After two long years of effort, setbacks, and steady growth, Velocity Pro Sims (VPS) Racing finally broke through with a historic second-place finish at the 2025 iRacing Petit Le Mans. The result marks the team’s first-ever podium in a special event — a crowning achievement for an organization built on perseverance, teamwork, and heart.

The 10-hour endurance classic at Road Atlanta is one of iRacing’s most grueling events. With 12 turns and over 120 feet of elevation change per lap, the virtual version of the famed circuit captures every bit of the chaos and beauty of its real-world counterpart. For VPS Racing, this year’s Petit was not only about pace — it was about patience, execution, and unity.

The week leading up to the race was one of focus and determination. Countless practice laps, late-night setup tweaks, and official IMSA test sessions set the tone. The team — made up of Steven Hickham Jr., Dylan Slonetsky, and Edwin Litolff — worked tirelessly with crew chief Dougy Trupski and engineer Anthony Aznar, perfecting a setup that prioritized tire longevity and balance over raw pace. From the start, there was confidence in the garage. Still, no one expected how well everything would finally come together. “Saturday we had the best team performance since I’ve been a part of VPS and Racing for Mental Health,” said Edwin Litolff. “Anthony and Steven made a great setup, and we practiced all week. For 10 hours, Steven and Dylan showed up and rocked it — no wrecks, no penalties. They set me up to finish the race on cruise control. We’ve been talking about putting together one of these races for a long time, and we finally did it.”

Qualifying duties fell to Dylan Slonetsky, who managed a solid starting position after a last-minute setup change. The Cadillac GTP rolled off ninth — not ideal, but well within striking distance. Moments before the green flag, a sudden connectivity issue sidelined Dylan. Without hesitation, Steven Hickham Jr. jumped into the driver’s seat to take the start. It could have spelled disaster, but instead, it became the first of many examples of VPS’s growing maturity under pressure. “Steven handled the situation perfectly and didn’t allow any start pressure to affect his racecraft,” Dylan explained. “He kept calm, avoided the early carnage, and put us in a great position for the long run.” Steven’s composure helped VPS move forward through attrition. By the time Dylan rejoined for his first full stint, the car was already running in the mid-pack — clean, consistent, and ready to climb.

Once in the car, Dylan Slonetsky focused on consistency. “I just went to work on trying to keep it clean and keep pace up,” he explained. “We weren’t fighting for top positions early on, but that allowed us to focus on the long game. After my first stint, we were up to P6 or P7.” That philosophy — clean, patient, and methodical — defined VPS’s race. As other teams fell victim to penalties, contact, or over-aggression, VPS simply executed. Hour by hour, the team’s steady rhythm began to pay off. Crew chief Dougy Trupski, overseeing strategy from the virtual pit wall, watched it all unfold. “Every lap early on was a challenge,” he said. “Managing traffic, avoiding spins, keeping the car safe — the guys handled it perfectly. Mid-race, I actually had a personal emergency and had to step away, and without hesitation, the rest of the team stepped right up. When I came back, they were still pushing strong.” That ability to adapt under pressure defined the day. By the six-hour mark, VPS was in the top five, running flawlessly. Tire wear was under control, pit stops were clean, and driver swaps went off without a hitch.

As night fell over Road Atlanta, the race came down to execution. With just a few hours remaining, VPS found themselves in striking distance of the podium. A potential drive-through penalty loomed for incident points — one mistake could have undone everything. But once again, the drivers’ discipline showed through. “We were facing pressure with a potential penalty,” Dougy Trupski said, “but the team drove clean and safe while keeping solid pace. Through brilliant pit strategy and consistency, we climbed from fifth to fourth, then to third — and finally into second.” Dylan Slonetsky took on the final heavy-lifting stint, charging hard to gain time before handing the car off to Edwin Litolff for the close. “Final stint — time to get time gained for the team,” Dylan said. “We pushed hard, and through attrition and racecraft, we jumped two more spots to take the finish in P2. We finished above 90% of the fastest teams without being the fastest ourselves. This is an incredible achievement — the only thing next is a win.” When the checkered flag fell, the VPS Cadillac GTP rolled across the line second overall. No penalties. No damage. No missed steps. Just pure, collective execution.

For Steven Hickham Jr., the podium felt like the culmination of years of effort and faith — both in the team and in himself. “What can I say about this year’s Petit? It still feels unreal,” Steven said. “Two years ago when Jose asked me to join, I was nervous but excited. After Daytona this year, the team really started coming together. Dougy’s dedication brought us to another level, and now Edwin, Dylan, and I race like we’re one driver. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and it just clicks.” Steven was also quick to credit those who helped make it possible. “The progress we’ve made since Daytona is the kind of progress that takes other teams years. I’m beyond thankful to Jose for the opportunity, to my family, to our sponsors, and to God. I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.”

Team owner Jose Cabrera was equally emotional after the team’s milestone finish. “Amazing result,” Cabrera said. “Beyond proud of everyone and incredibly grateful for all of you representing the brand. The teamwork from everyone was outstanding — we keep building positive momentum, and this is exactly what we need. This will keep pushing us to get better and better.”

For Edwin Litolff, the significance went beyond the result itself. “I’ve been on iRacing for six years and never had a podium in any special event,” he said. “This one feels so great, and I wouldn’t have wanted it to happen with anyone else. I’m so proud of this team, and thankful that I get to race while advocating for mental health. God has truly blessed me.”

In just two years, VPS Racing has evolved from a small, passionate sim racing effort into a polished, competitive endurance team. The arrival of key personnel like Dougy Trupski and Anthony Aznar has elevated preparation and setup work to a professional level, while the chemistry among the drivers has created something rare in endurance racing — total trust. “Endurance racing is truly a team effort,” Trupski reflected. “You can’t win these races alone. It’s about communication, trust, and commitment. Every person here gave 100%, and this result proves that.” From near-misses to mechanical heartbreaks to growing pains at events like Daytona, the journey to this podium was anything but easy. But through faith, friendship, and persistence, VPS Racing turned lessons into results.

As the team looks toward the 2026 iRacing Daytona 24 Hours, there’s a renewed sense of belief. The goal is no longer to survive — it’s to win. “We’ve finished higher every event we’ve entered,” Dylan Slonetsky said with a grin. “The only thing left now is a team win.”

VPS Racing extends sincere thanks to its partners and sponsors:
Velocity Pro Sims, Sim Rental Pros, Cutty Clothing, Compressor & Turbine Services, MPI, Rexing, Brandt, and ASIM Racing for Mental Health — each playing a vital role in helping the team reach this milestone.

For a team that’s built its reputation on resilience, humility, and heart, the 2025 Petit Le Mans wasn’t just another race. It was proof that years of hard work, late nights, and shared faith can turn dreams into reality. And now, with momentum finally on their side, VPS Racing’s journey to the top of the podium feels closer than ever.