Trans Am launches West Coast swing at Sonoma

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is heading across the country for the first of two races in a West Coast swing. First, the National Championship and Western Championship will hit the track together for the Sonoma SpeedTour at Sonoma Raceway …

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is heading across the country for the first of two races in a West Coast swing. First, the National Championship and Western Championship will hit the track together for the Sonoma SpeedTour at Sonoma Raceway before heading to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca the following weekend.

The first Trans Am Series event ever held at Sonoma Raceway was in 1969, with Trans Am Hall of Famers Mark Donohue and Parnelli Jones battling until the checkered flag, which was ultimately taken by Donohue. 26 National Championship events have been previously held at Sonoma, and the Western Championship has held 11 races at the track. While the Western Championship has been visiting wine country every year since 2018, this is only the second time that the National Championship has taken on the hilly 12-turn course in the last two decades, with the most recent visit coming in 2022. Prior to that event, the last National race held at Sonoma was in 2004.

Five drivers on this weekend’s entry list have driven to GYM WEED Winners Circle at Sonoma Raceway. The only driver with multiple victories at the track is Chris Dyson, who won in a Pro/Am exhibition at the track in 2021 and took the win from the pole when Trans Am’s National Championship competed at the track in 2022. Ken Sutherland, who will be driving the No. 85 Kallberg Racing Dodge Challenger in TA Cup, has also won at the track in SVRA and SCCA.

TA

Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang: 2022, 2021 (Pro/Am Exhibition)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series

Rafa Matos, No. 57 Concord American Flagpole/SHR Chevrolet Camaro: 2022

TA Cup Western Championship

Michelle Nagai, No. 27 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro: 2024 Race 1 (XGT)

Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply/Pinnacle Alloys Ford Mustang: 2022 (SGT)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship

JC Meynet, No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp/RTR Chevrolet Camaro: 2023 (GT)

15 drivers in this weekend’s race will be taking the green flag in their home state of California. The driver from closest to Sonoma Raceway is Western Championship competitor Tim Lynn, who is from 21 miles away in Kentfield. Also nearby is Bob Accardo from Livermore, Michelle Nagai in Newcastle, and father and son John Moore and Cole Moore, from Roseville and Orangevale, respectively.

TA

Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro (Los Angeles)

TA Cup

John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang (Roseville)

Michelle Nagai, No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro (Newcastle)

SGT Western Championship

JD Koos, No. 12 Nicole Douglas Design Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1 (Murrieta)

Yousuf Nabi, No. 03 CTOHAIMIP.com/DC Racing Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO (Chino Hills)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series

Boris Said Jr., No. 60 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry (Encinitas)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge

Bob Accardo, No. 39 Guthrie’s Garage/Race Marketing USA Ford Mustang (Livermore)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship

Tim Lynn, No. 17 RoofOptions Ford Mustang (Kentfield)

JC Meynet, No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp/RTR Chevrolet Camaro (Woodland Hills)

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

Troy Ermish, No. 38 Ermish Racing Ford Mustang (Tracy)

Tim Carroll, No. 46 CRDMFG.com Chevrolet Camaro (Santa Ana)

Kyle Kelley, No. 80 UPR.com/PKK Motorsports Ford Mustang (Huntington Beach)

Cole Moore, No. 99 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang (Orangevale)

John Moore, No. 127 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang (Roseville)

Watch LIVE

There are two great free streaming options for watching this weekend’s TA/GT and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series races. The events will stream live on Trans Am’s YouTube channel, @TheTransAmSeries, as well as on SPEED SPORT 1. SPEED SPORT 1 is the first network dedicated to free, live motorsports, presenting hundreds of live events and thousands of hours of premier motorsport content and lifestyle programming from around the globe annually. SPEED SPORT 1 can be watched on Amazon Prime Video, Roku, PlutoTV, Sling Freestream and more. For more information on how to watch, click here.

Andretti leads TA

After piloting his No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro to second-place finishes in the season-opening races at Sebring International Raceway and Road Atlanta, Adam Andretti comes into the West Coast swing with the points lead in the TA class. Having made his series debut in 2013, this is the first time in his career that Andretti has led the standings in any Trans Am class, and marks the first time since the 2023 season finale at Circuit of The Americas that anyone other than Paul Menard (No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang) has held the top spot, as the 2024 champion sat atop the standings for the duration of last season.

Dyson’s Sonoma streak

Chris Dyson returns to action after sitting out Round 2 at Road Atlanta to heal from a crash sustained in the season opener at Sebring International Raceway. Dyson comes into this weekend’s race with back-to-back victories at Sonoma, as he drove to the win in a Trans Am Pro/Am Challenge and Western Championship combo event at the track in 2021, and won the race from the pole in the 2022 National Championship race. Sonoma holds fond memories for Dyson, as he also earned a podium finish at the track in 2003 on his way to winning the American Le Mans Series driver title.

Dyson’s teammate, Humaid Masaood (No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang) finished second to Dyson in the 2021 event, earning the CD Racing team a 1-2 finish in that race, which the team hopes to replicate this weekend.

Ride change for Crews

Brent Crews’ TA ride will look a little different than it did in the opening two events of the season, as the 2023 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion will get behind the wheel of the No. 2 Weaver Concepts/Mobil 1 Dodge Challenger as he continues his first full-time season in the TA class. Crews showed speed in the opening two races of the season, leading 29 laps between the two events, but suffered catastrophic mechanical failures, relegating him to seventh- and ninth-place finishes, respectively. Crews knows how to make it to Victory Lane in Pancho Weaver’s Dodge Challenger, as he did it last season at Road America in his first-career TA class start. This is the first start of the season for the No. 2 car.

