Category: Trans Am

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli has announced a new racing class for the 2025 season. Named TA Cup, the class will utilize high-performance spec tube-frame vehicles with silhouette bodies, which will be eligible for competition in the Western Championship, as well as in the National Championship under the Pick 6 Challenge. The machines are produced by Chris Evans Inc. (CEI), owned by two-time Western Championship title winner Chris Evans.

The 600 rear-wheel horsepower TA Cup cars have been competing in the Western Championship’s XGT class since 2023, but with the growing number of current and prospective car owners, the cars are now being separated into their own class to allow for greater competition and differentiation between the single-builder cars and the production class. The 2900-pound cars run on 18in. Pirelli P ZERO slicks and utilize the previous generation of NASCAR engines.

“In 2023, Trans Am formalized a partnership with Chris Evans, Inc. to produce a spec tube-frame car with a performance envelope that fell into the XGT class,” said TA technical director Aaron Coalwell. “For the last two years, the CEI cars have competed in that class, but based on the number of cars that CEI has already sold, Trans Am feels that there is significant potential for the number of these cars to grow substantially, and that it is time to separate out the CEI cars from the other XGT cars so that the TA Cup brand may be developed further.”

“One of the benefits of having a spec car built by one supplier is that it is easier to inspect and control developmental drift that you see in most classes. This class will continue to race with the TA and GT classes until the number of cars grows enough to warrant their own race group. We look forward to seeing the TA Cup class grow and become synonymous with the Trans Am Series over the next few years.”

“Our cars are a collaborative effort between Jerry Pitts, Jeff Jefferson, and Aaron Coalwell, as well as Chris Rohm, who is helping fine tune how we’re building things and the quality that we’re putting into them,” said Chris Evans. “We think that these are a great value for the car’s capability. The whole idea is that the concept is very simple, the rules are very straightforward, and therefore, very easy in the technical inspection line. We’re able to look at these from a manufacturing point of view, rather than a custom build, which is going to keep the costs down a bit looking into the future. We’re really happy about TA Cup.”

“The Trans Am Series is such a strong racing authority across the country with a solid foundation, so to have a class under their roof is exceptional,” said Jeff Jefferson. “TA Cup is the perfect name for our type of cars. We are excited for the future of the Trans Am Series and TA Cup.”

“The CEI race cars have become one of my main focuses for good reason,” added Chris Rohm. “It’s one of the only race cars on the market with the main focus being simplicity and speed. The cars are about racing, not about outspending or outwitting the other guy.”

The Chris Evans Inc. cars were most recently on the track earlier this month at Circuit of The Americas in the XGT class piloted by Evans (No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang), Will Rodgers (No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro) John Moore (No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang) and Ken Sutherland (No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger). Rodgers was the top finisher in both National and Western Championship competition, winning the race and finishing second overall.

The Trans Am Hall of Fame becomes official Feb. 21, 2025, when Tony Parella welcomes its inaugural class of drivers and team owners to a celebratory dinner at Sebring International Raceway, where it all began 58 years ago.

“Trans Am is the longest-running professional road racing series in North America,” said Parella, founder and CEO of Parella Motorsports Holdings. “The series has made a significant impact in the world of racing and has been home to some of the greatest names in motorsports. It deserves a Hall of Fame to commemorate the legacy of its great drivers and team owners.”

The Trans Am Hall of Fame has been established by Parella as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and it will have a permanent home at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Originally billed as the Trans-American Sedan Championship, the series held its first race on March 25, 1966, at Sebring. This first season was composed of seven races, which are commemorated in the seven stars of the new Trans Am Hall of Fame logo.

The inaugural class of 17 inductees — which includes Trans Am drivers and team owners who are household names among fans of the series — will be honored at the Trans Am Series season opener at Sebring as part of the Sebring SpeedTour weekend. The event weekend will feature both the current cars and drivers of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, as well as Historic Trans Am.

The inductees will be revealed closer to the event date.

The checkered flag has waved on the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s 2024 season. After back-to-back races, Chris Dyson won the TA season finale, while Paul Menard claimed his first championship in the class. Brent Crews won his second CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race of the year after just four starts, while Rafa Matos secured his third-career championship.

