Porsche Carrera Cup North America concluded its weekend at Watkins Glen International with two dramatically different races, as Janne Stiak celebrated his maiden series victory before championship leader Tyler Maxson bounced back in Race 2 to return to the top step of the podium.

Race 1 Recap

In Race 1, Janne Stiak capitalized on an unfortunate puncture suffered by Pro class championship leader Tyler Maxson in the No. 77 Topp Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to claim his first series victory aboard the No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Stiak’s breakthrough win did not come without a challenge, however. JDX Racing’s Callum Hedge applied relentless pressure to the series newcomer throughout the closing laps, making one final charge for the lead. Despite Hedge’s efforts, Stiak held firm to secure the victory, while Hedge settled for second in the No. 9 JDX Racing Porsche. Aaron Jeansonne completed the overall podium with a third-place finish in the No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche.

The Masters category was turned upside down on the opening lap following a multi-car incident involving polesitter Scott Blind (No. 45, Ruckus Racing), Rob Walker (No. 53, JTR Motorsports Engineering), and Chris Bellomo (No. 68, Kellymoss). The incident also collected Pro class competitor Alan Metni (No. 99, Kellymoss), eliminating several contenders and bringing out the race’s only full-course caution.

The caution reset the field and set up an entertaining battle for the class victory. Richard Edge appeared to have claimed the Masters win after taking the lead late in the race in the No. 18 ACI Motorsports Porsche. However, a post-race 10-second time penalty dropped Edge to fourth, handing the victory to teammate Matt Smith in the No. 74 ACI Motorsports entry after he led seven of the race’s 19 laps. The penalty also promoted Alain Scalzo to second in the No. 26 Scalzo Autosport Porsche, while John Goetz completed the Masters podium in third aboard the No. 57 Kellymoss entry.

In the two-car Am class, Patrick Mulcahy completed an ACI Motorsports clean sweep of the class, driving the No. 54 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to a composed victory. Josh Conley finished second to complete the podium in the No. 29 Kellymoss Porsche.

Race 2 Recap

Race 2 on Saturday saw Tyler Maxson bounce back from Friday’s disappointing retirement to return to the top step of the podium, claiming both the overall and Pro class victory in the No. 77 Topp Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with a commanding six-second margin of victory. Race 1 winner Janne Stiak once again held off Callum Hedge to secure second place, while Hedge completed the Pro podium in third.

In the Masters class, Matt Smith completed a weekend sweep after taking the lead on the opening lap and pacing all 19 laps to claim his second victory of the weekend. Scott Blind rebounded from Friday’s opening-lap incident, charging from fourth to second to earn a podium finish. Marco Cirone rounded out the Masters podium in third aboard the No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche, giving ACI Motorsports two of the three podium positions in class.

In the Am class, Patrick Mulcahy also completed a perfect weekend, earning his second class victory in as many races. Josh Conley once again finished second to round out the two-car Am field and podium.