Crews is pulling double duty this weekend, also making his first TA2 start of the 2025 season in the No. 10 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry. Crews comes into this weekend’s race on a high after winning the ARCA Menards Series East race at Rockingham Speedway last weekend.

Drissi strong at home

2009 Trans Am Champion Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro) is excited for the return of the National Championship to his home state for the first time since 2022, and the Los Angeles native enters the West Coast Swing fifth in the TA standings. When he last visited Sonoma, Drissi earned a second-place finish, and his hope is to return to the podium this weekend. In addition to Trans Am, Drissi also has NASCAR experience at the track, making his Cup Series debut at Sonoma in 2012 and taking the green flag there four times in the series.

TA Cup meets National Championship

This weekend, the National Championship will race for the first time against the new TA Cup class. TA Cup utilizes high-performance spec tube-frame vehicles with silhouette bodies produced by Chris Evans Inc., owned by two-time Western Championship title winner Chris Evans, who also competes in the class. The 600 rear-wheel horsepower vehicles 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. This weekend, the class has six entries, including Jim Guthrie, who is making his first-career start in the class:

Ken Thwaits, No. 9 Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro

John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang

Jim Guthrie, No. 62 Guthrie’s Garage/CEI Ford Mustang

Michelle Nagai, No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro

Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Racing Dodge Challenger

Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply/Pinnacle Alloys Ford Mustang

Moore looking for more

John Moore, who earned his first-career Trans Am win in the season-opening race at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in the TA Cup class, returns to not only defend his victory in his No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang, but he will be pulling double duty, chasing a win in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. Moore will pilot the No. 127 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang in the Western Championship, competing against his son, Cole Moore, in the No. 99 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang.

Carlson and Coffey win streaks

SGT competitor Josh Carlson (No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang) and GT driver Chris Coffey (No. 97 Traffic Grafix/Chillout Motorsports Maserati MC GT4) are two-for-two going into this weekend’s race, having both won the season-opening National Championship events in their classes at Sebring and Road Atlanta. Carlson is looking for his fourth-consecutive victory this weekend, as he is undefeated going back to last year’s season finale at Circuit of The Americas. Coffey is currently on a six-race win streak, with victories in every race dating back to Road America last June. Carlson is currently in pursuit of his first SGT title, while Coffey is on a mission to defend his 2024 GT championship.

Koos collecting Sonoma trophies

Although he now lives in SoCal, Western SGT competitor JD Koos considers both Sonoma Raceway and Laguna Seca to be his home tracks after growing up in the San Francisco Bay area. Koos is no stranger to this weekend’s venue, as he has won four times at Sonoma in NASA competition. Koos made his Trans Am debut last month at Buttonwillow, taking the class victory. This weekend, he will face off against Western competitors Rudy Revak (No. 7 XYNGULAR Pontiac Grand Prix) and Yousuf Nabi (No. 03 CTOHAIMIP.com/DCRacing Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO), as well as National SGT driver Joshua Carlson (No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd/TC Fab Ford Mustang).

Yousuf Nabi debuts

This weekend at Sonoma, Yousuf Nabi will make his Trans Am Series Western Championship debut in the SGT class, piloting the No. 03 CTOHAIMIP.com/DCRacing Ferrari 458 Challenge Evo. The Chino Hills, California native is a seasoned Ferrari racer who uses go-karting to sharpen his skills. His two sons, seven-year-old Idris and 14-year-old Aiden, are following in their father’s footsteps and already carving out a name for themselves in the karting world as members of Italcorse America in Rome Italy.

Annunziata two for two in TA2

Thomas Annunziata has known nothing but the top step of the podium so far in 2025, scoring back-to-back victories in both of the season’s opening rounds at Sebring International Raceway and Road Atlanta. The 19-year-old driver of the No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry comes into Sonoma Raceway leading the standings in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series by 37 points over second-place Mike Skeen (No. 2 Guthrie’s Garage Chevrolet Camaro). He also leads the Young Gun Award standings by 55 points ahead of Tristan McKee (No. 128 Spire/Gainbridge/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) and PMH Powering Diversity Scholarship recipient Julian DaCosta (No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang), who are tied for second.

Accardo and Guthrie making wishes come true

Bob Accardo recently announced that he has teamed up with Jim Guthrie to drive the No. 39 Guthrie’s Garage/R.A.C.E. Marketing USA Ford Mustang. Guthrie’s support, coupled with Accardo’s 501(c)3 R.A.C.E. Marketing USA and a few local sponsors, will allow Accardo to bring a child and their family from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to the remainder of the races on the 2025 schedule. “It’s an honor and privilege to share our passion of motorsports with some very amazing people, creating smiles and memories that will last a lifetime,” said Accardo.

This weekend, Accardo will be hosting 14-year-old Kris at Sonoma Raceway. Kris was born with the congenital heart disease Tricuspid Atresia. He has undergone three open-heart surgeries, with the first one at just one week old. Kris has gone through a lot in his young life, mostly hospitalized for his heart condition at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. He had a stroke just two months short of his second birthday and was hospitalized for a month at UCSF. This past year, he was diagnosed with epilepsy, but has been a warrior through all he has endured. April is World Wish Month, which celebrates the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

TeamSLR drivers return with trophies

Three of the drivers in TeamSLR’s stable head into Sonoma Raceway with new trophies and new experiences under their belt. Since last month’s race at Road Atlanta, Tristan McKee (No. 128 Spire/Gainbridge/SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro) won the Pro Late Model race at the season-opening CARS Tour event at Cordele Motor Speedway. When McKee first started competing in the series in 2023, he became the CARS Tour’s youngest winner in the Pro Late Model division as a 12 year old.