Kyle Kelley won the Western Championship’s TA2 race, while Michael LaPaglia earned enough points to clinch the title. Sam Correy earned his first-career victory in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge, and Will Rodgers, Josh Carlson and Chris Coffey won in XGT, SGT and GT, respectively.

Notes of interest:

* Paul Menard earned his first-career Trans Am championship.
* Menard made his first-career start in the series in 2002, but this is his first full-time championship effort. He won six races this season.
* Rafa Matos clinched his third-career TA2 championship. He is the first driver in the class to ever win three titles (2018, 2021, 2024).
* Matos won five races this year and is the winningest driver in TA2 with 25 victories.
* Michael LaPaglia clinched his first TA2 Western Championship title.
* Chris Evans is the Western Championship’s XGT champion. He has one previous title in SGT.
* Prior to COTA, Barry Boes was crowned the winner of the TA2 Pro/Am Challenge, Danny Lowry won the XGT championship, Kaylee Bryson clinched SGT’s title, Chris Coffey clinched the GT championship, Steve Goldman won the Western Championship’s TA title, and David Hampton earned the Western Championship’s GT title.

Although he did not finish the season with his fourth consecutive title, Dyson ended 2024 on a high, driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle in the season finale. With a fast No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang, he was consistent throughout the race as the drivers around him faced attrition, claiming his third victory of the year.

Paul Menard (No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang) started the race from the pole and was fast from the time the green flag waved. Unfortunately, after leading the first 15 laps of the race, Menard’s car began to smoke and slow, and he was forced onto pit lane with a spark plug issue.

Thomas Annunziata (No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger) took over the top position and led the next four laps, but Dyson was right on his tail, overtaking Annunziata on lap 21. Annunziata remained in Dyson’s wake after the pass, and the two were only a half-second apart, with Annunziata challenging Dyson every way he could for the next four circuits.

Unfortunately, a mechanical issue brought Annunziata to a halt with just three laps remaining, prompting the caution that would end green-flag competition. With Annunziata stopped on track, Dyson was followed across the finish line by the Drissi Motorsports entries of Don Yount (No. 7 Southwest Funding/Villa Carrera/DM Chevrolet Camaro) and Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Drissi Motorsports/Lucas/Mission Chevrolet Camaro), who battled each other mercilessly throughout the 30-lap event. Annunziata was scored fourth, and fifth was Austin native Gar Robinson in the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro.

“I’ve got to say that these guys over here, they gave me a great car all year,” said Dyson. “We just weren’t able to show enough wins this year, so this feels great to finish this year with a win. I think it carries great momentum through the winter. I’m so happy to have my wife here this weekend with me. The family was with us a lot this year, and it was just really special. And I’m just really proud of the guys; they’ve done an amazing job. Thanks to Mike Lanci on the engines.

“This one’s for Bob Riley; we lost him last week. He gave us an absolute missile rocketship as a parting gift in a really distinguished career. I was absolutely honored to work with him, and I’m really proud to have that car in Victory Lane here today.”

TA Champions
National Championship: Paul Menard
Western Championship: Steve Goldman

TA Top Five:
1. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang
2. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Drissi Motorsports/Lucas/Mission Chevrolet Camaro
3. Don Yount, No. 7 Southwest Funding/Villa Carrera/DM Chevrolet Camaro
4. Thomas Annunziata No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger
5. Gar Robinson, No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro

EMCO Gears Lap Leader:
Paul Menard, No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang

Carson Kvapil in the No. 17 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro started the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race from the pole, but immediately lost his position when the green flag waved. Third-place starter Nathan Herne (No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro) took over the point position, followed by Thomas Merrill (No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang).

Herne controlled the race until lap 11, when 2022 champion Merrill made the pass for the lead, but Herne got back past him on lap 14. When Merrill lost the lead, it cost him momentum, allowing Thomas Annunziata (No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage Funding/Chriswell Ford Mustang) to slide into the runner-up spot, with Merrill moving back to third. By lap 22, Annunziata was able to chase down Herne, taking the lead for the first time. At the same time, Brent Crews entered the hunt for a podium spot, slipping into third. Just two laps later, Crews moved into second and began to pursue Annunziata.

