Ashley Freiberg fights for podiums, secures double top-5 finish at Road America

Kellymoss driver Ashley Freiberg secured two fourth-place finishes at Road America in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, challenging for podium positions while demonstrating strong determination following a concussion in the previous round.

Photo credits: Kyle Schwab / Porsche North America

Ashley Freiberg enjoyed a positive weekend of racing in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America as she achieved two fourth-place finishes at Road America. Following a sizeable crash last time out at Watkins Glen, Freiberg battled through the recovering symptoms of a concussion but was able to show good speed for Kellymoss as she challenged for podium positions.

Qualifying in fourth, Ashley finished race one in fourth position before mounting a late charge for the rostrum in race two, coming within half a second of her seventh podium finish of the campaign.

Freiberg arrived at Road America looking to bounce back from an unfortunate end to the previous event at Watkins Glen where she received contact while battling for the race victory and left her with a concussion. It has been an extremely positive season for the Kellymoss driver up to that point, who has stepped onto the 992 Pro/Am class podium in over half of the ten races during the campaign. With one victory and a further runner-up result to her name, Ashley was aiming to return to the podium at Road America.

Starting the weekend with a series of test and practice sessions, Freiberg built up her speed at the challenging circuit while sharing the track with over 40 other drivers. An expanded grid of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America drivers were joined by a healthy entry of Porsche Endurance Challenge North America competitors and this led to a busy circuit.

Ashley was consistently among the top-10 drivers in class and set her quickest time in the final practice session ahead of a vital qualifying session on Saturday morning.

Frieberg was aiming for a strong starting position courtesy of Saturday morning’s qualifying session which was held in some of the lowest ambient temperatures of the season so far. The session was disrupted by an early red flag after Tim Kezman’s car required recovering and therefore the lap times set late in the session proved to be the fastest. It was a good session for the Kellymoss driver who set the fourth fastest time in the 992 Pro/Am class.

"Coming off a big hit in Watkins, I’m learning that some of my concussion symptoms are still lingering", she explained. "However, I am focusing on continuing to learn, grow, and handle my health as well as I can. I have to give a huge thank you to the Kellymoss crew for giving me so much support and a great car."

Lining up from the second row of the grid for the opening race of the weekend, Freiberg made a good start and held fourth position after challenging Aaron Jeansonne through the opening turns. The Kellymoss driver continued to apply pressure in the early stages before the first full course yellow period was called for on lap two. After the recovery of two cars at The Kink, the racing got back underway with Ashley continuing to challenge debutant Jeansonne at the race approached the halfway mark.

Freiberg’s progress was then halted for a second time following another full course yellow period as Daniel Ammann stopped out on circuit. With the neutralisation period shorter than the first, Ashley was looking to take full advantage of the final run to the checkered flag and she made an excellent restart, challenging Jeansonne into the first turn.

Although the top-three drivers started to edge away, a personal best time on lap 12 saw Freiberg cut the deficit in the closing stages. Crossing the line in fourth position, it was a good drive from the Kellymoss driver who banked vital championship points while fighting for a spot on the podium.

"Finished P4 in race one here at Road America", she summed up, "I’m so grateful to be back on track doing what I love, and to be given the opportunity to continue with my growth as a driver and person."

Photo credits: Kyle Schwab / Porsche North America

Freiberg started race two of the weekend from fourth on the grid and was quick to challenge Paul Bocuse into turn one, before mounting a second attack into turn five. This allowed Conrad Geis to move ahead with the provisional podium positions being closely contested on the first lap. Ashley crossed the line in fifth position but would soon have the chance to make up positions after a full course yellow period neutralised the race.

The Kellymoss driver was alert at the restart and challenged Geis on the run down to turn one, forcing the MDK Motorsports driver to defend through the first sector. Freiberg’s pressure paid off as she overtook Geis through the middle sector and started to pull away from her 992 Pro/Am class rival. Paul Bocuse was now ahead and following a personal best time on lap eight, Ashley began to gain time on her championship rival.

On lap 11, Freiberg got within one tenth of a second of the fastest final sector of the race and this helped her reduce the deficit to one and a half seconds. Two laps later, the margin was less than a second and Ashley’s pace in the middle sector was proving crucial to her late challenge for the podium.

Making significant inroads on the penultimate lap of the race, the Kellymoss driver’s progress was halted by a final lap full course yellow period which allowed Bocuse to hold onto third. Nonetheless, it was an excellent drive from Ashley who finished both races in fourth position at Road America.

"Today was a better day", Freiberg stated. "The start was a bit of an adventure making my way up to third, then dropped to fifth, made my way back to fourth and was reeling in third place setting up for a pass until a caution came out in the end."

"Crazy to say, as I always want to win, but this was a win for me as I pushed through some adversity personally/physically today, and kept it clean and strong throughout the race", she continued. "I have to give the biggest thank you to the incredible support I have behind me at Kellymoss and throughout the paddock."

"I’m just so grateful for this life and all the amazing people that surround me", she concluded. "I have some more healing to do, but you guys know that I am a fighter and will do what it takes to make myself as strong and healthy as I can be. We will continue to grow and come back even better than before."

Bouncing back from her sizeable crash at Watkins Glen, Freiberg made good improvements throughout the penultimate event of the season. Her speed in the latter half of race two was particularly impressive as she challenged for a podium finish and was unfortunate not to have the chance to shape for a move on Paul Bocuse.

Freiberg will be looking to end the season on a high when the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America drivers return at Sonoma Raceway.

Photo credits: Kyle Schwab / Porsche North America