Wolf Henzler and Robin Liddell have had the car to compete at the front of the GT class pack throughout the season, but in the Road & Track 250 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the duo brought Tafel Racing its first-ever feature race victory in the No. 72 NEC Porsche GT3.

Henzler started the machine fourth on the GT class grid, but didn’t waste any time moving up in the running order. The German passed two machines in Turn 2 on the opening lap to settle into second place and ran in that position throughout the opening stint. Claiming the lead during a series of pit stops during the race’s first caution period, the No. 72 Porsche never trailed again.

“It is very special when a team wins for the first time in a series,” said Henzler. “You can actually see it on the faces of the whole team. The team did a good job, the strategy was good and the pit stops were good. I am just so happy right now.”

Liddell took control of the No. 72 machine during a late caution period, and kept hard-charging Andy Lally—in the No. 65 TRG/Fst1 Air Pontiac GTO.R—behind him the re of the way. The previous best finish for Liddell and Henozler was a third-place class result in Round 3 at Hmestead-Miami Speedway

“It was a pretty nail-biting finish,” said Liddell. “Today was the first time we did a good job as an entire team. Andy and myself were driving as hard as we could. He was clearly closing on me, and we had a clean fight. It was hard to hang on. For me, it is the most special win I’ve ever had. For us as a team it was important. When you win, you prove yourself as the very best on that day.”

With the runner-up finish, Lally and co-driver Marc Bunting maintain their lead in the driver standings, now holding a four-point edge over Liddell and Henzler (215-211). It is the fourth podium finish of the season for the No. 65 machine, and 11th straight podium finish for TRG, dating back to the CompUSA 200 at The Glen last August.

“We gained little by little, and both Robin and I were driving on the edge,” said Lally. “On the last lap I made a run from a little further back than I should have. We went side-by-side in Turn 2, but he was able to power down and hold the lead. It is good to come away in the points lead.”

Bunting fell to fourth in the opening moments of the race, but moved up to third before the race’s first caution period. Pit strategy late by the No. 65 machine shuffled the car just behind the No. 72 Porsche for the last sprint to the finish.

“I’m happy to be on the podium again and maintain our position in the points,” added Bunting. “It went good for us today. I turned the car over to Andy in third place, and he brought it home in second. All in all, a pretty good day.”

Ian James and Ryan Hunter-Reay finished third in the No. 17 SAMAX Porsche GT3. It was the Rolex Series debut for Hunter-Reay, who finished fourth in the qualifying race, and the best finish of the season for James. Kelly Collins and Paul Edwards finished fourth in the No. 64 TRG Pontiac GTO.R, and with 203 points, the duo is still in the championship hunt. Bill Auberlen and Matt Alhadeff rounded out the top five in the No. 05 Motul/GRW.com.mx/enVista BMW M3 for Sigalsport. It is the best finish for the No. 05 machine since a fourth-place class result at Homestead-Miami Speedway.