Three Utah residents raced this weekend with strong showings that included podium appearances and a weekend sweep in the Pirelli World Challenge held at Miller Motorsports Park.
Over 90 drivers raced this weekend in the Pirelli World Challenge. With the 2015 season coming to a close, the drivers from seven different race classes raced through the entire weekend in front of large crowds.
The Ford Supercar Grand Prix of Utah featured drivers from four GT/GTA classes in Rounds 16 and 17, with GT Cup drivers running Rounds 14 and 15. Drivers in the GTS class raced Rounds 13 and 14, while the touring car class TC/TCA/TCB competitors had the biggest weekend competing in Rounds 13, 14 and 15.
Vesko Kozarov, of Salt Lake City, in the No. 23 Nissan/Skullcandy/Stance Skullcandy Team Nissan, swept the touring car (TC) class with three wins this weekend in rounds 13, 14 and 15. Aside from the TC class races, Kozarov also competed in the GTS class races, taking home a third and second place win through the weekend.
“I am definitely excited about how we ran in the TC races this weekend,” said Kozarov. “The car ran great and the race was very straightforward. Being a resident of Utah and being able to race at Miller Motorsports Park often allowed us to be extremely well prepared for us to come out and put down three solid races. A sweep is a great feeling, and it really showcases the strength of team preparation.”
Kozarov’s teammate and female team owner Lara Tallman returned to the driver's seat this weekend posting three straight top-10 finishes, coming in sixth, seventh and fifth.
“I don’t get to race as often as I would like being the owner of the team,” said Tallman. “Being able to race here at Miller, in front of the home crowd and to have a strong showing as a team is so wonderful. We work hard at Skullcandy Team Nissan and we all individually put everything we have into this. We love racing and this weekend we were able to give the home crowd something to cheer about. I am definitely thrilled with how I was able to race this weekend, especially with having to balance my time as the owner and driver. Vesko (Kozarov) has been a great asset to me as a driver and as an owner from the beginning when I first began to pursue this career in 2006. He showed this weekend why he is such a key part to Skullcandy Team Nissan.”
TruSpeed Autosport's Sloan Urry, a Salt Lake City native, sat second in championship points coming into the weekend, with 1,139 points due to five runner-up finishes and three third-place finishes on the season to this point. Urry piloted his No. 02 Security National/Engel & Volkers Porsche 911 to another pair of third-place finishes through the weekend.
“Being able to race here at Miller and in front of the home crowd is amazing,” said Urry. “I got my start as a professional racer here at Miller Motorsports Park through the Ford Racing School. I was very fortunate to meet some great people who have shaped my career into what it is today. Even though I wanted to win for the home crowd this weekend, and have a win on the track where this all began, I am pleased with how I raced and the third-place finishes. I have always said that racing is my passion in life, and I don’t know what I would be doing without it. The joy I get from racing is second to none, and it never would have been possible without the facilities and programs that are featured here at Miller Motorsports Park.”
The Pirelli World Challenge series was making its eighth appearance at Miller Motorsports Park over the weekend. The series first raced at the track in 2006 and has grown each year, with 2015 being the inaugural season for GT Cup.
For a full list of results from the entire weekend of racing, visit the Results page for the Pirelli World Challenge http://www.world-challenge.com/index.php?Itemid=159&option=com_drivers&view=results
Tyler Tate is the owner and operator of T Squared Action Sports, Clean Lines Productions and the senior Action Sports analyst for 120 Sports TV. Follow him for the best action sports coverage on all social media platforms: T Squared Sports