Ferrari Challenge North America Accelerates into Its Penultimate U.S. Round at Watkins Glen
In a season marked by intense competition and spectacular driving, the Ferrari Challenge North America series has reached its penultimate U.S. round. This time, the high-octane action shifts to one of America’s most iconic and historic racing venues—Watkins Glen International in upstate New York. Nestled in the picturesque Finger Lakes region, this legendary track sets the stage for a high-stakes weekend as championship contenders prepare to make critical moves in the standings.
Returning to “The Glen”
Watkins Glen, affectionately known as “The Glen,” plays host to the Ferrari Challenge between two of its major motorsport headliners—the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in June and the NASCAR Cup Series in August. This strategic slot gives Ferrari Challenge competitors the spotlight in a racing-rich summer schedule.
This year’s event marks the series’ only stop in the Northeast, making it a special opportunity for teams and fans in the region. While Ferrari Challenge North America has visited California, Florida, and most recently Indianapolis, this stop at Watkins Glen is a return to a fan-favorite. It’s the sixth time overall the series has visited this track and the second consecutive year in a row it features on the calendar.
More than 60 Ferrari 296 Challenge race cars are registered for the weekend’s doubleheader, joined by over 40 additional entries across the Club Challenge and Club Competizioni GT categories. The sizable grid promises a thrilling spectacle as drivers test their mettle on the Glen’s sweeping corners and dramatic elevation changes.
Northeast Teams Represent Strongly
With the Ferrari Challenge’s return to the Northeast, local dealers and drivers are embracing the home-field advantage. Several teams and drivers from nearby regions are fielding entries with strong hopes for victory.
Wide World Ferrari, based in Spring Valley, New York, just a few hours away from Watkins Glen, brings a trio of 296 Challenge entries. Leading the charge is Jason McCarthy, the 2024 Watkins Glen winner in Trofeo Pirelli, who returns in hopes of repeating that success. Teammates Kevin Orsini (Coppa Shell) and Anthony DeCarlo (Coppa Shell Am) round out the entry list for Wide World Ferrari.
Ferrari of Central New Jersey also enters with three cars, including longtime series participant Jeffrey Nunberg, who’s seeking to improve on his fourth-place standing in the Coppa Shell Am championship. He’ll be joined by Michael Mathes (Trofeo Pirelli Am) and Ram Chada (Coppa Shell Am).
Ferrari Philadelphia arrives at Watkins Glen with momentum after Gary Ott scored strong finishes at Indianapolis, including a runner-up result in Coppa Shell. The team also sees the return of the Herfield family duo, Matthew and Stephanie, who missed the previous round but participated in earlier races this season.
Ferrari of Long Island will be represented by Joe Rubbo in Trofeo Pirelli Am, while Ferrari of Quebec—just five hours away from The Glen—makes the trip south with two Canadian drivers, Benoit Bergeron and Martin Burrowes, both competing in Trofeo Pirelli Am. Burrowes, notably, is coming off a class win at Indianapolis and looks to continue his strong form. Bergeron, meanwhile, hopes to climb the podium for the second time this season.
Championship Battles Heat Up
With just two rounds left in the North American leg of the Ferrari Challenge and the prestigious Finali Mondiali in October looming on the horizon, every point matters more than ever. The championship fights across all categories are reaching critical junctures.
In Trofeo Pirelli, Massimo Perrina (Ferrari of Seattle) surged ahead with a weekend sweep at Indianapolis, giving him a 25-point advantage over his closest rival, Dylan Medler (The Collection). Though that may seem comfortable, one bad race could swing the standings dramatically.
The Trofeo Pirelli Am title fight is razor-close, with just eight points separating Brad Fauvre (Ferrari of San Francisco) and Sebastian Mascaro (Ferrari of Central Florida). That rivalry is expected to come to a head at The Glen.
Over in Coppa Shell, Yahn Bernier (Ferrari of Seattle) enters Watkins Glen riding a three-race win streak, having dominated rounds at the Miami International Autodrome and Indianapolis. However, Mitchell Green (Ferrari of Westlake), sitting in second, has multiple wins of his own and is within striking distance.
In Coppa Shell Am, Gabe Hrib (Ferrari of Atlanta) maintains the top spot, but his 16-point lead over Michael Owens (Ferrari of Alberta) leaves little room for error.
Weekend Schedule and Broadcast Details
Track activities at Watkins Glen International begin with two full days of testing, allowing teams to dial in setups and drivers to acclimate to the 3.4-mile circuit. Official practice sessions kick off on Friday, July 25, with three sessions scheduled throughout the day.
The qualifying session for Race 1 takes place on Saturday at 11:05 a.m. ET, followed by the green flag for Trofeo Pirelli at 2:20 p.m., and Coppa Shell at 3:10 p.m.
Sunday’s schedule begins with Qualifying 2 at 9:35 a.m., leading into the final races of the weekend. Coppa Shell’s second race starts at 12:55 p.m., and Trofeo Pirelli’s final race is set for 1:45 p.m.
Fans can catch all the action through Ferrari Challenge’s live streaming services and social media channels, where qualifying and races will be broadcast with expert commentary and live timing.
