WRPM Race Update

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WRPMotorsports' Willie Phee Ends 2025 Season with Disappointment at Daytona SARRC Invitational Challenge Daytona Beach, Florida – September 20-21, 2025 – WRPMotorsports driver Willie Phee wrapped up the 2025 season with two disappointing results at the season finale of the SARRC Invitational Challenge, held at Daytona International Speedway. Despite showing strong pace throughout the weekend, circumstances beyond his control affected both races. Race 1 – Saturday Qualifying for the weekend took place early Saturday morning in a mixed-class session involving all “IT” categories. Phee qualified 5th in ITS and 13th overall, but a grid mix-up at the start of the race compromised his chances. “This was all of the ‘IT’ groups in the same qualifying session,” explained Phee. “The organizers used a split start, with the ITS group behind the first pace car and the rest of the ‘IT’ field behind the second.” However, Phee was mistakenly placed in the second pace car group, starting 13th overall instead of 5th in class. Despite efforts to correct the mistake on the grid, officials denied the adjustment. This grid error forced Phee to give up nearly half a lap to the ITS group at the start. Undeterred, he maintained strong pace and stayed in touch with the faster ITR cars. A full-course caution on lap five bunched up the field, allowing Phee to capitalize on the restart. He fought his way up from 10th to finish 6th in class. Watch Race 1 Highlights: https://youtu.be/TLNztT9cVKc?t=11274 Race 2 – Sunday On Sunday, Phee was correctly gridded 4th in class and started on the outside of row two. At the green flag, he made a strong move into Turn 1 to take second place, and by the Le Mans Chicane, he had taken the lead. Phee battled closely with Ron Munnerlyn and Peter Beaulieu in their Mazda Miata’s throughout the opening laps. Though Munnerlyn began pulling away slightly on laps four and five, Phee responded with his fastest laps on six through eight and closed the gap heading into Turn 1 at the start of lap nine. Unfortunately, his race came to a sudden halt in Turn 2. “I missed a shift going into Turn 1, and the car went into limp mode—it wouldn’t rev over 2,500 RPM,” said Phee. “It turned out the throttle body connector had become disconnected and that caused the problem.” Unable to continue, Phee was forced to retire, recording a DNF, though he was credited with 8th in class and 25th overall. Watch Race 2 Highlights: https://youtu.be/oxZcBHrUEHg?t=11044 “I felt like I had a good shot at winning the race, which would’ve sealed the Championship for me, but it just didn’t work out,” reflected Phee. “I’ll get the issue corrected and focus on preparing for next season.” WRPMotorsports would like to thank Paul Ronie of RSR Racing for trackside support throughout the weekend. Next Race The team will return to action at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, October 31 – November 1, 2025, for the final race weekend of the year. WRPMotorsports is proudly sponsored by MCS Suspension. Photos courtesy of Dave Green Photography Website: www.wrpmotorsports.com Media Contact: wrpmotorsports@gmail.com