braun PA All George Kurtz Ben Keating 6 63 David Askew^[9] PA All Ryan Dalziel Richard Heistand 6 Vital Speed^[10] Ferrari 488 GT3 6 Rich Baek Am 1 Mark Issa Ryan Briscoe PA 6 Trevor Baek Jeff Westphal 7 Trevor Baek PA 1 Jeff Westphal K-PAX Racing^[11] Bentley Continental GT3 8 Patrick Byrne PA 1 Guy Cosmo GMG Racing^[12] Porsche 911 GT3 R 14 Jeroen Bleekemolen PA 1, 3 James Sofronas Wright Motorsports^[13] Porsche 911 GT3 R 20 Fred Poordad Am 1–4 Max Root Fred Poordad PA 5–6 Jan Heylen Max Root 6 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 33 Russell Ward PA 1–3 Bryce Ward 1 Kris Wilson^[14] 2–3 Russell Ward S 4–5 Indy Dontje 4 Alec Udell 5 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R 73 David Ducote Am 1 Alan Metni Racers Edge Motorsports^[15] Acura NSX GT3 80 Kyle Marcelli PA 1–2, 5 Martin Barkey 1–2 Ziad Ghandour 5 93 Shelby Blackstock^[16] S All Trent Hindman Robert Megennis 6 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M6 GT3 87 Greg Liefooghe PA 1 Henry Schmitt

Icon Class S Silver Cup PA Pro-Am Cup Am Am Cup

Race results

Bold indicates overall winner.

Round		Circuit	Pole position	Silver Winners	Pro-Am Winners	Am Winners
1	1	Austin	No. 14 GMG Racing	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 14 GMG Racing	No. 20 Wright Motorsports
			Jeroen Bleekemolen James Sofronas	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Jeroen Bleekemolen James Sofronas	Fred Poordad Max Root
	R2		No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 1 Squadra Corse	No. 20 Wright Motorsports
			Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes	Fred Poordad Max Root
2	R1	Virginia	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 80 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 31 TR3 Racing
			Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Martin Barkey Kyle Marcelli	John Megrue Bill Sweedler
	R2		No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 04 DXDT Racing	No. 31 TR3 Racing
			Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Colin Braun George Kurtz	John Megrue Bill Sweedler
3	R1	Sonoma	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 1 Squadra Corse	No. 20 Wright Motorsports
			Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes	Fred Poordad Max Root
	R2		No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 14 GMG Racing	No. 20 Wright Motorsports
			Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Jeroen Bleekemolen James Sofronas	Fred Poordad Max Root
4	R1	Road America	No. 33 Winward Racing	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 1 Squadra Corse	No. 20 Wright Motorsports
			Indy Dontje Russell Ward	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes	Fred Poordad Max Root
	R2		No. 63 DXDT Racing	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 04 DXDT Racing	No. 20 Wright Motorsports
			David Askew Ryan Dalziel	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Colin Braun George Kurtz	Fred Poordad Max Root
5	R1	Austin	No. 1 Squadra Corse	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 1 Squadra Corse	No Entries
			Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes
	R2		No. 1 Squadra Corse	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 1 Squadra Corse
			Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes	Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman	Rodrigo Baptista Martin Fuentes
6	Indianapolis	No. 34 Walkenhorst Motorsport	No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports	No. 04 DXDT Racing
Nicky Catsburg Augusto Farfus Connor De Phillippi		Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman Robert Megennis	Colin Braun Ben Keating George Kurtz

Points system

Scoring systemChampionship points are awarded for the first ten positions in each race. Entries are required to complete 75% of the winning car's race distance in order to be classified and earn points. Individual drivers are required to participate for a minimum of 40 minutes in order to earn championship points in any race.

Standard Points

Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th
Points	25	18	15	12	10	8	6	4	2	1

Indianapolis Points

Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th
Points	50	36	30	24	20	16	12	8	4	2

Drivers' championship

Driver Team AUS1 VIR SON ELK AUS2 IND Points Silver class 1 Shelby Blackstock Trent Hindman Racers Edge Motorsports 1 1 2 7 5 1 1 1 2 2 3 300 2 Russell Ward Winward Racing 2 2 3 4 72 3 Indy Dontje Winward Racing 2 2 36 4 Alec Udell Winward Racing 3 4 36 Pro-Am class 1 Martin Fuentes Squadra Corse 4 2 3 3 1 6 4 5 1 1 2 234 2 Colin Braun George Kurtz DXDT Racing 3 3 5 1 3 4 6 3 WD WD 1 199 3 Rodrigo Baptista Squadra Corse 4 2 3 3 1 6 4 5 1 1 198 4 David Askew Ryan Dalziel DXDT Racing 14 5 4 6 4 5 5 4 5 5 Ret 134 5 Kyle Marcelli Racers Edge Motorsports 5 6 1 2 6 6 89 6 Ziad Ghandour TR3 Racing 6 4 6 7 73 Racers Edge Motorsports 6 6 7 Martin Barkey Racers Edge Motorsports 5 6 1 2 65 8 Jeroen Bleekemolen James Sofronas GMG Racing 2 9 DSQ 3 58 9 Fred Poordad Jan Heylen Wright Motorsports 4 3 NC 36 10 Russell Ward Winward Racing 9 DNS 7 4 WD WD 28 11 Matteo Cressoni TR3 Racing 6 4 25 12 Kris Wilson Winward Racing 7 4 WD WD 22 13 Jeff Segal TR3 Racing 6 7 22 14 Trevor Baek Jeff Westphal Vital Speed 8 10 14 15 Patrick Byrne Guy Cosmo K-PAX Racing 10 11 WD WD 8 16 Bryce Ward Winward Racing 9 DNS 6 17 Greg Liefooghe Henry Schmitt Stephen Cameron Racing 11 Ret 2 Drivers ineligible to score points Alessandro Balzan Squadra Corse 2 – Am class 1 Fred Poordad Max Root Wright Motorsports 7 7 8 8 2 2 3 6 186 2 John Megrue Bill Sweedler TR3 Racing 6 5 50 3 David Ducote Alan Metni Park Place Motorsports 12 8 36 4 Rich Baek Mark Issa Vital Speed 13 Ret 15 valign=middle valign=middle Driver valign=middle Team AUS1 VIR SON ELK AUS2 IND valign=middle Points

