PWC: O'Connell outlasts Beretta to take GT title

Cadillac Racing driver Johnny O'Connell survived an eventful Pirelli World Challenge finale in Monterey to win his fourth consecutive GT drivers' championship.

O'Connell took the standing start from his fifth-place qualifying position. By the end of the first lap of the 50-minute timed race he was in second, with his championship protagonist – Olivier Beretta, No. 61 Ferrari – in seventh. But Beretta closed in on the No. 3 Cadillac ATS-V.R of O'Connell and on lap 24, as the pair of championship challengers were coming through the Corkscrew turns, Beretta hit O'Connell, spinning them both.

Beretta was able to get his Ferrari restarted quicker as he rejoined the race. O'Connell restarted his ATS-V.R and rejoined the race in 14th. A few laps later Beretta was called in by the race officials to serve a drive-through penalty. However, he rejoined still in a strong points paying position ahead of O'Connell. On lap 32 as Beretta was feverishly trying to make-up positions, he made contact with the Acura of P.D. Cunningham in the final turn, forcing the Italian to pull his Ferrari off track and handing O'Connell his fourth championship in as many years.

"What a crazy race," O'Connell said. "I was able to get a great start. I didn't think I was going to be able to get Dalziel (Ryan, No. 31 Porsche). When we went into Turn 2 I was behind the silver Ferrari and the red one got into me a little.

"I was surprised how fast Olivier was coming through the field. I knew he would get to me. But getting there and getting by are two different things. I was minding my tires as best as I could while digging as hard as I could.

"I wasn't sure what he was thinking behind the wheel there in the Corkscrew. He took us both out. He wasn't really close to me. When we crested the hill he was four or five cars back. It was a Hail Mary move. I didn't get brushed, I got drilled. There was so much time left, he just had to bide his time.

"The Cadillac Racing guys build a strong car. When I got back going the car was good and still quick. I was thinking he was going to get a penalty and he did."

Reflecting on his championship season, O'Connell said: "I am proud of everyone at Cadillac Racing. This whole team is made up of Joe Montana's – we are a fourth-quarter team.

"We had some adversity this year – the crash at Long Beach while running upfront. I had a car that could of won that race. When I got taken out, I got a huge fine and hit in the points. Then at Barber we were running fast and burned a car down. The spirit of the team came to the front at that point. What people don't see is the hundreds of thousands of hours that the Cadillac Racing crew put into those race cars. I am just the guy who gets to put it on display for 100-minutes on the race weekend."

Jim Campbell, GM vice president, Performance Vehicles and Motorsport, said: "Johnny and the No. 3 ATS-V.R team's focus, determination and never-give-up approach made the difference, right down to the last lap of the season. We are so proud of O'Connell's fourth consecutive championship. His win in the all-new ATS-V.R makes the championship extra special."

Cadillac Racing program manager David Caldwell added: "What a season! We introduced the all-new Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3 into competition at St. Pete. We had some adversity throughout the season when Johnny was forced into the spare car for three races. Through hard racing and a great team of professionals from Cadillac Racing, GM Powertrain and everyone involved on the marketing side Johnny was able to win his fourth drivers' championship."