New Zealand’s Ryan Yardley claimed his first Porsche Carrera Cup North America podium in the final race of the season, finishing second at Circuit of the Americas on Monday.
“It feels amazing to finally get a podium,” Yardley told Velocity News from the circuit. “I’ve had some really good moments this year, but also some really tough times, too.
“It’s nice to finally get on the podium and show the speed we have had for the back half of this season. It’s a great way to pay the boys at TOPP Racing and TCS for their faith in me.”
Yardley was immediately on the front foot at the meet, setting the fourth-fastest time in practice and then qualified 6th out of a massive 38-car field.
He went on to finish seventh in the opener before storming to the breakthrough podium on Monday morning.
“The race was a crazy one, as usual,” he said. “I started fourth and lost a spot off the line, but I was aggressive over the first couple of laps and found myself in third pretty quickly.
“We had really good pace and managed to make a move for second place after a Safety Car restart before settling in and trying to catch the leader. We were really fast in Sector 1, and I thought we had a chance to try and fight for the win.
“Unfortunately, another Safety Car period ruined any chance of that, and we finished behind it.”
Yardley’s podium was made more special by the stage it came on, with the Carrera Cup racing in support of the United States Grand Prix. The final weekend of racing this season also saw some family make the trip over for the round.
“It was really cool being at such a big event,” Yardley adds. “My parents made the trip over from New Zealand, and my American family, Nathan, Jena and Maddie, who I have been living with this year, were also here. It made it that much more special getting the result with them all here.
“COTA is now my home track, as it’s the only race in Texas. It’s also where TOPP Racing is based, so it’s really cool overall.”