Corey Day returns to the No. 117 HendrickCars.com/SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro for the first time since his TA2 debut at Sebring. Since his last outing, Day scored a thrilling victory over fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson in a Kubota High Limit Racing Sprint Car Series event on The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Day is a native of Clovis, California, which is located on the outskirts of Fresno in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.

Carson Brown hops back into the No. 8 PayCafe/Ebb Logistics/SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro after finishing eighth in his Trans Am debut. Since we last saw Brown, he made his ARCA Menards Series East debut and drove to an impressive fifth-place finish at Five Flags Speedway.

Boes and Lovell comfortable out West

Mia Lovell (No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and Barry Boes (No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) will both feel at home competing in this weekend’s combined National and Western Championship event, as the two have already raced against the West Coast drivers this year, scoring podiums at the season-opening Western Championship event at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Boes ran full time in the Western Championship last year in addition to competing for the Pro/Am Challenge championship, which he ultimately won. In this week’s event, Lovell has entered to earn points towards both championships, allowing her to pursue the title in both series.

Two past champions face off for second title

The 2023 and 2024 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship title winners are both looking to repeat the feat in 2025, and it’s likely they will be each other’s biggest competition this season. 2023 champion Brody Goble (No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford Lincoln Ford Mustang) had the perfect start to the year, winning both the pole and the race at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, and he enters this weekend’s race with the points lead. Last year’s title holder, Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang), faced both illness and mechanical issues in the season opener, so he’ll have a steeper hill to climb as he chases back-to-back titles. However, LaPaglia does have the edge as it pertains to experience at Sonoma Raceway. Goble has just one start at the track, finishing third in 2023. LaPaglia has three TA2 starts at Sonoma, with a best finish of second in Race 2 of last year’s doubleheader, in addition to an SGT start in 2022, in which he earned a runner-up result.

Pro/Am Challenge points battle

The 2025 Pro/Am Challenge is already shaping up to be a great battle. Keith Prociuk (No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang) has won both of the season’s opening two races, but 2024 Champion Barry Boes (No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) is just seven points behind him, with runner-up finishes in both events. Third and fourth place are also close, as just one point separates third-place Cale Phillips (No. 99 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and fourth-place Jared Odrick (No. 100 Black Underwear/CoolBoxx Chevrolet Camaro).

Annunziata wins again in TA2 at Road Atlanta SpeedTour

Thomas Annunziata continued his strong start to the 2025 season, earning his second-straight CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series victory in the Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour at Road Atlanta. Annunziata started on the pole and led from flag to flag …

Thomas Annunziata continued his strong start to the 2025 season, earning his second-straight CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series victory in the Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour at Road Atlanta. Annunziata started on the pole and led from flag to flag in his No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry, spearheading a podium-sweeping 1-2-3 finish for Nitro Motorsports and leading a 1-2 finish for the new Toyota Camry.

After setting a new track record and winning the pole in qualifying, Annunziata took the green flag and pulled ahead to an immediate lead. Behind him, second-place starter Julian DaCosta (No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and third-place starter Tyler Gonzalez (No. 10 Mobil 1/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) were side-by-side, drag racing through the esses before Gonzalez took over second place in Turn 7. The field was slowed by the conclusion of the first lap for a car in the wall, with racing resuming on lap five.

Annunziata led Gonzalez, DaCosta, three-time champion Rafa Matos (No. 57 Concord American Flagpole/SHR Chevrolet Camaro) and Boris Said Jr. (No. 60 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) across the line on the restart, and he and Gonzalez began to distance themselves from the rest of the top five. The two battled each other until lap 10, when the safety car was deployed for a caution period to clean up several on-track incidents, including one involving fifth-place Said Jr. and seventh-place Mike Skeen (No. 2 Guthrie’s Garage Chevrolet), which allowed Sam Corry (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) to enter the top five.

The green flag waved once again on lap 15 and Gonzalez fought hard on Annunziata’s tail. On lap 17, Matos put two wheels off the racing surface, allowing Corry to pass him for the fourth position. By lap 20, Annunziata began to open up a lead over Gonzalez, gapping him by 1.5s. A long green-flag run ensued, and when racing was slowed on lap 30, Annunziata had a nearly four-second advantage over his teammate.

The restart on lap 33 was excellent for Gonzalez, but the double yellow was displayed on lap 34 for a car stuck in Turn 10. Gonzalez was able to do it again when racing resumed on lap 37, hanging tightly on Annunziata’s rear bumper. The following lap, he looked poised to challenge for the lead, but Gonzalez made his first mistake of the race, putting two wheels off the track and slightly slowing his progress. With two laps remaining, Gonzalez was unable make the pass, and Annunziata took the checkered flag. Annunziata was followed by Nitro Motorsports teammates Gonzalez, DaCosta, and Corry, with Silver Hare Racing’s Matos crossing the finish line fifth.

After the race, a post-race penalty for avoidable contact was assessed to Sam Corry, relegating him to the 14th position. With Matos promoted to fourth, Tristan McKee (No. 28 Spire Gainbridge/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) became the final car to finish in the top five.