On lap 28, Crews and Annunziata were drag racing for the victory, but at the same time, the yellow flag was waved for an impact in Turn 19. At the time of the caution, Crews had inched ahead of Annunziata, and with the race unable to return to green-flag racing, he was declared the winner. Annunziata was second, followed by Merrill, Herne, and Evan Slater (No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro), who clinched a top-five position on the last lap. With an eighth-place finish, Rafa Matos (No. 60 Concord American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) claimed his third TA2 championship.

“I want to thank the good Lord above for letting me be here and keeping me safe,” said Crews. “I want to give a huge congratulations to the whole Nitro Motorsports crew, everybody on the No. 60 crew, and Rafa Matos for his championship; that’s super cool, and so is the fact that this team went back-to-back. [Team owner] Nick [Tucker] has made such a great race team these past couple years, and it’s pretty cool to see it evolve from a one-car team to seven cars this weekend.

“Being able to finish one-two between myself and Thomas [Annunziata] is pretty sweet. I want to thank everybody at Franklin Road Apparel, Nick Tucker, Joe Claridge, my dad, Shannon, who’s here with us now, and everybody that touches this thing. They did a great job all weekend. Being able to charge through the field like that late is pretty cool, and I’m just happy to be here, happy to get another win, and hopefully I’ll see y’all next year.”

In the Pro/Am Challenge, Sam Correy in the No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang won the race in his very first Trans Am start.

“It’s awesome to be here,” said Correy. “As of two weeks ago, we didn’t know we were going to be in this race, so our first weekend here, the first time in the car, it was really good to get a grip on it. It’s a really fun car; it’s enjoyable. I can’t thank Nitro Motorsports enough, everyone at Trans Am, everyone at CUBE 3. I also want to thank Stilo and Red Line Oil, all the guys that have helped get me here, my mom and my dad. I can’t wait to be back.”

In the Western Championship, Tim Barber in the No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang started from the first position and maintained it for the first 15 laps. However, when trouble struck Barber, it was Kyle Kelley in the No. 80 PK+k Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang who inherited the lead after running second for the first half of the event. JC Meynet (No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro) took over second, and despite early troubles and a spin, championship leader Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) was able to hold on to claim the third position on the podium and capture the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series title. Barber salvaged a fourth-place finish, and Victor Czapla in the No. 88 Cool Boxx Dodge Challenger rounded out the top five.

“It feels pretty great, especially being a little behind in practice and qualifying,” said Kelley. “We just kept throwing stuff at it and went with a setup that nobody else seemed to want to go with, but it worked for us. It worked for our car, and we ended up getting where we needed to be.”

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Champions
National Championship: Rafa Matos
Pro/Am Challenge: Barry Boes
Western Championship: Michael LaPaglia

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series National Championship Top Five:
1. Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
2. Thomas Annunziata, No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage Funding/Chriswell Ford Mustang
3. Thomas Merrill, No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang
4. Nathan Herne, No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro
5. Evan Slater, No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge Top Five:
1. Sam Corry, No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
2. Keith Prociuk, No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang
3. Tom Sheehan, No. 97 Vixen Motorcycles/LTK Insulation Ford Mustang
4. Barry Boes, No. 27 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang
5. Jared Odrick, No. 0 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship Top Five:
1. Kyle Kelley, No. 80 PK+k Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang
2. JC Meynet, No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro
3. Michael LaPaglia, No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang
4. Tim Barber, No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang
5. Victor Czapla, No. 88 Cool Boxx Dodge Challenger

Omologato Watches Fastest Lap of the Race:
Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang

Bassett Hard Charger:
Adam Andretti, No. 41 Ultimate Headers Racing Chevrolet Camaro

Cool Boxx Coolest Move of the Race:
Bob Accardo Jr., No. 39 Accurate Arms/R.A.C.E. Marketing USA Chevrolet Camaro

Will Rodgers was the class of the XGT class field all weekend in his No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro, dominating on both the National Championship and Western Championship sides as an entrant in both classes. He led every lap and even challenged a number of the TA competitors, finishing the race second overall. Teammate Ken Sutherland (No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger) and team owner Chris Evans (No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang) were also running both classes, and took second and third on the podium, respectively. John Moore (No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang) and Scott Dollahite (No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8) rounded out the top five on the National side.

In the Western Championship, Michael McAleenan (No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO) was able to beat Sutherland, earning second place, with Sutherland finishing third. Evans and Moore were scored fourth and fifth in Western.

