Aquilante Claims Three Overall Wins at NJMP Lightning Challenge

June 27 - 28, 2026 – Millville, NJ

New Jersey Motorsports Park hosted a successful SCCA Lightning Challenge regional race weekend, drawing a strong field of regional competitors for two days of racing on the Lightning Circuit. Competing in the Group 6 Big Bore race, the field included GT-1 Lamborghini Super Trofeos, Ferrari 488s, Touring 2-class Mustangs, and several other classes.

Andrew Aquilante led the headlines with a clean sweep of all three Group 6 Big Bore races, winning overall in his GT-2-class Phoenix Performance Ford Mustang. Track conditions were challenging in the opening Saturday afternoon Heat Race #1, with a wet track that began drying as the race progressed. Aquilante jumped into the lead at the green flag and opened up a wide margin in the initially wet conditions to take the victory.

In Heat Race #2 on Sunday morning, conditions were much better, with a dry track. Aquilante started from the pole and swapped positions with a Lamborghini Super Trofeo for several laps before pulling away to a four-second victory.

Sunday afternoon brought the Feature Race, and Aquilante, starting from second position overall, took the lead in Turn 1 from Giuseppe Giuliani in a GT-1 Lamborghini Super Trofeo. He gradually extended his lead, taking the checkered flag while posting the fastest lap of the race and setting a new track record.

In the Touring 2 class, Lars Gerhard drove his Phoenix Performance Mustang to victory in Heat Race #1, followed by a second-place finish in Heat Race #2 and another second-place finish in the Feature Race.

Lars, participating in only his second-ever SCCA regional race, put up a strong effort in all three races and gained valuable experience as he begins his SCCA racing adventure.

Al Phillips of South Jersey, also in a Phoenix-prepared T-2 Mustang, placed second in the first heat race before winning Heat Race #2 and the Feature Race on Sunday. Al, a frequent NJMP Drivers Club participant, drove two strong races to earn the wins and put on a show for everyone in his Turf Trade Mustang GT.

Throughout the weekend, Aquilante, Gerhard, and Phillips raced through traffic, put on an entertaining show for spectators, and praised the enthusiasm of the many new drivers joining SCCA competition. Competitive racing across the classes and excellent participation made for another memorable weekend of Northeast club racing.

The next SCCA event is August 15 and 16 at the NJMP Lightning Circuit.