Action Express Racing has scored a 1-2 finish a classic six hour battle at Watkins Glen as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship resumed after the Le Mans break.

Christian Fittipaldi and Joao Barbosa took their first victory since last year’s Petit Le Mans, leading home teammates Eric Curran and Dane Cameron

At various stages during the race other leading contenders looked in contention to take the victory including three Le Mans-style prototypes.

Mazda’s 1991 Le Mans-win retro liveried prototype expired with 30 minutes remaining with Jonathan Bomarito behind the wheel. Patrón ESM also looked set for more success to follow on from their Daytona and Sebring wins before they too suffered an engine issue with 70 minutes to go.

Michael Shank Racing’s Ligier Honda also looked rapid at the end of the race with Olivier Pla at the wheel but despite several attempts and two late race restarts, the Frenchman could not find a way past Cameron and had to settle for third.

“At one point in the race we were a second and a half slower than the P2s. And then at the end of the race we were still one second slower than them,” Fittipaldi said.

“We were perfect in the pit stops and we were really good in traffic. In traffic we were really quick, and the other cars seemed to get hung up a little bit more. A checker is a checker and I’m really happy to be a part of this win here today and happy for the team.

“If you’re looking to go for the championship you have to be strong anywhere you go. So you need to be strong everywhere, I think it’s maybe a little bit of a luck that we’ve had so many podiums here.

“On the opposite side, Action Express had never finished on the podium on the Laguna Seca track. So there is something about this place.”

In the PC class Starworks claimed their second consecutive Watkins Glen victory and their second win in a row in 2016 with Renger van der Zande and Alex Popow scoring victory.

The PC class suffered a number of incidents including a nasty crash for Johnny Mowlem in the BAR 1 Motorsports entry. The Brit suffered heavy impact with the barriers after contact with James French.

PR – champagne showers are the best showers! #Sahlens6HRS pic.twitter.com/Eewfx8V0FW

— Michael Shank (@MichaelShankRac) July 3, 2016

.@AX_Racing takes the overall #Sahlens6HRS win! pic.twitter.com/aSXQtWy0dC

— IMSA (@IMSA) July 3, 2016

We won!!!!! Wooohoooo @AX_Racing 1-2 what a day here in @WGI

— Christian Fittipaldi (@fittitweet) July 3, 2016

1-2 result for @AX_Racing at @WGI. @barbosaracing and @fittitweet take the win over @danecameron19 & @ericcurran31 pic.twitter.com/ujh007omXf

— Michelin Alley (@MichelinAlley) July 3, 2016

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