2023 Track to the Title: Danny Lowry, XGT Champion

December 20, 2023

Danny Lowry in the No. 42 Bennett/BridgeHaul/PitBoxes.com Mercedes AMG GT3 earned his first-career Pro championship in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s XGT class after earning the SGT Pro/Am title and Rookie of the Year in 2022. Lowry tallied five victories in nine races on the way to his title.

Lowry’s 2023 campaign began in the season opener at Sebring International Raceway, where he kicked off the year with a win from the pole. Following podium finishes at Road Atlanta and Lime Rock, he returned to Victory Lane at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway following an impassioned battle with rookie Wesley Slimp in the No. 4 BridgeHaul/Bennett Family of Companies Audi R8 LMS and 2022 Western Championship SGT title winner Chris Evans in the No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang.

“I’ll tell you, that was a heck of a race,” said Lowry in the Indy Winners Circle. “We went back and forth with Wes [Slimp]. I think Wes had us both covered in the beginning. He started to check out and then he lost power. Then I jumped up and I made a really stupid move going into Turn 1 and Chris [Evans] bailed me out one time. On the restart, Chris came down there and made a heck of a move, going three-wide. He took the apex, took the lead, and I was chasing him for a while, wondering if I was going to be able to catch him. I think the tires started getting hot and my handling came in. It was more of a marathon and I was able to win it. Let me tell you, that was a lot of work. I had a great weekend here. You can’t beat Indy and Trans Am. I’d like to thank Bennett and BridgeHaul, as well as my crew.”

After a second-place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lowry returned to Victory Lane at Road America, and had a three-race win streak which lasted until VIRginia International Raceway, where he clinched his title.

“It’s been a great season, better than I expected,” said Lowry. “I had a great deal of fun all year. It was wonderful to win the championship. I never came into the season expecting that. I’ve just thoroughly enjoyed running with all the guys that I get to race with in Trans Am. A couple years ago, we were debating about coming out here to Trans Am and we were like, ‘do we really belong out here with these high-quality drivers?’ We came out and we were welcomed in with open arms; it’s been a big family since then. It’s been a lot of fun and racing here has been really good for us. We’re looking forward to next season.”