PWC: Cooper fastest in second Barber practice

Michael Cooper posted the fastest time in Friday afternoon's second 30-minute GT, GTA, and GT Cup practice session at Barber Motorsports Park, at the Grand Prix of Birmingham presented by Porsche, part of the seventh annual Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Martin Fuentes and Alec Udell posted the fastest times in GTA and GT Cup, respectively.

The session was held in sunny 75 degree weather conditions prior to a storm that brought heavy rain, thunder and lightning not long after practice concluded. Cooper, driving the No. 8 Cadillac Racing Cadillac ATS-V.R. posted a 1:23.831 ahead of Andrew Davis, in the No. 76 Calvert Dynamics Phoenix Performance Porsche 911 GT3 R who posted a 1:23.864. Adderly Fong, driving the No. 88 Bentley Team Absolute Bentley Continental GT3 posted the third fastest time with a 1:23.920.

"The Cadillac ATS-V.R Coupe has a good balance around this Barber track," Cooper said. "I am liking the way the car is handling. Hopefully we can keep things going into qualifying and have a good starting position for the race tomorrow. The track changed a lot between this morning and this afternoon. The rubber from the IndyCars and the higher track temperature caused slower lap times for everyone."

In GTA, Fuentes, in the No. 07 Hublot, Under Armour Ferrari 458 GT3 Italia posted the fastest time in class with a 1:24.853.

In GT Cup, Udell, in the No. 17 Amsource Capital/Panther PipelinePorsche 911 GT3 Cup posted the fastest time in class with a 1:27.732.

GT, GTA and GT Cup drivers next take to the track for Saturday's qualifying session scheduled for 9:45 am Central, in preparation for Saturday afternoon's GT/GTA Round 5, GT Cup Round 6 race scheduled for 1:45 pm Central. Follow live timing and scoring at world-challenge.com and watch the race live at motortrendondemand.com.