Yoshihara Gains Valuable Points at Challenging 2023 TC America at VIR
Like many stops on the 2023 TC America series calendar, rounds 7 and 8 were ENEOS ambassador Dai Yoshihara’s first time at Virginia International Raceway. He wasted no time studying the layout during the track walk in anticipation of the battle to come. He was eager for a strong finish following a tough race at COTA.
VIR is a challenging circuit, but a favorite among many drivers given its elevation changes, high-speed uphill esses, and off-camber corners that demand focus and skill.
Dai’s 14-lap stint in the second Friday practice session helped position him in front of his Honda TCX competitors, and this momentum carried into Saturday’s crucial qualifying where he was able to take the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCX to an impressive fourth with a lap time of 2:00.372.
Despite being one of the faster Hondas, the BMW M2 CS excelled at VIR. Dai pounced at every opportunity, even after a late race incident between Colin Garrett and Lucas Catania that gifted him extra points, pushing him ahead of his Honda rivals.
Sunday’s second race was a tight contest between the top seven TCX competitors, separated by only 0.5sec at the finish. The Hondas had a tougher time making moves in comparison to the BMW M2 CS Cup racers that dominated the field, yet Dai managed to cross the finish line seventh to score crucial points. He remains seventh in the overall TCX standings with 61 points.
VIR RACE 1 RESULTS – TCX
| 1 | Maddie Aust | Fast Track Racing BMW M2 CS | 2:01.052 |
| 2 | Adam Gleason | Fast Track Racing BMW M2 CS | 2:01.451 |
| 3 | Joseph Catania | Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS | 2:01.096 |
| 4 | Colin Garrett | Rooster Hall Racing BMW M2 CS | 2:00.906 |
| 5 | Dai Yoshihara | VGRT Honda Civic Type R TCX | 2:01.560 |
| 6 | Joseph Catania | Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS | 2:00.845 |
VIR RACE 2 RESULTS – TCX
| 1 | Maddie Aust | Fast Track Racing BMW M2 CS | 2:01.064 |
| 2 | Colin Garrett | Rooster Hall Racing BMW M2 CS | 2:01.207 |
| 3 | Lucas Catania | Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS | 2:01.133 |
| 4 | William Tally | LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic Type R TCX | 2:01.399 |
| 5 | Kenny Schmied | AOA Racing BMW M2 CS | 2:01.899 |
| 6 | Joseph Catania | Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS | 2:01.575 |
| 7 | Dai Yoshihara | VGRT Honda Civic Type R TCX | 2:01.581 |
2023 OVERALL STANDINGS – TCX
| 1 | Colin Garrett | 149 |
| 2 | Lucas Catania | 116 |
| 3 | Maddie Aust | 105 |
| 4 | Kyle Loh | 90 |
| 5 | Adam Gleason | 80 |
| 6 | Joseph Catania | 71 |
| 7 | Dai Yoshihara | 61 |
NEXT RACE
Rounds 9 and 10 of the TC America series will bring Dai to Road America from August 18-20, 2023.
Photos: courtesy of Pit+Paddock