Watkins Glen is a cathedral of speed, a track that demands everything from a driver and leaves zero room for error. Coming into the 2021 season, the AutoTechnic Racing crew knew we had the pace, but in a field packed with Silver-class "all-pro" lineups, an overall win for a Pro-Am entry is never a guarantee. It requires a perfect car, a flawless strategy, and a driver who is willing to put it all on the line when the white flag flies.
The Foundation: Tom’s Best Stint Yet
Success in Pro-Am racing starts with the "Am" driver. Tom Capizzi put in a performance that was nothing short of heroic. Starting from 5th on the grid, Tom stayed composed through a chaotic opening stint, holding his ground against some of the most aggressive drivers in the paddock.
He didn't just "manage" the race; he kept the leaders in sight. By the time the pit window opened at the 25-minute mark, Tom had placed the No. 52 BMW exactly where it needed to be. His discipline allowed us to execute a clean driver change, handing me a car that still had life in the tires and a podium within reach [40:40].
The Hunt: Chasing Down the Leaders
When I jumped into the cockpit, the mission was clear: close the gap. We were trailing the classic BMW of Toby Grahovic and the Mercedes of Christian Shimshak.
The BMW M4 GT4 was a rocket through the high-speed sections. I could feel the car loading up through the "Esses" and the "Carousel," carrying massive rolling speed that allowed me to chip away at the lead. By the final 15 minutes, what was once a double-digit gap had shrunk to a few car lengths. The battle for the overall lead was officially on [01:03:36].
The Move: Last-Lap Heroics
It all came down to a frantic final tour of the 3.4-mile circuit. Grahovic was defending hard, putting his experience to use, but his tires were starting to fade. As we came through the Inner Loop (Bus Stop) on the final lap, I saw my opening.
I set him up through the high-speed chicane and pulled a bold move around the outside into the "Laces" of the Boot. It was a high-commitment, high-risk maneuver, but the car stuck. I grabbed the inside line for the next apex, surged into the lead, and never looked back [01:13:40].
A Milestone for the Team
Crossing the finish line to take the Overall Win was an incredible sensation, but the best part was seeing the reaction in the pits. This was Tom Capizzi’s first-ever professional win, a milestone that represented two years of hard work and development with the AutoTechnic family [01:18:50].
Standing on the top step of the podium at Watkins Glen, looking out at the fans and the team, it was a reminder of why we do this. We came to New York as competitors and left as champions of "The Glen."
— John Dubets
Race Stats:
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Date: September 18, 2021
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Car: No. 52 AutoTechnic Racing BMW M4 GT4
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Result: 1st Overall / 1st in Pro-Am
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Key Highlight: Winning the race with a last-lap pass around the outside of the Boot.
- link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_norfH0Op98