Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams CrowdStrike Motorsports with Riley and CRP Racing Combine for GT America Powered by AWS Race Weekend Win Sweep at Circuit of The Americas

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams and drivers remain undefeated in 2023 SRO Motorsports GT America powered by AWS competition after another race weekend victory sweep Saturday and Sunday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Reigning GT America Champion George Kurtz secured his first win of the season in Saturday's opening 40-minute race at COTA in the No. 04 CrowdStrike Motorsports with Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3. On Sunday, Jason Daskalos drove the No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 to his second victory of the season to go along with his win in the season-opening race at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix in March.

The COTA victories gave Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams a perfect eight-for-eight-win record so far this season series with five more GT America doubleheader weekends comprising 10 races still ahead on the 2023 schedule.

Kurtz shook off disappointing races at St. Petersburg and other early season rounds for a convincing and largely unchallenged run to the win on Saturday. He took the checkered flag more than 16 seconds ahead of Daskalos who finished second to seal a top-two podium sweep for the Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Kurtz and Daskalos produced another double podium finish in Sunday's final GT America race but this time it was the CRP Racing No. 27 that took top honors. Daskalos crossed the finish line in second place but was quickly elevated to first after the apparent winner was assessed a penalty for an improper tire change. While Daskalos and CRP celebrated their second win of the season and some valuable championship points, Kurtz and the CrowdStrike team joined them for the second day in a row after the penalty moved the CrowdStrike No. 04 from fourth to third after twice coming up through the field. The no-quit effort saw Kurtz rebound for the podium showing despite losing several positions in the rainy race start and later recovering from a spin after being hit by another competitor battling in the lead pack.

Other teams and drivers contributing to this year's undefeated Mercedes-AMG GT3 win streak include four-time race winner Memo Gidley in the No. 101 TKO Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 and rookie driver Anthony Bartone, who broke through for his first victory in his No. 427 Bartone Bros. Racing with RealTime Mercedes-AMG GT3 in just the second race weekend of his professional driving career at Sonoma Raceway in April.

Gidley came into the COTA weekend leading the GT America championship standings only to endure his first challenging weekend of the year. Technical issues in both weekend races prevented Gidley from adding to his points tally at COTA.

Bartone finished fifth in Saturday's first GT America race and was leading late in Sunday's finale only to spin in the damp conditions prior to a restart and fall out of contention.

The COTA weekend's podium finisher in Pirelli GT4 America competition was the No. 34 Conquest Racing/JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4 of co-drivers Michai Stephens and Jesse Webb. The first-year duo finished second in Saturday's opening 60-minute Pirelli GT4 America race for their fourth-straight podium finish, including two Silver-class victories and a pair of runner-up finishes to open their 2023 campaign.

The top Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer racing competitor in the weekend's Fanatec GT World Challenge America races was the No. 91 DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Jeff Burton and his professional co-driver Corey Lewis. The duo scored their best finish of the year in their first season in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with a fourth-place Pro-Am class result on Sunday.

Additional COTA weekend podium finishers included Bartone and Andy Pilgrim in the No. 43 Bartone Bros. Racing with RealTime Mercedes-AMG GT3. The team and drivers secured another pair of uncontested Am-class wins in both the Saturday and Sunday Fanatec GT World Challenge races.

Next up for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams in SRO Motorsports America competition is an all-series weekend of competition at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), June 16 – 18.

Jason Daskalos, Driver – No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: "The Mercedes-AMG GT3 is a great, amazing car. The aero is amazing, it is very predictable, the rear-end is predictable and we've been so happy switching to the AMG brand. With a new car, there is a little bit to learn for me as a driver and as a team. We are getting there, we still have a little bit to go, but we haven't been out of it and we're not going to be out of it. We just have to stay consistent, stay out of trouble and be smart. It is a long season, so anything can happen."

George Kurtz, Driver – No. 04 CrowdStrike Motorsports with Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3: "It has been super competitive in GT America, some great drivers there, and we are having a lot of fun. We got a big win on Saturday and showed the pace that we have after not having all of the luck go our way this season when it first started. Really, we are just taking it race by race and we will see what happens at the end of the season. We will do the best that we can. CrowdStrike and Riley gave us a great car this weekend, we will regroup for the next race and see where we land."

Jeff Burton, Driver – No. 91 DXDT Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: "Corey Lewis did a great opening run to hand the car off to me in a good position. I guess I went up one position and it was a lot of fun. The car was good, but in our debrief we realized that there is still a little bit more that we can get out of the car. Being on the podium is exactly what we need to be doing. We have some things to work on in those few days of practice before the next race in Virginia. It's nothing we can't do so really it is just getting some seat time for me. I have only been in this car now for two months, but I was attracted to it because it wins. It's winning everywhere, and when DXDT owner David Askew let me test it, I said it was a 'no brainer.' This car talks to you. It gives you so much feedback through the wheel. It's a fun car to drive and easier car to drive than what I have been in in the past."

Michai Stephens, Driver – No. 34 Conquest Racing/JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4: "All credit to the organization, SRO at large, and the Pirelli GT4 America championship is a beautiful place for everyone to hone their skills. And it's really a testament and all credit to our manufacturer. We are so proudly representing the Mercedes-AMG GT4 platform. It really just helps keep our hopes alive, and that's all you need on a race weekend. As always, we put our best foot forward and that's kind of the tale of the tape. With Jesse and Conquest Racing behind me, it's really an incredible opportunity, a privilege and above all a wonderful learning experience."

Jesse Webb, Driver – No. 34 Conquest Racing/JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4: "You win some you lose some, that's part of a championship fight and competing against a bunch of different manufacturers. Saturday's race was super fun, action packed the whole way through and suspense the entire way. Right at the end, Michai was able to capitalize on everything that he could have and was able to get P2. That was a great end of the day, we earned some championship points, but there is a long way to go in the series."

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