Nathan Dupuis turned adversity into momentum at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, delivering a determined performance across Rounds 7 and 8 of the Toyota GR Cup North America program with Copeland Motorsports. After a challenging start to the weekend hampered by a red-flag interruption in Saturday qualifying, Dupuis responded with grit and composure, gaining seven positions in Race 1 and six more in Race 2 to close out the weekend with a strong eighth-place finish and valuable championship points.
After a Promoters Test Day on Thursday and Official Practice on Friday, Dupuis faced an immediate setback when a red flag curtailed Saturday’s qualifying session before he could find the full rhythm of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The interruption denied the Copeland Motorsports entry the running time needed to work through the circuit’s demanding sequence of elevation changes, leaving Dupuis 20th on the Race 1 grid. Despite the frustrating circumstances, the team kept their focus on the race ahead.
Starting from 20th, Dupuis delivered his first experiencing gaining drive of the weekend. Working his way methodically through the field on a circuit he was still learning, he gained seven positions to finish 13th in a hard-fought battle against experienced competitors.
Sunday told a different story in qualifying. Armed with the confidence and circuit knowledge earned the day before, Dupuis posted an improved lap to qualify 14th – a clear indication that his Saturday race mileage around Road Atlanta was paying dividends. The improved grid position set the stage for a strong race run.
Dupuis saved his best for the last on track session of the weekend. Starting 14th, he executed a composed and determined charge through the field, gaining six positions to cross the line eighth and close out the Road Atlanta weekend on a genuine high. The result not only marked a personal milestone at the circuit but delivered championship points back to the Copeland Motorsports garage – exactly the kind of positive momentum a team needs heading into the next rounds of the season.
“Road Atlanta is one of those tracks where you need laps – and that’s exactly what this weekend gave me,” expressed Dupuis. “The red flag in Saturday qualifying wasn’t the start we wanted, but it made us work harder in the race, and I’m proud of the seven positions we gained. By Sunday, I felt right at home on this circuit and that top-ten finish with championship points is a real confidence boost. Every weekend I’m getting stronger, and I’m grateful to the whole Copeland Motorsports team for giving me the equipment and support to keep pushing forward.”
The next on track action for Dupuis and the rest of the Toyota GR Cup North America program will be a trip to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and the famed Road America over the August 28-30 weekend.
For more information on Nathan Dupuis Motorsports, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Melissa Dupuis via email at Melissa@WorkSmartSafety.com or by phone at 519.819.9887. To learn more about Nathan Dupuis Motorsports, please visit him online via his social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by searching “Nathan Dupuis Motorsports”.
Photo Credit: RTD Media