Number 3 SRT Corvette - Going Out In Style

The top three cars continued to swap places for the lead until the beginning of the 19th hour. The No. 2 Maserati held a slim lead over the SRT Corvette when suddenly, on lap 419, it lost its right rear wheel and slammed into the barrier between Turns 11 and 12. Driver Tim Mullen was unhurt, but the car was unable to continue and was withdrawn from the race. This gave the SRT Corvette a comfortable 1:13 lead over the No. 4 PK car.

During the 21st hour, Gavin pitted to report smoke was in the cockpit. The crew discovered a massive oil leak and pushed the car into the garage for repairs. The epic battle between the top cars was now settled. If the No. 4 Corvette could last for the remaining three hours of the race, the C6.R's last 24-hour victory would belong to PK Carsport.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, the well-worn C6.R took the checkered flag to close an amazing endurance record for the Pratt & Miller-built Corvettes. The SRT car was able to complete the two final laps and was credited with a 19th Place finish and Fourth in GT1. The battered No. 33 Maserati was Second, 11 laps behind the winner, while the Nissan GTR was Third, and the No. 1 Maserati was Fourth, 70 laps behind the winning Corvette.

"Fantastic! An indescribable feeling," a jubilant Jos Menten shouted out as the checkered flag fell. "I have now won this race twice. It was a very hard race, especially the first 15 hours when the gap was 15 seconds. Unbelievable!" added birthday boy Hezemans.

The victory gave the PK Carsport drivers a one-point lead over the No. 1 Maserati team in the championship chase. Perhaps more important, it served as a fitting close to a proud era in Corvette racing.