Indianapolis was the scene of a weekend that put Kiko Porto to the test both on and off the track. Called up for the third time to replace driver Jem Hepworth, who remains sidelined with an injury, the Brazilian from Pernambuco took on two competitions at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, he shared the #2 Lamborghini of Rafa Racing Team with Tyler Gonzalez and secured a 2nd-place finish in Race 2. In the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, he gained eleven positions during his stint, but a late-race penalty prevented the comeback from ending on the podium. Eleven Positions Gained — and a Penalty Along the Way The first challenge of the weekend came in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. In the GS class, Kiko shared the #12 Rafa Racing Team Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO with teammate Varun Choksey. The American started from 10th and remained behind the wheel until the driver change. When the car reached the leading pack, the team called him into the pits. Kiko took over the Toyota in 17th place. From that moment on, he launched a charge through the field. One overtake after another, the Brazilian moved steadily forward and brought the car up to 6th place before a caution came out. His pace put the team back into contention at the front just as the race was entering its decisive stages. A subsequent penalty of more than one minute for a “class split” ultimately dropped the #12 Toyota out of podium contention. The recovery built on track was not enough to offset the time lost to the penalty. “It was one of those days when the best thing to do is forget about it. We had a very good race and crossed the finish line in 6th after dropping back to 17th during the pit-stop procedure. We received a penalty of more than one minute for the ‘class split’ procedure. I thought it was kind of bizarre, so it’s better not to go into too much detail.” When Opportunity Knocks, Kiko Delivers on Track Once again called upon to step in for Jem Hepworth, Kiko had to quickly readapt to the demands of the PRO-class Lamborghini. Alongside American driver Tyler Gonzalez, the Brazilian entered another round of the season with the responsibility of turning the opportunity into performance. Qualifying showed exactly that. Tyler Gonzalez posted the 9th-fastest time for Race 1, while Kiko secured 4th place in the qualifying session that set the grid for Race 2. Starting from the second row gave the Brazilian a strong platform for the race, and he made the most of the opportunity from the opening meters. In Race 1, Tyler gained two positions at the start. During the second half of the race, Kiko took over and continued to make progress, closing in on the fight for third place. The problem came just as the team began to see a genuine podium opportunity: the engine began cutting out, repeating an issue that had already appeared during the second practice session. Despite the setback, the duo brought the #2 Lamborghini home in 6th place. The result did not fully reflect the pace shown on track, but it sent a clear message heading into Race 2: the car had the speed to fight at the front. A Start That Changed the Course of the Weekend In Race 2, Kiko turned his pace into a result. Starting from the second row, the Brazilian made a precise and aggressive launch, quickly moving up to 2nd place on the opening lap and putting Rafa Racing Team back into direct contention for a podium finish. After completing his stint, Kiko handed the Lamborghini over to Tyler Gonzalez. The American held the position and brought the car to the checkered flag in 2nd place. For Kiko Porto, it marked another podium appearance in his third start of the season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. “We started well in Race 1. Tyler passed two cars at the beginning of the race, then I got in the car, passed another one, and was closing in on third place to fight for the podium when the engine started cutting out, an issue we had been dealing with since Practice 2. In Race 2, I managed to start further up the grid. I was already in 2nd place on the first lap, handed the car over to Tyler, and we managed to hold the position. I had already finished 2nd once and had two third-place finishes in the previous two rounds. Now it’s another podium, once again in 2nd, so there’s another trophy to add to the collection.” Final Stop of the Season The next challenge already has a date and venue. Kiko Porto will return to the track for the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season finale, taking place from September 30 to October 3 at Road Atlanta in Georgia. The sixth and final round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America will take place at Monza, Italy, from October 21 to 23. Kiko Porto has not yet been confirmed by Rafa Racing Team for another substitute appearance for Jem Hepworth. However, the Brazilian has already shown that, if called upon, he is ready to deliver.