One year after a devastating accident that ruined any championship hopes for the Pirelli World Challenge GT-Cup category, Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG) Alec Udell would complete a successful weekend on the streets St. Petersburg, Florida, with a series of second-place finishes during both rounds of the weekend.

“I’d be lying if I said I’m entirely happy with two second-place finishes, we came out to win,” stated Udell. “However after a difficult practice, we’re still pleased with what we were able to achieve. The guys had a lot of work in front of them with some of the damage we took on Thursday, so getting on the podium was entirely in tribute to them. I did enjoy the racing, and I think we showed our strengths on Sunday, which should prime us well for Long Beach. We’re looking forward to it.”

<img src="http://gmgracing.exitrowstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/podium.jpg" alt="Alex Udell Podium at St. Petersburg World Challenge" width="1000" height="750" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2829" srcset="http://gmgracing.exitrowstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/podium.jpg 1000w, http://gmgracing.exitrowstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/podium-300×225.jpg 300w, http://www.gmgracing viagra generika online kaufen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/podium-200×150.jpg 200w” sizes=”(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px” />

Driving the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsports / Panther Pipeline / Amsource Capital Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the 20-year old came in to the weekend with strong ambitions for victory, looking to redeem a start-line accident suffered in the first race last year. Unfortunately, the weekend did not go as planned when Alec would suffer damage in a practice accident on Thursday, cutting his day short and forcing the team to work quickly on repairs. While the damage was repairable, the Clemson University student would have to sit out Friday’s qualifying session, meaning he would start at the back during Saturday’s Race One.

Starting from the back, Alec would waste little time in Race One working his way up through the field, pushing hard to get himself in to a podium position and eventually taking second. He would also set the second-fastest time in class, meaning he would start in second for Sunday’s festivities.

Making a strong start during Sunday’s Race Two, it was clear that Alec had the pace to make a challenge at race leader Sloan Urry, however a long series of caution periods would mean that Udell had little opportunity due to limited running under green flag periods. As the checkered flag fell, Alec would cross the line just behind the race winner, officially listed as three-tenths behind. Demonstrating his pace, the Texas native would also set the fastest lap of the race in their class.
While ultimately not a victory, Udell’s successive string of second-place finishes would keep him solidly in the championship hunt, and his pace demonstrated his pace and potential for the rest of the season.

Following back-to-back events to open the season, the entire GMG team will get a small amount of reprieve as the series will not return until one month’s time, competing in the team’s backyard at The Grand Prix of Long Beach. Practice begins Friday, April 15, with the race taking place on the morning of Sunday, April 17.