The final Grand-Am Cup race of the season was run without any caution periods as championship contenders had unexpected disappointments and teams pitting under green offered numerous lead changes. At the end of the Grand-Am Cup 250 at California Speedway, Dave Lacey and Greg Wilkins were at the front of the Grand Sports (GS) field in the No. 17 Doncaster Racing Porsche 996.

Craig Stanton, just four points down from driver championship leader Terry Borcheller, started the race from the pole in the No. 43 TheRaceSite.com Racing Porsche 996. He took the lead at the start, with Devon Powell behind him in the No. 11 Powell Motorsport Cadillac CTS-V that he shares with Borcheller.

Wilkins started the race for the No. 71 Porsche, and by the third lap he was up into the third spot.

On lap ten, Powell took the lead away from Stanton. The No. 43 Porsche stayed ahead of Wilkins, who maintained third.

Just 23 laps into the race, the No. 11 Cadillac and the No. 91 Doncaster Racing Porsche 996 made contact. Powell made his way slowly around the track and pitted. Borcheller took the Cadillac back onto the track 13 minutes later after the crew made repairs, but too much time had been lost and the team went on to finish 28th overall and 13 laps down from the race winner.

With Borcheller out of contention for a high finish, Stanton and co-driver David Murry had only to keep their car out of trouble in order for Stanton to get the GS driver championship. They were on their way to doing just that, taking the lead when the Cadillac dropped back.