“Our race was pretty damn good,” said Rodgers. “This race showed exactly what this Chris Evans Inc. XGT car is that I’ve been very privileged to race over the last two years for Chris Evans, and Jeff Jefferson, and Jerry Pitts. It’s nothing short of a badass car. So, anybody that has any interest, come check it out. This class is seriously going somewhere. I’m very thankful to be here and had a great time.”

XGT Champions
National Championship: Danny Lowry
Western Championship: Chris Evans

XGT Results:
National Championship
1. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro
2. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger
3. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang
4. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang
5. Scott Dollahite, No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8

Western Championship
1. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro
2. Michael McAleenan, No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO
3. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger
4. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang
5. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang

Josh Carlson in the No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang dominated in the SGT race, driving from last to first and checking out from his competitors. Starting fourth, Carlson took the point position by the conclusion of the second lap and held the lead until the checkered flag waved, earning his first-career SGT victory. Kaylee Bryson (No. 02 Logical Systems Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette) started second and held the position for the entire race. Lee Saunders (No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper) started the race first but had an issue early on that dropped him back to third. Michael LaPaglia (No. 81 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) finished fourth after mechanical issues forced him to retire early.

“We didn’t really know what to expect for a finish today, considering that we had some gremlins in the car during practice and we only got one qualifying lap,” said Carlson. “We were really happy with how the car was running. I can’t thank my team or my sponsors enough for everything they’ve done for me all season to make this one finally happen for us this year. Thank you to Trans Am for putting on such a great show all year. I really enjoy running here.”

SGT Champion
National Championship: Kaylee Bryson

SGT Results:
1. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang
2. Kaylee Bryson, No. 02 Logical Systems Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette
3. Lee Saunders, No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper
4. Michael LaPaglia. No. 81 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang

The GT race finished the same way it started, with 2024 champion Chris Coffey (No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4) leading from flag to flag. After challenging Coffey at the start of the race, as well as on the restarts, GT Western Championship title winner David Hampton (No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport) started and finished second, and Colin Cohen in the No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4 finished third.

“Oh, it was incredible,” said Coffey. “[David Hampton] gave me a run right there at the start. It was a long race and I was biting my fingernails at these restarts with him right behind me. But the first person I have to thank up here is Colin [Cohen]. Without Colin, I couldn’t be here. I couldn’t even be at the track right now. So, hats off to him and thank you for everything that you do for me and for keeping me on the racetrack. Morgan, my wife, and my son, Sam, came to support me this weekend. I couldn’t be happier to have them here this weekend. It was picturesque. I mean, just absolute best days of my life right now. It’s awesome.”

GT Champions
National Championship: Chris Coffey
Western Championship: David Hampton

GT Results:
National Championship
1. Chris Coffey, No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4
2. David Hampton, No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport
3. Colin Cohen, No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4

Stream the season finales for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, at Circuit of The Americas, starting with the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race Sunday at 10:35am CT, followed by the TA/XGT/SGT/GT race at 12:45pm CT.

TA points leader Paul Menard moved a step closer to a title by taking pole position for Sunday’s Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli season finale at Circuit of The Americas. Carson Kvapil earned his first-career pole in TA2.

The season finale CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race will be contested on Sunday at 10:35am CT, followed by the TA/XGT/SGT/GT race at 12:45pm CT. The races will be streamed live here and broadcast live on MAVTV. The highlight shows of the races will air on MAVTV on Thursday, Nov. 7, with the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race airing at 8:00pm ET and TA/XGT/SGT/GT airing at 9:00pm ET.

Menard laid down a blazing-fast time of 2m03.800s in his No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang. Menard goes into the season finale with a 93-point lead over second-place Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) and is hoping to capture his first-career Trans Am title.

“I’m just super proud of everybody at 3GT,” said Menard. “You know, we don’t have the championship locked up by any means, but we’re really dang close. We came into this last race, not to coast and just collect a couple points, but we wanted to win the pole, and we want to win the race. We did the first part, and we’re going to race like hell tomorrow.”

Kvapil claimed his first-career pole in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, making a lap time of 2m10.459s in his No. 17 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Kvapil. “This is obviously my first time here at COTA, so not getting to test or anything like that, just kind of winging it and coming here for the weekend, is a little tough. We had an engine let go last practice and we only made one lap with sticker tires, so it’s pretty cool to be on the pole here at COTA. Hopefully this car stays fast, which I’m sure it will with Scott [Lagasse Jr.] and the whole Chevy group taking care of it. I just can’t thank everybody enough for putting in the hard work, especially today swapping motors.”

