Eddie Cheever III (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) had only one possible strategy entering the playoffs on is home track at the Autodromo dell’Umbria di Magione: push to the limit and win to close the gap in the championship standing. The Italian delivered winning a nerve-wrecking duel with points leader Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) that lasted all the 25 laps of the Sunday Race.

“This is fantastic. I wanted to win so bad in my home race,” said the Italian, who conquered his second win of the season and also won the Jerome Sarran Trophy classification. “It is my mother’s birthday and this win is for her. I will go on the attack again in Le Mans”.

Cheever took advantage of an animated start to jump from third to first at the first corner and went on to lead all the race, but he had to constantly resist the pressure the Spaniard put on him until the checkered flag. They were separated by just .240 second at the end of the race, with the Spaniard increasing his lead in the championship standings.

Frederic Gabillon (#12 Still Racing Chevrolet Camaro) climbed the third step of the podium, besting Borja Garcia (#1 Ford Autolix Competition Ford Mustang) and Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS), who slipped from second to eight at the first corner and had to climb back to finish fifth.

The championship will now be decided in the Le Mans Finals, on October 11-12, when Vilarino will have to defend 11 points on Kumpen, 21 on Garcia, 32 on Gabillon and 38 on Cheever.

Eddie Cheever III, winner in Magione