“The race was good from start to finish,” said Annunziata on the podium. “I was a little worried there in the beginning. I didn’t have the greatest short-run pace, and I thought Gonzalez was going to have something for me there. We started to eke it out, and I felt really good. I mean, it’s an amazing way to introduce Toyota to the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, which is super, super cool. Thank you to everyone at Nitro Motorsports, Michael Brallier, Ronnie Otto, and Nick Tucker for giving me such an amazing opportunity and allowing me to drive these racecars. It’s the first time we’ve ever had a Nitro Motorsports 1-2-3 finish, which is super cool. That’s all down to having such a talented group of people behind us and talented drivers such as Tyler Gonzalez and Julian DaCosta. Congrats to them as well. Gonzalez kept me honest there at the end. I thought I was going to potentially lose it there. That was scary; I didn’t like that. Thank you to Chipoys and everyone here at Road Atlanta.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1479]

Barry Boes (No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) started the Pro/Am Challenge race first in class, but got held up on the first lap, allowing Keith Prociuk (Keith Prociuk, No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang) to take the lead, which he held for much of the event. Both Prociuk and Boes were hit by another competitor in the field late in the event, leading to a swap in position on lap 29, and fourth-place starter Jared Odrick (No. 00 Black Underwear Ford Mustang) overcame an early spin to fight his way back to the front of the class. In the final laps, the three competitors were running close together and swapping spots, while battling it out to the checkered flag. Prociuk ultimately crossed the finish line first, followed by Odrick and Boes.

After the race, a post-race penalty for avoidable contact was assessed to Odrick, relegating him fourth in class. Cale Phillips in the No. 99 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang was awarded the final podium spot.

“That was a fantastic race,” said Prociuk. “All three of us have been fast all weekend long, so I knew it’d be between the three of us. Barry [Boes] just got me in qualifying by 0.2s, but on the start, I think he just kind of got held up, so I got him on lap one. It was a hard race, all race long. Great racing with Jared [Odrick], really clean, really hard. I really appreciate it. Same thing with you, Barry. Thanks to HP Tuners. Thanks to Mike Cope, Travis Cope, Thomas Merrill; you guys are absolutely fantastic, I really appreciate it. I hope we can keep this up. Thanks, Trans Am, and thanks to all the officials and safety workers that keep us safe out there.”

An encore presentation of Sunday’s race will air Sunday night on SPEED SPORT 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series will next hit the track at Sonoma Raceway, April 24-27, for the Sonoma SpeedTour in combination with the Western Championship.

Road Atlanta TA2 livestream

Stream Round 2 of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series live from Road Atlanta with announcers Ralph Sheheen and Adam Andretti. Sunday’s race goes green at 1:50pm ET, with coverage beginning at 1:15pm ET.

Stream Round 2 of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series live from Road Atlanta with announcers Ralph Sheheen and Adam Andretti. Sunday’s race goes green at 1:50pm ET, with coverage beginning at 1:15pm ET.

Annunziata rockets to another record Road Atlanta TA2 pole

Thomas Annunziata broke the track qualifying record with a time of 1m22.369s in his No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series at Road Atlanta. “The new Toyota …

Thomas Annunziata broke the track qualifying record with a time of 1m22.369s in his No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series at Road Atlanta.

“The new Toyota Camry is fast; it’s definitely interesting,” said Annunziata after setting his record-breaking time. “The aero and the way the car reacts to the racetrack is definitely a little bit different. I couldn’t get on top of that for a while, but we put it all together when it mattered, so I’m thankful for that. Thank you to Nitro Motorsports and everyone who works so hard on these cars. I wouldn’t be here without them. Honestly, my driving sucked the whole weekend, and I had to put it together there at the end, and I did, so I’m thankful.”

Barry Boes (No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) was the fastest of the Pro/Am Challenge contenders with a time of 1m23.959s.

The race will be contested Sunday at 1:50 p.m. ET. It will be streamed live on Trans Am’s YouTube channel, with coverage beginning at 1:15 p.m. ET, and broadcast live on SPEED SPORT 1, with coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. An encore presentation will air on SPEED SPORT 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET. For more information on where you can watch SPEED SPORT 1, click here.

Super-sub Brabham wins attrition-filled TA race at Road Atlanta

Matthew Brabham was called to action by Chris Dyson to race the No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour, and the Australian driver was up to the task. After starting second, …

Matthew Brabham was called to action by Chris Dyson to race the No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour, and the Australian driver was up to the task. After starting second, Brabham had incredible speed and avoided the issues that plagued Brent Crews, Paul Menard and others to take the checkered flag in the TA class for the first time since 2023.

After setting a new track record in yesterday’s qualifying session, Brent Crews saw the green flag wave in his No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro and took control of the race from the first corner. Third-place starter Adam Andretti (No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro) followed Crews, sliding past Brabham and securing the second position. However, it only took a few laps for Brabham to reel Andretti back in, and on lap seven, the two were drag racing through the turns, with Brabham taking over the runner-up spot on lap eight.

While those two battled, Crews stretched his legs in the lead, pulling out to more than a 4s advantage over second place. Fourth-place Paul Menard (No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang) began to creep up on Andretti, who lost some speed due to an ignition box issue, and Menard took over third place on lap 13. Just one lap later, Crews, who was maintaining a commanding lead, suddenly slowed and pulled to a stop at the exit of pit road with a transmission issue. Racing remained green, and Brabham claimed the lead for the first time.

Brabham’s lead was massive as Menard battled his handling and Andretti worked out his mechanical issues, but as the laps clicked by, Menard began to close the imposing 10s gap. However, that gap would disappear when the double yellow was displayed on lap 29 as Humaid Masaood (No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang) spun on the track and Keith Grant (No. 7 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro) got caught in the kitty litter, requiring a tow.

Racing resumed on lap 35, and Menard was right on Brabham’s tail with great pace. However, two laps later, Menard experienced a major lockup and skidded off the racing surface and into the gravel, slowing the racing action. Without enough time for cleanup, the race came to its conclusion under yellow conditions. Brabham crossed the finish line for the victory, followed by Andretti and David Pintaric (No. 57 Kryderacing Ford Mustang), who advanced from a sixth-place starting spot as others faced attrition. Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette) crossed the finish line fourth, and Masaood salvaged a top-five finish. Menard was relegated to sixth in class, while Crews was scored last.