XGT’s Will Rodgers (No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro) was the fastest of the Western Championship competitors in TA/XGT/SGT/GT time trials, qualifying sixth overall with a best time of 2m06.751s.

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship title contender Tim Barber is starting his weekend off on the right foot, setting a lap time of 2m12.058s in his No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang. Barber currently sits 43 points behind current leader Michael LaPaglia (No. 31. Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang), who qualified fifth in class.

Newcomer Scott Dollahite in the No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8 was the fastest National Championship XGT competitor. Lee Saunders in the No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge was fastest of the SGT drivers, and 2024 GT champion Chris Coffey in the No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4 was best in his class.

TA Qualifying Top Five:

1. Paul Menard, No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang (2:03.800)

2. Gar Robinson, No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro (2:04.493)

3. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang (2:05.012)

4. Thomas Annunziata No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger (2:05.268)

5. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Drissi Motorsports/Lucas/Mission Chevrolet Camaro (2:06.966)

XGT Qualifying:

National Championship

1. Scott Dollahite, No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8 (2:06.593)

2. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro (2:06.751)

3. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger (2:09.465)

4. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang (2:14.627)

5. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang (2:32.506)

Western Championship

1. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro (2:06.751)

2. Michael McAleenan, No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO (2:08.974)

3. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger (2:09.465)

4. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang (2:14.627)

5. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang (2:32.506)

SGT Qualifying:

National Championship

1. Lee Saunders, No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper (2:18.358)

2. Kaylee Bryson, No. 02 Logical Systems Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette (2:18.482)

3. Michael LaPaglia. No. 81 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang (2:20.182)

4. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang (2:25.485)

GT Qualifying:

National Championship

1. Chris Coffey, No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4 (2:15.844)

2. David Hampton, No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport (2:20.106)

3. Colin Cohen, No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4 (2:28.265)

Full TA/XGT/SGT/GT qualifying results can be found here.

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Qualifying Top Five:

National Championship

1. Carson Kvapil, No. 17 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro (2:10.459)

2. Thomas Merrill, No. 26 Bennett/HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang (2:10.583)

3. Nathan Herne, No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro (2:10.623)

4. Thomas Annunziata, No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (2:10.631)

5. Brent Crews, No. 70 Franklin Road/Mobil 1/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (2:10.677)

Western Championship

1. Tim Barber, No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang (2:12.058)

2. Kyle Kelley, No. 80 PK+k Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang (2:13.787)

3. JC Meynet, No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro (2:13.924)

4. Tim Carroll, No. 46 CRDMFG.com Chevrolet Camaro (2:14.306)

5. Michael LaPaglia, No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang (2:14.366)

Full TA2 qualifying results can be found here.

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli heads to Austin, Texas for the final event of 2024 at Circuit of The Americas, the COTA SpeedTour. Always the biggest race of the year, both in terms of stakes and entrants, 66 competitors will take the green flag between the National Championship and Western Championship in Sunday’s two races. The big finale still has many titles up for grabs, including TA and the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series.

 

This weekend’s event marks the launch of the SpeedTour Sim Racing Trailer. Located in the Main Paddock, the trailer features Simshop racing simulators running the iRacing platform. Guests in attendance can compete in the SpeedTour Checkered Flag Challenge and try to set the fastest lap of the weekend. You may even get to race against drivers from the Trans Am Series, Formula Regional Americas Championship or Formula 4 United States Championship.

13 different drivers on this week’s entry list have previously driven into GYM WEED Winners Circle at COTA. Of past winners, two drivers have stood atop the podium three times: Adam Andretti has a TA win in 2015, a TA2 victory in 2019, and a TAH win in 2022. CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship title contender Michael LaPaglia has two Western SGT wins and one Western TA2 victory.

In addition to Trans Am wins, a few drivers have taken the checkered flag in other series. Chris Coffey has won at the track in NASA and SCCA, in addition to his two GT victories. Bryan Scheible (No. 53 Alliance Autosport Chevrolet Camaro) has also won at the track in SCCA, and Jon DeGaynor (No. 04 Speed Dream’n Racing Ford Mustang) has won in SVRA.