Bold – Pole Italics – Fastest Lap

Teams' championship

	Team	Manufacturer	AUS1		VIR		SON		ELK		AUS2		IND	Points
Silver class
1	Racers Edge Motorsports	Acura	1	1	2	7	5	1	1	1	2	2	3	300
2	Winward Racing	Mercedes-AMG							2	2	3	4		72
Pro-Am class
1	Squadra Corse	Ferrari	4	2	3	3	1	6	4	5	1	1	2	239
2	DXDT Racing	Mercedes-AMG	3	3	4	1	3	4	5	3	5	5	1	235
3	Racers Edge Motorsports	Acura	5	6	1	2					6	6		91
4	GMG Racing	Porsche	2	9			DSQ	3						60
5	TR3 Racing	Ferrari	6	4			6	7						52
6	Wright Motorsports	Porsche									4	3	NC	36
7	Winward Racing	Mercedes-AMG	9	DNS	7	4	WD	WD						30
8	Vital Speed	Ferrari	8	10										16
9	K-PAX Racing	Bentley	10	11	WD	WD								10
10	Stephen Cameron Racing	BMW	11	Ret										2
Am class
1	Wright Motorsports	Porsche	7	7	8	8	2	2	3	6				186
2	TR3 Racing	Ferrari			6	5								50
3	Park Place Motorsports	Porsche	12	8										36
4	Vital Speed	Ferrari	13	Ret										15
valign=middle		valign=middle	Team	valign=middle	Manufacturer	AUS1		VIR		SON		ELK		AUS2		IND	valign=middle	Points

Manufacturers' championship

	Manufacturer	AUS1		VIR		SON		ELK		AUS2		IND	Points
1	Acura	1	1	1	2	4	1	1	1	2	2	3	246
2	Ferrari	4	2	2	3	1	4	4	3	1	1	2	213
3	Mercedes-AMG	3	3	3	1	3	3	2	2	3	4	1	213
4	Porsche	2	4	4	4	2	2	3	4	4	3		144
5	Lamborghini												0
	Manufacturer	AUS1		VIR		SON		ELK		AUS2		IND	Points

Source:^[17]

See also

• 2020 GT World Challenge Europe
• 2020 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
• 2020 GT World Challenge Asia
• 2020 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup

Notes and References

1. News: Blancpain and SRO Motorsports Group conclude successful 10-year partnership. 17 December 2019. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
2. News: SRO America Schedules Released; Indy Round Added. Lloyd. Daniel. 26 July 2019. sportscar365. John Dagys Media. 7 January 2020.
3. News: SRO America Confirms Reduced Six-Round Schedule for 2020. Dagys. John. 25 October 2019. sportscar365. John Dagys Media. 7 January 2020.
4. News: Circuit of the Americas To Kick Off 2020 GT World Challenge America. 8 November 2019. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
5. News: GT3 Pro Class to Be Eliminated in 2020. Dagys. John. 20 October 2019. sportscar365. John Dagys Media. 9 July 2020.
6. News: GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Opens 2020 Season at Circuit of The Americas. 28 February 2020. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
7. News: Green! Green! Green! VIRginia International Raceway Readies for Roar of GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Series, GT Sports Club America Series Debut. 7 July 2020. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
8. News: CrowdStrike Racing Expands Motorsports Program for 2020. 11 February 2020. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
9. News: Dalziel, Askew Return to DXDT in Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. Dagys. John. 18 February 2020. sportscar365. John Dagys Media. 18 February 2020.
10. News: Vital Speed Ferrari Returns; Westphal Joins Team. Kilshaw. Jake. 5 February 2020. sportscar365. John Dagys Media. 7 February 2020.
11. News: K-PAX Racing Maintains American Program for 2020. 9 January 2020. kpaxracing.com. K-PAX Racing. 9 July 2020.
12. News: GMG ready for large and diverse roster of racing 2020. 2 March 2020. gmgracing.com. GMG Racing. 9 July 2020.
13. News: Wright Motorsports Gears Up for GT World Challenge America Campaign with Root and Poordad. 2 March 2020. wrightmotorsports.com. Wright Motorsports. 9 July 2020.
14. News: Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Return to North American Competition in July. 6 July 2020. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
15. News: Racers Edge Returns to Defend GT World Challenge America Title. 13 December 2019. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
16. News: Trent Hindman and Shelby Blackstock Team Up In NSX GT3 Evo To Run 2020 SRO GT World Challenge Americas. 28 February 2020. gt-world-challenge-america.com. SRO Motorsports Group. 9 July 2020.
17. Web site: Standings GT World Challenge America Brands 2020. 2021-09-10. Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. en-US.