PWC: Mazdas sweep TC, TCA and TCB Race 1 wins in Monterey

Mazdas reigned supreme at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the first of two Pirelli World Challenge rounds for the TC, TCA, and TCB classes on Saturday. Multiple cautions tightened the pack as a moderate number of crashes or mayhem temporarily slowed the action, but in the end, it was a celebration for the Japanese auto manufacturer at its home track.

Leading the charge, Patrick Gallagher (above) won from the TC pole in his Atlanta Motorsports Group Mazda MX-5, Eric Powell took TCA in his Tech Sport Racing Mazda MX-5 Cup car and in TCB, polesitter Henry Morse led the class home in his Hale Motorsports Mazda 2.

"It's phenomenal to bring a Mazda to Victory Lane," Gallagher said of his win over Adam Poland and championship leader Toby Grahovec. "Our little team has gone through a lot these last couple of months. It means a lot to our team."

Powell (above) was the first home in TCA with five MX-5s in tow.

"It was awesome," he said after beating Elivan Goulart and Joey Bickers to the checkered flag. "Unfortunately my [in-car ballast] got loose during the race, and the balance changed when moved around in the car. Just glad I could finally repay my crew with a win for all their hard work. I've dabbled in pro racing and this is my first win; it means a lot to me."

The fiercest fight took place with the slowest cars as a swarming pack of TCBs ran within inches of each other in the final laps.

"Starting on pole, falling back a little bit, it had a little bit of everything," said teenager Morse (above, PWC image), who kept Will Rodgers and Tom O'Gorman in check to win by less than a half second. "I can thank my crew and sponsors enough. We really had to work together for it today."

UP NEXT: Race 2, 8:45 a.m. PT Sunday