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Wrapping up the Sprint Cup Season with a Vice Champion Title in the Pocket

Sep 24, 2025 | Partnerships

Last Updated on September 24, 2025

Wrapping up the Sprint Cup Season with a Vice Champion Title in the Pocket - Partnerships - Mountain Wolf - Digital Payments and Exchange

The final chapter of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup season was written this past weekend at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia – a technical track known for its tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities. It became the stage for one last all-out push by Jordan Pepper and Luca Engstler in the #63 GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, run in partnership with Mountain Wolf and Liqui Moly. With the Vice Champion title now officially secured, the Sprint Cup season ends on a high note—along with a fire still burning for what could have been.

Saturday: From Strategic Execution to Sprint Cup Revival

The final Sprint Cup weekend of the 2025 season kicked off at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia and what a start it was for the GRT Grasser Racing Team and the #63 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, run in partnership with Mountain Wolf and Liqui Moly.

Qualifying saw Luca Engstler put down a strong lap of 1:31.525, which earned P6 in the overall classification. After a subsequent penalty against a competitor, the team was promoted to P5 on the starting grid.

In a chaotic opening phase of Race 1, a safety car neutralized the field early on. Engstler initially dropped back to sixth, but crucially maintained the lead in the PRO class. He held position with confidence until the driver change, handing over to Jordan Pepper, who rejoined in P3 overall.

With just two minutes left on the clock, Pepper made a daring overtake to snatch P2 at the finish line. Later that evening, a penalty against the winning car promoted Engstler and Pepper to first place — a result that significantly shifted the championship dynamic and brought the team to within 3.5 points of the title leaders.

Sunday: Full attack for the title and a strong P2 finish

On Sunday morning, Jordan Pepper once again showcased the car’s pace in Qualifying 2, securing pole position with a lap of 1:31.115 despite carrying +5kg BoP.

The final race of the Sprint Cup season evolved into a gripping showdown between the GRT Lamborghini and the WRT BMW. Pepper initially held the lead but was overtaken in a fierce side-by-side drag to Turn 1 shortly before the driver change. After both cars pitted at the same time, Luca Engstler rejoined and immediately turned up the pressure.

In the closing laps, he remained locked within a second of the leading car, but ultimately, the #63 crossed the line in P2, finishing just 0.885 seconds behind. Still, it was another strong result and with 29.5 points collected, no team scored more in any Sprint Cup weekend this season.

What decided the title: Brands Hatch in the rear-view mirror

Reflecting on the full Sprint Cup journey, it’s clear where the decisive moment may have come. The season opener in Brands Hatch earlier this year, the first round of the Sprint campaign cost the team valuable points due to unfortunate incidents and a compromised weekend. A small difference in the standings, but a massive impact on the championship title race.

Next: The Endurance Cup Finale in Barcelona

With the Sprint Cup chapter closed, the team now sets its sights on the Endurance Cup season finale at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, from October 10–13. With the full endurance driver line-up – Mirko Bortolotti, Luca Engstler, and Jordan Pepper – reunited in the #63 Lamborghini, all eyes are on one goal: ending the season with another strong result a potential Championship Title and proving once again that this car, this team, and this line-up belong at the front.

Wrapping up the Sprint Cup Season with a Vice Champion Title in the Pocket

Luca Engstler (GER) / Jordan Pepper (RSA)
#63 GRT Grasser-Racing-Team
PRO CUP
Qualifying 1: P6 (P5) – Race 1: P1
Qualifying 2: P1 – Race 2: P2

“Obviously, it hurts to come this close to winning the championship after giving it everything all year long. Coming into the weekend, we knew our chances were slim — but just to put ourselves in the fight for the final race felt like a dream come true.

Everyone did an incredible job to get us to that point. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite seal the title, but I’m extremely proud of how we fought back after a tough first weekend of the season. To finish just a few points short and take P2 overall is something we can all be proud of.

Huge thanks to all our partners who made this possible, and of course, sharing the car with Luca has been amazing. The whole team pushed until the very last second — and that’s exactly the kind of spirit that defines us.”

Jordan Pepper

“Yes, of course it’s frustrating to lose the title by such a narrow margin — especially when it comes down to the final race. But if we take a step back and look at where we started this journey, and how far we’ve come as a team, there’s so much to be proud of and thankful for.

I want to thank all of our partners, but most of all the team. Every single person gave everything for us this season. Of course, there’s sadness — but above all, there’s pride. What we achieved this year together is truly something special.”

Luca Engstler

Photos: © SRO Motorsports Group / Gruppe C Photography

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