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Brendon Hartley and Scott Mayer of Starworks Motorsports teamed for their first  Grand-Am Rolex Series Daytona Prototype victory, winning Saturday’s VISITFLORIDA.Com 250 at Road America.

Hartley took the lead when the front runners pitted under a late caution, and then pulled away in the No. 8 BMW/Riley, beating Joao Barbosa to the checkered flag by 4.290 seconds. Barbosa was joined by Christian Fittipaldi in the No. 5 Corvette DP, with Brian and Burt Frisselle giving Action Express a two-three finish by taking third in the No. 9 Corvette DP.

“I feel awesome; the car was so good today,” Hartley said. “It is an emotional win as it has been a while since I’ve won a race and it has been building up for a while. Scott drove a great first stint and the team did a faultless job; the strategy was perfect. I want to give a massive thanks to everyone at Starworks. All of the tracks are new to me and I’m loving racing in the US. It is such a relief to get this first win under our belts and hopefully we’ll be up there fighting again in Kansas next week.”

Despite recording a DNF because of engine failure, the Starworks No. 2 car of Alex Popow and Ryan Dalziel kept their series points lead.

“I am so happy for Brendon and Scott to break through with the win,” Starworks owner Peter Baron said. “We knew it would happen this year. Both cars could have won today, but for the 2 car the good news is that Alex and Ryan still lead the Drivers’ Championship and also the 8 car now jumps up a couple of places in the Team standings. So with three races to go, it’s still looking good.”

Bill Auberlen prevailed in a terrific battle with Patrick Long to join Paul Dalla Lana in winning GT in the No. 94 Turner Motorsport BMW M3, their third victory of the season.

“That was a spectacular battle at the end,” Long said after the podium celebration. “I was intent on battling the BMW, saving fuel and keeping them behind me but at the same time, I wasn’t going to compromise the podium finish for Park Place Porsche. We’re going to get that first win before the end of the year.”

Joel Miller took his fourth GX victory in the No. 00 Visit Florida Racing/SpeedSource Mazda 6, joined by three-time winner Tristan Nunez. Points leader Jim Norman and Spencer Pumpelly finished second in the No. 38 BGB Motorsports Porsche Cayman.

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