In an electrifying start to the Season 7 of the Alpha Touring Challenge, Micah Hendricks emerged as the dominant force, clinching a commanding victory at Virginia International Raceway. The talented racer secured the top spot on the podium, making a powerful statement after narrowly losing the Season 6 championship to rival Logan McKinzie.

The field lines up for the 81st race in ATC history.

Hendricks, driving the Hyundai Veloster for Curb Your Enthusiasm Autosport, displayed exceptional skill and control throughout the race, leading all 30 laps and finishing a staggering 13.818 seconds ahead of McKinzie. In a display of sheer determination, Hendricks posted the fastest lap time of 1:57.946, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with this season.

James D Carr leads 2x champion Francois Shink.

Logan McKinzie, representing Yellow Flag Motorsport in his Hyundai Elantra, started the race from the 4th position but ultimately couldn’t keep up with Hendricks’ blistering pace. Nonetheless, McKinzie’s strong performance ensured a well-deserved 2nd place finish, setting the stage for an intense rivalry this season.

Matthew Rzepka sporting new colors.

Jon Lauzon, driving for Cariboo Motorsport in his Audi, made a triumphant return to the podium with a solid 3rd place finish after a disastrous Season 6. Lauzon’s performance demonstrated his resilience and determination to bounce back from adversity, making him a serious contender to watch this season.

An exciting battle unfolded between Dan McFarlane of Sim Racing Grid and Jérôme Bajulaz of Cariboo Motorsport, as the two drivers fought tooth and nail throughout the race. Their fierce competition reached a boiling point as they almost crashed at one point, but both racers managed to avoid a potential disaster. Ultimately, Bajulaz secured 5th place, ahead of McFarlane who finished in 30th position, after starting from the 2nd spot on the grid.

McFarlane and Bajulaz dueled all day.

In a remarkable display of talent, Mike de Almeida made his presence felt in the Delta class, clinching a victory in his very first start. Driving the Honda Civic, Almeida showcased immense potential and skill, crossing the finish line in 10th place overall. With this strong debut, Almeida is undoubtedly one to watch in the Delta class this season.

Michael Zepp, representing QZ Motorsports in his Veloster, put up an impressive performance by gaining 14 positions during the race, highlighting his strategic prowess and overtaking abilities on the track.

Alex Kotlowski and QZ Motorsports returned with a bang, and new colors.

Other noteworthy performances included Robert Abrams of Yellow Flag Motorsport, who finished 6th in his Elantra, and Raymond Tieu, who took 7th place in his Honda. Connor Accettella, driving another Elantra for Yellow Flag Motorsport, managed an impressive 8th place finish after starting from the 12th position.

Battles could be found up and down the field throughout the day.

The strong performances by Hendricks, Shink, McKinzie, Abrams, and Accettella placed Curb Your Enthusiasm Autosport and Yellow Flag Motorsport in a strong position for the team championship early in the season, while Cariboo Motorsport, with Lauzon and Bajulaz’s impressive finishes, also made their mark as serious contenders.

Newly-wed, and now 7-time winner.

The Season 7 opener of the Alpha Touring Challenge set the stage for thrilling battles and intense rivalries in the races to come. With drivers like Hendricks, McKinzie, Lauzon, Almeida, Bajulaz, Zepp, and many others demonstrating their prowess on the track, this season is sure to be every bit as exciting as the last.