Burton/Kozarov Duo Returns to Watkins Glen Int’l This Weekend Seeking More Victories at the Famed Road Circuit with Rearden Racing

Burton/Kozarov Duo Returns to Watkins Glen Int’l This Weekend Seeking More Victories at the Famed Road Circuit with Rearden Racing

Watkins Glen, NY - The Rearden Racing team has a familiar spot at the Watkins Glen International road course – victory lane.

In 2018, veteran racer Vesko Kozarov of Salt Lake City, UT, captured the TC America series championship for the Rearden squad at the historic 3.4-mile road course in upstate New York. And, in the team’s last Watkins Glen appearance in 2019, Kozarov and his regular partner, Jeff Burton also of Salt Lake City, took honors in the GT4 SprintX Am division. 

Now, the Utah-based racing organization is going back to Watkins Glen International for the SRO America road racing doubleheader set for this weekend (Sept. 17-19) in several divisions, and Kozarov and Burton have new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 sports cars for the contests.

Burton comes to Watkins Glen after victories in the GT America powered by AWS Masters division at Nashville and several runner-up finishes in 2021 in his No. 191 Burton Lumber/Rearden Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 machine. The Utah businessman/racer has set his sights in the 40-minute sprint events set for Saturday at 5:20 p.m. EDT and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. EDT. 

In the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS races, Burton and Kozarov team up in the No. 91 Burton Lumber/Rearden Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 vehicle in the two Pro/Am 90-minute, two-driver main events at Watkins Glen scheduled for Saturday at 1:45 p.m. EDT and Sunday at 1:15 p.m. EDT.  

“I thoroughly enjoy Watkins Glen,” said Burton. “You really need to be precise with the throttle and the brake, as the Glen surface has so much grip potential. If you’re willing to put the car on the edge and trust what you and the car can do, you will find yourself at the front of the pack. 

“The Glen has so many areas, corners that you can pass or be passed.  Nine out of the 11 corners are those passing areas, so corner speed is extremely important. I hope the car’s set-up that I so much rely on will be competitive. That will be the refining difference for me.”

Rearden Racing’s success at Watkins Glen International shows the team’s experience at the famed road course and team owner Lara Tallman believes the new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 cars will be in contention in all four races this weekend.

“Our Rearden team has been successful at Watkins Glen over the years, and we expect to continue that trend this weekend,” said Tallman. “We began the season with new equipment for Jeff, Vesko and the whole team. We needed to learn about the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 sports cars and the new class for us with Pro/Am. And Jeff has been outstanding in the Masters’ Division sprint races this year and we are improving each race in the GT World Challenge America class. That category is very competitive. We are ready for a strong weekend.”

The Fanatec GT World Challenge America race at Watkins Glen International will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.