“Oh, it’s incredible; it’s such a great series to be a part of,” said Brabham on the podium. “The cars are some of the most fun I’ve ever driven in my life. To race them side by side―I mean, when Adam [Andretti] and I had that race in the beginning, we were side by side for two or three corners, and then he still got ahead of me, and then we did it again. To race these things is just so much fun. I’m here and the CD Racing crew is here because of Chris Dyson. Obviously, he would have much rather have been in the car this weekend, but I’m always happy to replace him whenever he feels the need to call me up. The answer will always be yes. It’s always a big honor. Dyson Racing, this racetrack, Trans Am, there’s so much history involved. We’ve got Brabham and Andretti up here. It’s pretty special; it gives you a little bit of goosebumps. Thank you so much to everyone that makes this possible: the series, everyone involved. Big congrats to the race team, GYM WEED. It’s so good to be here in the GYM WEED Winners Circle.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1479]

The XGT class race finished the same way it started, with Paul Tracy leading the way from start to finish in his No. 10 Race Cars For You/Innovation IRC GT. Teammates Danny Lowry (No. 42 Bennett/BridgeHaul/Pitboxes.com Mercedes AMG GT4) and Billy Griffin (No. 14 Griffin Auto Care Mercedes AMG GT3) ran nose to tail in second and third the entire day, while Kaylee Bryson struggled in her No. 02 Logical Systems Inc. Chevrolet Corvette, requiring a trip to pit road mid-race. Tracy earned his second victory of the season and finished fifth overall due to his car’s high speed and the attrition in the TA class, while Lowry and Griffin claimed podium results, finishing second and third, respectively.

“That was a good race,” said Tracy. “I’ve got to thank the guys from IRC and Race Cars For You. They’re a small little team with some guys just helping. They gave me an opportunity to come out here and run with these guys and have a good time. The race went exactly the way we needed it to go. We were going to need a yellow, because this car’s got a pretty small fuel tank. I was getting pretty low on fuel when the yellow came out. I don’t think we would have made it if it had gone green all the way. I’m lucky that yellow came out towards the end. Overall, the car is phenomenal and it handles great. It’s the little car that can. I’ve just got to thank these guys at Trans Am and SVRA for these events they put on. All these grassroots racers are out here having a good time.”

Joshua Carlson dominated in the SGT class for the second race in a row, leading from green flag to checkers in his No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang. Second-place starter Patrick Utt (No. 49 RaceQuip/Driven Racing Oil Chevrolet Camaro) held the runner-up position for a majority of the race, but was challenged by 2022 SGT champion Milton Grant (No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1), who took over second on lap 12. Unfortunately, Grant spun on lap 16, dropping him back to fourth in class behind his son, Carey Grant (No. 6 Grant Racing 2 Porsche GT3 Cup). The elder Grant used his speed and experience to fight his way back to third in the remaining laps. When the checkered flag waved, it was Carlson with the win, followed by Utt, Milton Grant and Carey Grant.

“First I’d like to thank Enseva for all their unlimited support they gave me, and my parents for letting me race and go as fast as I do, because I’m sure it scares them a little bit sometimes,” said Carlson. “It was a good race; we did what we had to do to win it, and I’m just happy to be on the top side of the podium again. It’s also nice to see another TA2-style SGT car finish 1-2 with me and seeing Patrick [Utt] picking up a lot of pace from Sebring; it’s good to see him improving. I’m hoping that we can run even closer next time I see him. It was nice to see Milton [Grant] come back out and race with us again, and it was just a really nice day for racing. I’m happy to be here.”

Chris Coffey was once again the class of the field in the GT class, leading the race from start to finish in his No. 97 Traffic Grafix/Chill Out Motorsports Maserati MC GT4, despite a solid run by Jeff Lindstrom in the No. 41 Griffin Auto Care Ford Mustang. The 2024 GT champion secured his second victory of the season and 15th of his career.

“It was an absolutely incredible race; it was fun and we went from A to B with no problems,” Coffey said. “My car ran great. I’ve really got to thank my crew for that, Alex and Xavier. These guys really make this stuff easy on me. I also want to thank Colin Cohen. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. I’m sad to see he didn’t race this weekend, but he’s here in support and I can’t thank him enough. Thank you to my wife Morgan and my son Sam. My wife is by far the most important person in all of this racing, because she takes care of our son while I’m on the road. I want to thank Jeff [Lindstrom] here for some great racing all weekend, and thank you to all the other competitors for keeping your head screwed on straight while we were out there. I can’t wait for the next race at Sonoma.”

As the only competitor in the GT1 Challenge this weekend, Rob Dickey in the No. 64 Forty48 Competition Chevrolet Camaro was able to take the checkered flag in his Trans Am debut, fulfilling a personal dream to compete in the pro series.

“No one could have been more welcoming or helpful in all aspects,” said Dickey. “It was my first time racing the pro race and with this series, and everyone was absolutely phenomenal, helping me struggle through it. It was great. My goal was to come in, finish, be clean, not be in anybody’s way, have a good car, and keep it together. I have to thank the team out of Wisconsin, Forty48 Competition. They completely rebuilt the car after it was wrecked last year, putting an immense amount of time and effort into it. Aaron, my crew chief, received countless compliments on the wrap, which took many hours to complete. It was painful but so worth it in the end. The experience was phenomenal, and I have to thank my wife, Cheryl, for putting up with my lunacy of wanting to come out here and do this. It couldn’t have been a better experience. For all the guys sitting out there with old GT1 cars, cough up a couple bucks and come on out here. It really is the best place to run one of these cars. You can’t find a better group or a better-run series. Plus, you’re racing against some legit, crazy-fast drivers. If you want to come out and test yourself, see where you measure up, stop messing around and come out here to have these guys beat up on you.”

