CrowdStrike Racing Earns First Overall Victory at the GT Challenge of Sonoma

CrowdStrike Racing Earns First Overall Victory at the GT Challenge of Sonoma

CrowdStrike Racing proved that there really is no place like home after a highly successful weekend at Sonoma Raceway during SRO Motorsports America’s first full event of 2023.

The GT Challenge of Sonoma protected by CrowdStrike brought five podium finishes in six races for the CrowdStrike Racing program. The victories came in front of a big crowd of employees from the technology leader, as more than 100 came with their families, as well as other VIP guests, for a weekend full of interactive experiences that highlighted the company’s role as a leading sponsor of SRO America.

George Kurtz and Colin Braun made sure CrowdStrike Racing fans went home happy with their runner-up finish in Saturday’s 90 minute race, and an overall victory in the second race on Sunday in Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS. The duo piloted the No. 04 CrowdStrike Racing by Riley Mercedes AMG GT3 to an overall victory, closing the weekend as championship contenders once again in the series’ Pro-Am category. 

Sunday’s race was a master-class in race execution. Braun began the race in the second position but took the lead on the opening lap. He drove the first 45 minutes - and claimed the CrowdStrike Fastest Lap Award in the process - before Kurtz took over the CrowdStrike Mercedes and rejoined the race in second place. Driving confidently while posting quick and consistent laps, Kurtz made the winning pass with 29 minutes to go and won by nearly nine full seconds.

The results in GT World Challenge dove-tailed nicely with Kurtz’s weekend in GT America Powered by AWS. The defending series champion posted a third-place finish in Saturday’s first 40-minute race, followed by a runner-up showing in a highly competitive and deep field with another No. 04 CrowdStrike Racing by Riley Mercedes AMG GT3.

CrowdStrike Racing driver Kevin Boehm collected a runner-up trophy in his first race as part of the Pirelli GT4 America championship Saturday. He drove the No. 92 CrowdStrike BMW M4 GT4 with new teammate Kenton Koch for Random Vandals Racing in the 60-minute race, and the new pairing quickly asserted themselves as title contenders with their performance. 

The move to Pirelli GT4 America came after Boehm won two titles in the Touring Car America series during the past three seasons driving CrowdStrike/AWS-sponsored entries. 

CrowdStrike Racing Fans Go Home Happy

The success of CrowdStrike Racing at Sonoma came in front of an impressive group of supporters who made the trip to the scenic racetrack during the course of the weekend. 

CrowdStrike’s activation programs began with the latest in its series of CXO Summits, an immersive experience for leaders in cybersecurity and computing at select CrowdStrike Racing events. The main element of the program was a group discussion with local and regional business figures led by Shawn Henry – CrowdStrike Chief Security Officer – and Angelo Comazzetto – Senior Principal, Office of the CISO at AWS. 

As in previous CXO Summits, the group exchanged ideas about current and emerging trends in cloud computing and cybersecurity as the VIP guests learned about methods to best secure their businesses from data breaches.

Following Friday’s summit, the activation moved to the racetrack, which played host to CrowdStrike Employee Day on Saturday. The day-long program allowed staff members and their families opportunities to explore and learn about CrowdStrike’s wide range of involvements in SRO America and the company’s support of Operation Motorsport, which hosted a paddock tour for CrowdStrike Racing guests.

In addition, VIPs and CXO attendees got up-close to the racing action by waving the green flag to start some both GT World Challenge races and even gave the command for drivers to start their engines. 

CrowdStrike Racing’s next event in SRO America is April 28-30 at NOLA Motorsports Park just outside of New Orleans. For more information, visit CrowdStrikeRacing.com. Follow #CrowdStrikeRacing on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for updates.

Driver quotes following the Sonoma SRO America weekend

George Kurtz, No. 04 CrowdStrike Mercedes AMG GT3: “It was incredible! The team did such a great job, and we had good pace all weekend. Colin did an amazing job in his first stint to get us in the lead. We came out behind the other Mercedes in my stint, and were able to get back in front with an overtake to bring CrowdStrike Racing home for an overall victory. I’m really proud and pleased for all of us at CrowdStrike and Riley.”

On GT America: “The depth and competitiveness of this class, even though we’re only through two events, has already been demonstrated. I’m proud of how we rebounded after a tough weekend at St. Petersburg to come back and get on the podium twice at Sonoma.” 

Colin Braun, No. 04 CrowdStrike Mercedes AMG GT3: “This is great. George and I have had a heck of a friendship over the years. To see him develop into who he is as a driver over the years is incredibly impressive. It’s a home race for the CrowdStrike Riley team and we had a ton of people out here for the weekend and our CXO Summit. It’s super-big for CrowdStrike, for George, for us at CrowdStrike Racing and Riley Motorsports to grab an overall win. It was a heck of a pass by George at the end to get us back the lead. It’s super cool and I’m super proud of everybody. It’s been an incredible event. What a day!”

Kevin Boehm, No. 92 CrowdStrike/AWS BMW M4 GT4: “With a podium on Saturday and consistently running up front with the leaders in both races, our first event in GT4 America was a major success. The new BMW M4 GT4 platform has proven to be tricky to drive so we have some homework to do before we head to NOLA for the next event.”

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Images: Fred Hardy, John Agcaoili

Media Contact: Danielle Crespo, Sr. Racing Program Manager, CrowdStrike / danielle@crowdstrike.com