Thomas Annunziata will get behind the wheel of his No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage/Chriswell Ford Mustang to defend his first-career CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series win last year. To add to the challenge, he’ll also be running double duty, making his second-career TA start, this time in the No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger, less than an hour after the TA2 checkered flag waves.

Michael LaPaglia will be racing for the TA2 title in the Western Championship in his No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang just before hitting the track in the TA/XGT/SGT/GT race to compete in SGT. Last year he also competed in both TA2 and SGT in the Western Championship, winning both races.

Seven drivers in Sunday’s races call the Lone Star State home. The closest to home at COTA are Gar Robinson from Spicewood, Scott Dollahite from Dripping Springs and Bryan Scheible from Georgetown.

While several Texas locals will have a short commute to COTA, one driver will be earning a lot of frequent flier miles in the next three weeks. Australian Nathan Herne (No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro) is kicking off a three-week journey where he will travel to Austin for this weekend’s race, then back to Australia for races at the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales and the Adelaide Street Circuit in Adelaide, South Australia. The two-time TA2 Australia champion will journey nearly 30,000 kilometers (more than 18,000 miles) over 57 hours of travel between now and November 17.

Menard vs. Dyson

The TA championship all comes down to the final race of the season, where Paul Menard (No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang) and Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) will face off. All signs point to Menard earning his first-career Trans Am title, as he comes into the weekend with a 93-point advantage. However, if he has any catastrophic mechanical issues or crash damage in practice or qualifying and can’t take the green flag, Dyson would capture his fourth-consecutive championship.

GT titles clinched

While the TA title is yet to be claimed, the XGT, SGT and GT championships have all been clinched, meaning those drivers in attendance can focus on winning and nothing else this weekend.

XGT’s Danny Lowry in the No. 42 Bennett/BridgeHaul/PitBoxes.com Mercedes AMG GT3 has clinched his second-consecutive XGT title.

Kaylee Bryson in the No. 02 Logical Systems Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette has captured the SGT title, making her the second female SGT champion and third female champion in Trans Am history.

After a dominating season, Chris Coffey has earned the GT championship, with seven victories so far in his No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4.

Western Championship update

In the Western Championship, the TA and GT titles have been decided, but XGT will come down to race day.

Steve Goldman (No. 13 LIG Racing Chevrolet Corvette) has wrapped up the TA championship with four wins.

David Hampton, who will compete in the National Championship this weekend, has tied up the GT title on the strength of five victories, winning every Western GT event he’s entered this season in his No. 14 AR Motorsport Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

Michelle Nagai (No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro) currently leads the XGT standings, but is not on the entry list this weekend. With a 52-point advantage, it appears that she will be overtaken in the standings by Chris Evans in the No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang. Evans was the 2022 SGT champion in the Western Championship, but this will be his first XGT title.

2015 and 2017 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion Gar Robinson returns to the track this weekend to compete in just his second-career TA event, piloting the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro for Riley Technologies. The Spicewood, Texas native made his TA class debut last year, winning the pole, dominating the race and driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle. Prior to dipping his toe into TA, Robinson previously started 44 races in TA2, earning 11 victories, including one at COTA in 2018.

After making his TA class debut earlier this month at VIRginia International Raceway, Thomas Annunziata is back for more, this time getting behind the wheel of the No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger for Weaver Racing Concepts. Annunziata has one previous win at the track, driving to his first-career CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series victory at COTA just one year ago. Once again competing in both TA and TA2 this weekend, Annunziata will have a much bigger challenge than he did at VIR, as both races are on the same day, with the green flag for the TA race waving less than an hour after the checkered flag for the TA2 race. The stakes are also higher in this TA start, with a larger field, a combination of both National and Western Championship competitors, and the championship for the flagship class still on the line.

TA Pick-Six Challenge competitor Jon DeGaynor will be making only his third start of the season this weekend in his No. 04 Speed Dream’n Racing Ford Mustang, but he already knows what it takes to win at COTA. DeGaynor has a previous victory at the track in the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), earning one of the series’ coveted Gold Helmets in 2018. DeGaynor will once again be competing in SVRA this weekend in addition to his Trans Am duties, piloting the No. 111 1959 Devin Evolution in Group 6.