An encore presentation of Saturday’s race will air Saturday night on SPEED SPORT 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The Trans Am Series will next hit the track at Sonoma Raceway, April 24-27, for the Sonoma SpeedTour in combination with the Western Championship.

Road Atlanta Trans Am TA livestream

Stream Round 2 of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT/GT1 classes live from Road Atlanta Saturday at 12:50pm ET, with announcers Ralph Sheheen and Thomas Annunziata.

Stream Round 2 of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT/GT1 classes live from Road Atlanta Saturday at 12:50pm ET, with announcers Ralph Sheheen and Thomas Annunziata.

Crews vaults to TA track record en route to Road Atlanta pole

Brent Crews set a new track record at Road Atlanta during the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s Friday qualifying session, capturing the pole with a time of 1m16.683s. “It’s a great weekend so far,” said Crews. “I can’t thank everybody at …

Brent Crews set a new track record at Road Atlanta during the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s Friday qualifying session, capturing the pole with a time of 1m16.683s.

“It’s a great weekend so far,” said Crews. “I can’t thank everybody at Toyota Racing and Nitro Motorsports enough. Thanks to everybody at Mobil 1 for getting me here. I’ve had a great car all weekend and I’ve been continuing to get this thing faster. It’s been fast all week. Nick Tucker’s been working really hard. We had a super-fast car at Sebring as well, but unfortunately, we broke down a couple times and I feel like that kind of cost us the win. But these past couple weeks, these guys have been working really hard at the shop to be able to get this thing fixed up and ready for the weekend. No issues so far this weekend, and we have a really fast racecar, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Paul Tracy (No. 10 Race Cars For You Innovation IRC GT) was quickest in XGT, while Joshua Carlson (No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang) topped SGT. Chris Coffey (No. 97 Traffic Grafix/Chill Out Motorsports Maserati MC GT4) was fastest in the GT class, and newcomer Rob Dickey (No. 64 Forty48 Competition Chevrolet Camaro) was the sole competitor in GT1 Challenge.

The TA/GT race will be contested Saturday at 12:50 p.m. ET. It will be streamed live on Trans Am’s YouTube channel, with coverage beginning at 12:15 p.m. ET, and broadcast live on SPEED SPORT 1 at 12:30 p.m. ET. An encore presentation will air on SPEED SPORT 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. For more information on where you can watch SPEED SPORT 1, click here.

Trans Am heads to Road Atlanta

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli heads to Road Atlanta this weekend for the Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour, the second race of the 2025 season for National Championship competitors. Trans Am has been visiting the 54-year-old facility …

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli heads to Road Atlanta this weekend for the Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour, the second race of the 2025 season for National Championship competitors. Trans Am has been visiting the 54-year-old facility since 1972, holding 42 races at the Braselton, Ga.,  track. 56 competitors in seven classes will take the green flag in Saturday and Sunday’s 100-mile races.

There are 11 drivers in this weekend’s field who have stood on the top step of the podium at Road Atlanta in the past. Chris Dyson, Mike Skeen and Billy Griffin are tied with the most wins of any entrants in this weekend’s competition with four. Adam Andretti, Danny Lowry, Chris Coffey, Thomas Merrill and Barry Boes all won in Trans Am’s last visit to the track and are returning to defend their victories.

SCCA Super Tour Success

Earlier this month, the SCCA Super Tour competed at Road Atlanta, with two drivers in this weekend’s field visiting victory lane. TA’s David Pintaric (No. 57 Kryderacing Ford Mustang) won Race 1 in the GT1 class and finished second in Race 2, while CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge competitor Jared Odrick (No. 00 Black Underwear Chevrolet Camaro) won both Race 1 and Race 2 from the pole in the GT2 class.

There are three drivers in this weekend’s field who are originally from the state of Georgia. CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge competitor Patrick Paul will be closest to home this weekend, as he is from Kennesaw, Ga., a suburb northwest of Atlanta. This weekend is also a home game for Burtin Racing, which fields the No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro for Adam Andretti. The team’s shop is located approximately two hours northwest of the track in Adairsville, Ga.

Watch on SPEED SPORT 1

There are two great free streaming options for watching this weekend’s TA/GT and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series races. The events will stream live on Trans Am’s YouTube channel, @TheTransAmSeries, as well as on SPEED SPORT 1. SPEED SPORT 1 is the first network dedicated to free, live motorsports, presenting hundreds of live events and thousands of hours of premier motorsport content and lifestyle programming from around the globe annually. SPEED SPORT 1 can be watched on Amazon Prime Video, Roku, PlutoTV, Sling Freestream and more. For more information on how to watch, click here.

Déjà Vu for Menard

For the second year in a row, Paul Menard kicked off the season with a victory, driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle in his No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang at Sebring International Raceway. After winning the season opener in 2024, Menard went on the claim the TA championship on the strength of six wins and nine podium finishes.

Another tough start for Dyson

Another driver experiencing déjà vu is three-time TA champion Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang). Once again, Dyson unloaded a fast car at Sebring, but his day ended in a hard crash due to a mechanical failure. Relegated to an eighth-place finish in class, Dyson’s pursuit of his fourth Trans Am title begins with a points deficit, as he currently sits 33 markers behind leader Paul Menard. However, given his dominance in the series since his first title season in 2021, it’s nothing that Dyson can’t overcome between now and the season finale at Circuit of The Americas.

Drissi hoping for another podium at Road Atlanta

Road Atlanta is a track where Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro) has found lots of success in the past in Trans Am and beyond. Drissi scored podium finishes at the Braselton, Ga. facility in four of the last six years in TA, with finishes of second in 2019, 2020 and 2022, and a third-place finish in 2023. Drissi also found his way to the Road Atlanta podium many times in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, earning a victory in the Petit Le Mans in 2017, as well as earning two second-place finishes and one third-place result. Joining Drissi under the Drissi Motorsports banner this weekend is Keith Grant (No. 7 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro), who earned a podium for the team there last year with a third-place finish.

