Lexus Scores Another Super GT Win at Autopolis

Lexus team continues flawless start to 2017 Autobacs Super GT Series.

Things quite honestly couldn’t be going much better for Lexus in the 2017 Autobacs Super GT Series season. First, the automaker claimed the top three spots in the second round of Fuji’s Super GT. The #38 Zent Cerumo LC 500’s first place finish marked the automaker’s first win in Japan in four years. And now the #36 TOM’s Lexus has won the third round of the season at Autopolis.

The #36 car, driven by James Rossiter and Kazuki Nakajima, took the checkered flag following an exciting contest. An error by Nakajima in the second qualifying stage landed them a seventh place start, but some aggressive driving by Rossiter had them in 2nd place midway through the race.

But after Nakajima took over, their day almost ended prematurely when he collided with Kohei Hirate and the Denso SARD LC500 with only 15 laps remaining. Despite some damage the the right front section of the car, Nakajima scored an easy victory with a 30-second lead over the rest of the field.

The latest Super GT victory was Nakajima’s first since 2014, and the sixth overall for Rossiter. But this time, Lexus couldn’t quite secure the podium. The #17 Keihin NSX-GT took second place, followed by another Honda, the #100 Raybrig NSX-GT.

Despite some damage the the right front section of the car, Nakajima scored an easy victory with a 30-second lead over the rest of the field.

The #37 KeePer TOM’s LC500, driven by Ryo Hirakawa and Nick Cassidy, finished sixth. The team still stands at the top of the GT500 standings, but their lead was trimmed to four points following the #36 car’s victory.

The 2017 Super GT season has already been a great one for both Lexus and fans of the brand. If you haven’t tuned in yet, be sure and set your DVR for the Summer Series at Sportsland SUGO, which kicks off in July.

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.