Record-breaking Johnny Kaminskey wins Race 1 | Ferrari Challenge North America Thermal
Think Ferrari Challenge is just for old men? Well, think again, because Johnny Kaminskey just made history at Thermal in Ferrari Challenge North America’s 2026 opening race.
THERMAL, United States — The opening race of the Ferrari Challenge North America 2026 season, held in Thermal, United States, experienced a chaotic start, highlighted by a disruptive multi-car pile-up after Turn 3, which certainly did not contribute to the positive advertisement Ferrari intended for their exclusive single-make racing series. However, Johnny Kaminskey managed to avoid any major trouble, walking away with the Trofeo Pirelli class win, with Manny Franco coming 2nd, and Brad Fauvre 3rd. In the Trofeo Pirelli AM class, it was Esteban Beckmann who lifted the trophy, leaving Frank Chang 2nd-place and Kevin Gutierrez on the final step of the podium in 3rd-place.
Ferrari Challenge North America Thermal Race 1 Trofeo Pirelli Results
- 1st: Johnny Kaminskey (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 2nd: Manny Franco (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 3rd: Brad Fauvre (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 4th: Brian Cook (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 5th: George Grinzewitsch III (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 6th: Johnathan Weizman (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 7th: Kyle Washington (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 8th: Grey Fauvre (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 9th: Roberto Perrina (Trofeo Pirelli)
- 10th: David Bitton (Trofeo Pirelli)
Ferrari Challenge North America Thermal Race 1 Trofeo Pirelli AM Results
- 1st: Esteban Beckmann (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 2nd: Frank Chang (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 3rd: Kevin Gutierrez (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 4th: Mitchell Green (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 5th: Matthew Diehl (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 6th: Gregory Hopkins (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 7th: Yahn Bernier (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 8th: Gerdas Venslovas (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 9th: Michael Mathes (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 10th: Michael Porter (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
- 11th: Martin Burrowes (Trofeo Pirelli AM)
Driver of the Race: Johnny Kaminskey (Trofeo Pirelli)
Not only did Johnny Kaminskey win Race 1 at Thermal, putting him in charge of the Ferrari Challenge North America 2026 season, but the young driver also broke a North American record! When Kaminskey crossed the line at the end of the opening race of the season, he became the youngest driver to win a race in Ferrari Challenge North America history. I believe he is also the second-youngest driver ever to win in all the Ferrari Challenge series, making his maiden win of the season a truly historic achievement. So who else could I award the driver of the race award to?
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.
