October 10th 2023 – Speedway, IN.
Kenny Schmied and the AOA Racing #14 BMW M2 CS Racing traveled to Indianapolis Indiana over the weekend for the final two rounds of the 2023 Touring Car America season. Having never driven on the IMS road course before, and with no promoter test before practice 1, Schmied was quickly on the pace, setting purple times early in his session. Rain would ultimately cancel practice 2, leaving Qualifying on Friday evening for Schmied to tackle.
Starting in P4 for Race 1, Schmied would quickly move up to P3, and even P2 throughout the race. However a late safety-car bunched up the field, and after falling back to third, contact with the #808 of Jackson Lee would knock Schmied out of podium contention.
Starting P4 again for Race 2, but with Jackson alongside in P3, Schmied would again rocket up the field, taking the lead soon after the start of the race. A green race from the start to the finish, Schmied would ultimately fall back to third, and with a 10 second gap to P4, would cross the finish line to end the 2023 TC America season with a P3 at Indy.
“It was great to bring home that podium finish” Schmied said. “I have my parents here this weekend and it’s their first ever time seeing me race cars, so getting to spray the champagne in front of them was something truly special! I think we could have done it on Saturday as well, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to happen. Still, what a way to send of 2023!”
Schmied ultimately finished the 2023 TC America Championship in P5, and AOA Racing also secured P5 in the Team Championship. Kenny’s 2024 plans are still up in the air, but keep up with Kenny’s Instagram and Facebook pages for updates over the off-season.
Photos from TC America at Road America can be found below or at the photo gallery page here.