Burtin hosts CCYA guests

Burtin Racing team owner Claudio Burtin, who fields the No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro for Adam Andretti, will be hosting approximately 40 guests from the Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA). CCYA is a 40-bed residential facility in Marietta, Ga., that provides safe housing and basic needs to children and young adults who have been abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned. The organization offers a full array of supportive housing services, such as emergency and temporary shelter programs and transitional and independent living for youth and young adults. CCYA feeds, houses, teaches and nurtures up to 100 youth each year. For more information, visit ccyakids.org.

Crews wins between races

Since kicking off his first full-time season in the TA class, Brent Crews (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro) captured a checkered flag on an oval track. Crews competed in his first race with Joe Gibbs Racing in the ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix Raceway, where he had a late-rate comeback to score his third-career win in the series. With two previous ARCA victories, both on dirt tracks, Crews’ win at Phoenix was his first on a pavement track.

New colors for Carlson

SGT’s Joshua Carlson kicked off the 2025 season with new colors on his No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd/TC Fab Ford Mustang. Carlson secured a new sponsor in Vivid Auto Wraps with Auggi Jimenez in his home state of Iowa and opted for a new blue wrap to pay homage to the Ford Mustang’s Detroit roots. It seems to be bringing the team good luck, as Carlson piloted to the win in the SGT class in the season opener at Sebring International Raceway.

Dickey joins GT1 Challenge

Making his Trans Am debut this weekend is GT1 Challenge competitor Rob Dickey in the No. 64 Forty48 Competition Chevrolet Camaro. Dickey comes to Trans Am from SCCA and SVRA, but has also raced karts, motorcycles and standup Jet Skis. Dickey has dreamed of racing in Trans Am since he was a kid, but that goal became more important to him when a close friend he’d shared that dream with passed away. This weekend he finally gets to make his dream a reality.

Toyota Camry comes to TA2

This weekend will see the debut of a new manufacturer in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series: Toyota. For the past several months, TRD has worked closely with Five Star RaceCar Bodies and Trans Am officials on the design, development and production of the Toyota Camry. The culmination of their hard work will be showcased this weekend, where two Toyota Camrys are set to compete. Toyota Development Driver Tyler Gonzalez will pilot the No. 10 Mobil 1 Camry for Nitro Motorsports, while Sebring winner Thomas Annunziata will debut a GR livery on his No. 90 Nitro Motorsports Camry.

Both Toyota drivers have been busy since the Sebring season opener. Gonzalez won the MX-5 Cup race at St. Petersburg, while Annunziata made a NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Circuit of The Americas with Cope Family Racing in partnership with Nitro Motorsports team owner Nick Tucker.

Menzin joins Silver Hare

Silver Hare Racing announced this week that it has signed Jordan Menzin to a part-time schedule in the Pro/Am Challenge this season. Menzin is an accomplished competitor in the World Racing League’s Supra GT4, as well as driving LMP3s in IMSA’s VP Challenge. He made his Trans Am debut in the TA2 season opener at Sebring International Raceway. In his first start for Silver Hare this weekend, Menzin will pilot the No. 5 Silver Hare Racing/Waukegan Farms Chevrolet.

Clifton returns to TA2

This weekend will see the return of Rob Clifton to CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series competition. Clifton made his debut at Road Atlanta in 2023 and returns to pilot the No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro. A native of Evans, Ga., Clifton is a former Auburn football player who was recently voted into the Georgia State House of Representatives for his first term during the November election. The second-generation racer has previously competed in Spec Formula Fords in SCCA.

Odrick debuts new car

Jared Odrick comes to Road Atlanta armed with a brand new M1 Racecars chassis this weekend. The Pro/Am Challenge contender recently took delivery of a new No. 00 Black Underwear Chevrolet Camaro, which will make its Trans Am debut this weekend. Odrick stretched the car’s legs at the SCCA Super Tour race at Road Atlanta earlier this month, winning both GT2 races from the pole.

Skeen to compete full time in 2025

Another new M1 Racecars chassis hitting the track this weekend is the No. 2 Guthrie’s Garage Chevrolet Camaro, which will be driven by 2020 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion Mike Skeen for the remainder of the season. Skeen has been tagged by team owner and TA2 competitor Jim Guthrie to take his seat for the remainder of the season while Guthrie recovers from a shoulder injury. After sitting on the pole with a record-breaking time and finishing second in the season opener at Sebring, Skeen is poised to battle for his second title this year. Skeen has four previous victories at Road Atlanta, including a doubleheader sweep in 2020. His most recent victory at the track came in 2022.

Gian Buffomante hoping to channel father at Road Atlanta

Third-generation driver Gian Buffomante is hoping to channel his father, 2016 TA2 champion Tony Buffomante, this weekend when he gets behind the wheel of his No. 95 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang. The elder Buffomante has two victories at Road Atlanta, standing atop the podium in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017. Gian, who has Tony in his ear when he spots for him on race weekends, considers his father to be his racing hero.

Lovell & Boes earn podiums on West Coast

Mia Lovell (No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and Barry Boes (No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) competed in the Western Championship season opener last weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, with both finding success with podiums at the California track. Lovell finished second and Boes finished third in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series.

Pro/Am drivers with past Road Atlanta success

There are a few Pro/Am Challenge drivers in this weekend’s race who have found success at Road Atlanta in other disciplines of racing.

Cale Phillips (No. 99 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) has several NASA wins at the track between 2018 and 2020.