The month of October is National Liver Awareness Month, and one driver who has beat the odds is Will Rodgers (No. 12 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang). Diagnosed at the age of three with a rare form of liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, he recovered at the age of five following aggressive treatment at Johns Hopkins University and has stayed in remission. He has since started the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation, and is dedicated to spreading the word about liver disease both on and off the track and helping people afford the treatment they need. Find out more here.

Two drivers will be making their first-career Trans Am starts in Sunday’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT race, both in the XGT class. Michael McAleenan will be competing in the No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO and comes to the series from Pirelli GT4 America.

Scott Dollahite in the No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8 has previously competed in GT America and has a start in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

TA2 title decider

Once again, the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion will be decided in the season finale at COTA. This year’s title fight is between two-time champion Rafa Matos (No. 60 Concord American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and 2022 champion Thomas Merrill (No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang). Matos leads the standings by 106 points over Merrill, who sits in contention for the title for the third year in a row. While Matos’ advantage makes him the favorite by far, in 2022, Merrill edged out Matos by earning every possible point at COTA, scoring the pole, leading the most laps and winning the race, tying Matos for the points lead and winning the title by virtue of a tiebreaker. Both Matos and Merrill have victories at the track, with Matos scoring two (2020, 2021) to Merrill’s one. If Matos secures the crown, he will become the first three-time TA2 champion in series history.

Wide-open Western TA2 Championship

While the National Championship has narrowed to two competitors vying for the title, the Western Championship has three drivers mathematically eligible to win the championship in TA2. Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) currently sits atop the standings, holding a 42-point advantage over Tim Barber (No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang). Both LaPaglia and Barber won races in the final doubleheader round of the season at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, with LaPaglia taking Race 1 and Barber taking Race 2. Also in the mix is Kyle Kelley (No. 80 PK+k Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang), who is 39 points behind Barber. In addition to his points tally, LaPaglia has one other advantage going into this weekend: wins. LaPaglia has driven to Victory Lane at COTA three times, winning the TA2 event in 2023, and winning in SGT the last two-consecutive seasons.

Young Gun and Rookie of the Year up for grabs

In addition to both the National and Western Championship TA2 titles being decided this weekend, two other big awards are still up for grabs in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series.

The Young Gun Award, which rewards the highest-finishing TA2 competitor under the age of 25, has three drivers chasing the $20,000 cash prize. 19-year-old Thomas Annunziata (No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage/Chriswell Ford Mustang) currently leads the charge, sitting 21 points ahead of 24-year-old Jake Drew (No. 57 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro). Also mathematically eligible is 15-year-old Ben Maier (No. 40 BOE Marine/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang), who is 16 markers behind Drew.

Rookie of the Year honors has two drivers in the chase, with Drew currently leading Josh Hurley (No. 20 Greenlight Simulation/BCR Ford Mustang) by 76 points.

One driver who knows a lot about winning Rookie of the Year and the Young Gun Award will be taking the green flag this weekend. 2023 TA2 champion Brent Crews (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) will be making his fourth start of the season this weekend at COTA. Crews won Rookie of the Year in 2022 and scored the $20,000 Young Gun payout in both 2022 and 2023.

Bob Accardo, driver of the No. 39 Accurate Arms/R.A.C.E. Marketing USA Chevrolet Camaro, is going to have a very special guest by his side this weekend, an eight-year-old racing fan named Jackson. Jackson was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 2023, undergoing both surgery and aggressive chemotherapy treatments. Now one year in remission, Accardo’s non-profit R.A.C.E. Marketing USA has partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring Jackson back to the racetrack, something he first got to experience when he attended the Daytona 500 in February. In addition to enjoying a weekend of racing with Accardo’s team, Jackson will give the command to start engines before Sunday’s TA2 race alongside Nik Middleton, founding partner and CEO of CUBE 3.

Team SLR has a powerhouse lineup of young drivers this weekend, with three entrants under the age of 21. 18-year-old Evan Slater (No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro) will be making his second start of the season, coming off a second-place finish at Lime Rock Park in May. 21-year-old Carson Kvapil (No. 17 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro) will make his third start of the year. Kvapil finished third in his season debut at Pittsburgh International Race Complex and had a strong run in his most recent outing at Watkins Glen International before a shredded tire took him out of the race. Finally, 14-year-old Tristan McKee (No. 128 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro) returns after finishing fourth in his series debut at VIRginia International Raceway last month.

