Barletta, Foley Break Through to Win Fox Factory 120

BRASELTON, Ga. – They say timing is everything, and that was certainly the case Friday in the Fox Factory 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

The complexion of the two-hour race changed dramatically with 43 minutes remaining when Mathew Pombo buried the No. 73 LA Honda World Honda Civic TCR deep into the Turn 1 tire barrier, bringing out a full-course caution at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

That had a direct impact on the overall leader of the race – dominant pole winner Tyler McQuarrie in the Grand Sport (GS) class No. 39 CarBahn with Peregrine racing Audi R8 GT4.

McQuarrie had led from the start but yet to hand the car off to co-driver Jeff Westphal by the time the pits opened with 37 minutes to go. It meant Westphal could not meet IMSA’s 40-minute minimum-drive-time requirement.

The nightmare scenario for the No. 39 left the door open for Vincent Barletta and Robby Foley to claim the win for Turner Motorsport in the No. 96 BMW M4 GT4. Foley led the final 17 laps for his second Pilot Challenge win of the season, and the first for Barletta. Foley teamed with Bill Auberlen to win in the sister No. 95 Turner BMW at VIRginia International Raceway in August.