As the Porsche NA Carrera Cup heats up into round 2, heading for the roads of Long Beach, the field arrives with pressure, momentum, and a low margin for error. Like most street courses, this track punishes hesitation and rewards the best racing. Circuits like Long Beach obliterate those who are too confident in their ability to shape the course to their liking. Precision at the absolute limit of the 992.2 Cup car will be the deciding factor this weekend.
520 horsepower coming from a naturally aspirated four liter flat six that, and I am quoting the official pamphlet when I say this (linked at the bottom of the article if you want to read for yourself), screams at 9,000 rpm. 9,000 rpm!?! This new generation of Cup cars was exciting to see at Sebring, but I believe Long Beach will be more a test of nerve and flawless execution than what we’ve seen previously. Speaking of the circuit, you can read about my breakdown here. I’d also like to make note of how the classes work. Every class races the same spec 911, and each division (Pro, Pro-Am, and Masters) is split by age group, 17-35 years old, 36-49, and 50+ respectively. Although technically the series classes are defined by driver rating and experience as well, Porsche’s own page splits them via age group.
Drivers To Watch
Tyler Maxson – Pro
#77, Topp Racing
One of the quickest one-lap drivers in the series and still a young gun, Mr. Maxson is a natural threat on any course. His aggression will show through qualifying and with his style of racing, if he is placed near the front of the grid, I don’t foresee many other drivers getting in his way. He finished 2nd in the first practice of Sebring, and then finished first through practice 2, qualifying, race one, and race two. Did I forget to mention he averaged a 4.1 second lead throughout the two races as well? If I was a betting man, I would be going all in on #77.
John Capestro-Dubets – Pro
#7, GMG Racing
While still in the pro class, JCD is a veteran racer with masterful experience (29 wins and 57 podiums from 152 starts). A particular example of JCD’s expertise came during 2024’s GT4 America race at this same circuit, where he repeatedly perfected Turn 1, showed defensive brilliance coming into Turn 9, and didn’t just survive the race like most other Pro-class drivers but instead managed the field to maintain pace. Although his showing at Sebring was lackluster, coming in ~36 seconds behind first, I believe JCD will come into Long Beach with considerable assets that much of the field simply do not possess.
Callum Hedge – Pro
#9, JDX Racing
Hedge is a Porsche Junior with veteran level pace and skills to apply pressure to even the best of racers. At the 2023 Formula Regional Americas Championship, which was raced near my hometown at Mid-Ohio, Hedge hit identical braking points lap in and lap out. He never allowed for an opening to lose his first-place finish which is exactly what Porsche Junior racers are known for (adaptability, aggression, and precision). He finished fourth and third respectively at Sebring, and although he may not have the same skillset as JCD or the primal aggression of Maxson, I believe Hedge has an edge going into this weekend. He is also racing for a hometown team so that gives him some brownie points in my books.
This weekend will be interesting! Looking at driver tendencies, I would have to say JCD has the most enticing skillset heading for Long Beach. I do believe Maxson has the aggression to place highly during qualifying, and if his aggression doesn’t blind him to the realities of race management and the demanding course that is Long Beach, he has a good chance of finishing on the podium. Finally, Hedge is my hometown pick and personally who I’ll be rooting for, but don’t mistake my enthusiasm as naivety, Hedge has the skillset necessary to not only conquer Long Beach but begin cementing himself as one of the best close-quarter drivers that IMSA has ever seen.
If you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear (and maybe even share) them!
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