Three drivers will be making their first-career starts in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series this weekend. Vince Apple will pilot the No. 5 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Apple comes to Trans Am with a primarily open-wheel background, racing karts, Formula Fords and Formula Renault. The last few years he has focused on endurance racing, most notably winning the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in NASA.

Sam Corry (No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) also boasts an open-wheel background, winning races in USF2000 and USF Juniors.

Jordan Anderson hops behind the wheel of Doug Peterson’s No. 87 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang. Anderson is a long-time competitor and team owner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series.

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is saddened by the loss of Bob Riley, a legendary engineer and car designer whose vehicles still compete and win in Trans Am today. Riley has been designing innovative and competitive racecars over the course of five decades, winning events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indy 500, 12 Hours of Sebring and Rolex 24 at Daytona, and his vehicles have won championships in IMSA, INDYCAR and Grand-Am. Trans Am drivers such as Scott Pruett, Scott Sharp, Jack Baldwin and Wally Dallenbach Jr. have won 14 Trans Am titles behind the wheel of Riley-built cars.

Tom Gloy won the 1984 Trans Am championship in a Lincoln-Mercury Capri designed by Riley at Roush Racing. In 1990, Riley and Mark Scott teamed up to form Riley & Scott. The first car the company developed was the Mk I Trans Am chassis, which was piloted to many wins in the series. In 2001, the Mk VIII debuted in Trans Am.

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His most recent contribution to Trans Am, TA’s Ave-Riley AR3, made its on-track debut in 2022, with drivers such as Chris Dyson, Tomy Drissi, Justin Marks, David Pintaric and Gar Robinson finding success in the car since.

“Racing is an engineering sport and there is always something new to learn and apply to the future generation of cars,” Bob Riley said at the time of its release. “We implemented into this car all the thoughts and ideas we have developed over the past 20-plus years since we designed and built their previous generation of cars that are continuing to be raced today.”

Longtime Trans Am competitor David Pintaric took delivery of the very first AR3.

“I was fortunate to be involved with Mr. Riley’s last design project; my current car is chassis No. 1,” said Pintaric. “It was an honor to work with him. He was a great engineer, but an even greater man. He will be missed.”

Three-time TA champion Chris Dyson has been utilizing the AR3 for the last three seasons at his team, CD Racing, including his title-winning years in 2022 and 2023. He has earned two victories in the car this season.

“Twenty-four years ago, I began my professional racing career in a Riley & Scott Mk III, and this year, I’m still winning races in a car that Bob designed,” said Dyson. “That Bob remained a thoughtful and creative force in racecar design through his 80s and into his early 90s is a testament to how his work continues to influence the sport. It was my honor to work with him and enjoy so much success together.”

2009 TA champion Tomy Drissi has driven many Riley cars over the years, and currently owns a stable of them at his team, Drissi Motorsports.

“We lost a racing legend in Bob Riley, and he will never be forgotten,” said Drissi. “I am proud to have driven his cars to poles and wins, and I hope to have many more with him riding along with me.”

A two-time CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion, Gar Robinson made his TA class debut last year in the season finale at Circuit of The Americas behind the wheel of a Riley car, winning the event. He said at the time, “That was probably my favorite start ever in all my all my starts in motorsports. These are the most fun cars to drive. Being able to drive against all the guys that my dad used to drive against, all the legends, and to be a part of it and to share it with all my friends and family is amazing. Extending the relationship between my family and Riley Motorsports and being back here in Trans Am has made this the best day ever.”

TA Technical Director Aaron Coalwell reflected on his meetings with Riley.

“I am relatively new to motorsports compared to Bob Riley, and even though I have heard the name of Bob Riley for many years, I only met Bob after the release of the Riley AR3 car for Trans Am in 2023,” said Coalwell. “Each of the few times I met with Bob, he was so gracious with his time, and willing to share his vast motorsports experience; it made me feel like I had known him much longer than I had. The motorsports world was a better place for Bob Riley being in it, and he will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences go out to Bill Riley and the entire Riley Technologies organization.”

The Trans Am Series expresses condolences to Riley’s family, friends and employees.