Mike Chen wins messy Coppa Shell Race 1 | Ferrari Challenge North America Thermal
After a thrilling opening race in the Trofeo Pirelli class, can the Coppa Shell drivers impress in the Ferrari Challenge North America 2026 Thermal opener?
THERMAL, United States — Well this certainly wasn’t the cleanest Ferrari Challenge North America race I’ve seen, but Mike Chen survived all the carnage and came home with the Coppa Shell class victory at the exclusive Thermal race track. Chuck Whittall and Byran Waltersdorf joined Chen on the podium, with Whittall coming 2nd and Waltersdorf 3rd. Coppa Shell AM saw the worst of the wrecks, however, Blake Rosser took the class win, with Fabian Sperman in 2nd and Melissa Kozyra claiming her first podium of the season.
Ferrari Challenge North America Thermal Race 1 Coppa Shell Results
- 1st: Mike Chen (Coppa Shell)
- 2nd: Chuck Whittall (Coppa Shell)
- 3rd: Bryan Waltersdorf (Coppa Shell)
- 4th: Garry Ott (Coppa Shell)
- 5th: Louis Flory (Coppa Shell)
- 6th: Andrew Parker (Coppa Shell)
- 7th: Kevin Orsini (Coppa Shell)
- 8th: Michael Owens (Coppa Shell)
- 9th: Michael Moyes (Coppa Shell)
- 10th: Joel Rose (Coppa Shell)
- 11th: Brad Evans (Coppa Shell)
- 12th: Ryan Dayton (Coppa Shell)
- 13th: Javier Rodriguez Borgio (Coppa Shell)
- 14th: Roy Carroll (Coppa Shell)
Ferrari Challenge North America Thermal Race 1 Coppa Shell AM Results
- 1st: Blake Rosser (Coppa Shell AM)
- 2nd: Fabian Sperman (Coppa Shell AM)
- 3rd: Melissa Kozyra (Coppa Shell AM)
- 4th: Luis Perusquia (Coppa Shell AM)
- 5th: Nicholas Hoult (Coppa Shell AM)
- 6th: Steve Check (Coppa Shell AM)
- 7th: Darren Bernstein (Coppa Shell AM)
- 8th: Jamie Garrett (Coppa Shell AM)
- 9th: Lance Cawley (Coppa Shell AM)
- 10th: Henry Hummel (Coppa Shell AM)
- 11th: Tim Duit (Coppa Shell AM)
- 12th: Jesus Mendoza (Coppa Shell AM)
- 13th: Daniel Roberts (Coppa Shell AM)
- 14th: Ed Vartughian (Coppa Shell AM)
- 15th: Joe Sposato (Coppa Shell AM)
- Unclassified: John Lennon (Coppa Shell AM)
- Unclassified: Bernard Gomez (Coppa Shell AM)
- Unclassified: Jeffery Kiel (Coppa Shell AM)
- Unclassified: Jeffery Nunberg (Coppa Shell AM)
- Unclassified: G Moss (Coppa Shell AM)
Driver of the Race: Nicholas Hoult (Coppa Shell AM)
There weren’t too many impressive performances out there today besides the obvious choices of the race winners and podium grabbers. However, I’m giving the driver of the race to Nicholas Hoult. The actor might lack experience behind the wheel of a race car, but Hoult kept his nose clean in a very dangerous race, which is harder than it looks. Let’s see if he can build on this performance in Race 2, but I’m hopeful that my fellow Englishman can push for a podium in the Coppa Shell AM class if he takes a few more risks tomorrow!
For everything you need to know about the Ferrari Challenge North America 2026 season, check out the full schedule, driver lineup, teams, and results here.