Matt Griffin (No. 67 Griffin Concrete Construction Chevrolet Camaro) has won at the track in SCCA. Griffin was the 2024 SCCA SeDIV SARRC champion, as well as the 2024 SCCA CFR GT1 champion.

TRD U.S.A. launches new Toyota Camry Trans Am TA2 body

TRD U.S.A. has unveiled the new Toyota Camry body, which will compete in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series beginning with this weekend’s race at Road Atlanta. For the past several months, TRD has worked …

TRD U.S.A. has unveiled the new Toyota Camry body, which will compete in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series beginning with this weekend’s race at Road Atlanta.

For the past several months, TRD has worked closely with Five Star RaceCar Bodies – the official body manufacturer for the TA2 Series – and Trans Am officials on the design, development and production of the Toyota Camry. The culmination of their work will be showcased this weekend in the TA2 event at Road Atlanta, where two Toyota Camrys are set to compete. Toyota Development Driver Tyler Gonzalez will pilot the No. 10 Mobil 1 Camry for Nitro Motorsports, while Thomas Annunziata will debut a GR-livery on his No. 90 Camry for Nitro Motorsports in the first race featuring the new body style.

“We are thrilled to be able to officially unveil the Toyota Camry body for the TA2 Series,” said Jack Irving, general manager, TRD U.S.A. “This body is the result of the diligent effort of so many people at TRD, Trans Am and Five Star. For us at TRD, we continue to see the value of the TA2 Series as our development drivers are able to get quality reps on iconic road courses across the country. This new body further shows the commitment Toyota has to Trans Am, now and into the future.”

”We are elated to welcome the new Toyota Camry body to the paddock in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series,” said Trans Am President Andy Lally. “The Trans Am Series prides itself as a proving ground for the future stars of stock car racing, and we’ve been fortunate to see many Toyota Development Drivers find success in Trans Am. We’re thrilled to be able to pair their promising talents with manufacturer support in our series.”

For interested parties, Five Star have made the Toyota Camry TA2 bodies available for purchase, with TRD offering contingency opportunities. For more information on the contingency program, please reach out to trd.contingency@toyota.com.

Moore wins Trans Am West photo finish at Buttonwillow

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s first-ever race at Buttonwillow Raceway Park was exciting from start to finish, with tight racing and close finishes in both the new TA Cup class and the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. TA Cup competitor …

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s first-ever race at Buttonwillow Raceway Park was exciting from start to finish, with tight racing and close finishes in both the new TA Cup class and the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. TA Cup competitor John Moore earned his first-career Trans Am victory by a margin of just 0.277s over Ken Sutherland for the overall race win, while 2023 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship title winner Brody Goble beat Mia Lovell in her first start in the Western Championship.

John Moore in the No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang led from start to finish in the debut of the TA Cup class in the Western Championship, but even after 75 minutes of competition, the race to the checkered flag was a tight one.

Moore started the race from the first position in class after claiming the pole in yesterday’s qualifying session, with Ken Sutherland (No. 85 Kallberg Racing Dodge Challenger) next to him on the front row. When the green flag waved, Moore smoothly took the lead, with Sutherland falling into line in second. Michelle Nagai (No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro) started third, but immediately dropped to the back with a mechanical issue, which she fought throughout the race with repeated trips to pit lane. Ken Thwaits (No. 9 Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro) took over the third position, followed by Chris Evans in the No. 92 Central Welding Supply/Pinnacle Alloys Ford Mustang. Making his first start in the Trans Am Series, Derek Thorn started last in the class after missing practice and qualifying due to commitments at Kern Raceway with his CARS Tour West program, but his No. 08 DTR Marketing/Power Grade/PJR/CEI Ford Mustang showed incredible speed, and by lap seven, he worked his way up to third place.

The top three ran close together, and although TA Cup started behind the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series in a split start, as the laps clicked on, they knifed their way through TA2 competitors. When the day’s only full-course caution was called on lap 21, Moore, Sutherland and Thorn were running third through fifth overall.

When racing resumed on lap 29, it only took one lap for the top-three TA Cup cars to take the overall lead. In the eight green-flag laps to the finish, Moore pulled out to a slight lead over Sutherland and Thorn, but on the final lap, the trio closed back up. Sutherland was able to make the pass on Moore for the lead, but he spun the tires coming out of the front straight, allowing Moore to drive back by. Moore crossed the finish line first with just a 0.277s advantage over Sutherland, with Thorn less than a tenth of a second behind. Thwaits crossed the finish line fourth, with Nagai finishing fifth.

“I’ll do the formalities first because without Chris Evans, Jeff Jefferson and Jerry Pitts, I wouldn’t be doing this,” said Moore from atop the podium. “That being said, this was the most fun I’ve ever had in a racecar, period. I mean, I’ve driven a lot of racecars, and I’m telling you, it’s so fun to be part of this Trans Am group. I’ve got my son, [TA2 competitor] Cole [Moore], here. We had some great moments in practice. Top of the board in TA Cup, top of the board in TA2, father and son. I couldn’t ask for more. I can’t wait to carry on with the season.”

Brody Goble returned to the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series for the first time since winning the title in 2023, picking up right where he left off. After qualifying fastest in class, he led the field to green in his No. 69 Brown Bros Ford Lincoln Ford Mustang. Goble took off with the lead, but second-place starter Mia Lovell in the No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang was never far behind. Barry Boes (No. 32 Accio Data/TRB Autosport Ford Mustang) started third, but was having brake issues for the first several laps, allowing Stein Frederic Akre (No. 98 Team Trysil.com Chevrolet Camaro) and Tim Carroll (No. 46 CRDMFG.com Chevrolet Camaro) to get around him on the first lap. Boes dropped even farther back by lap four, with last year’s champion Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) and Kyle Kelley (No. 80 UPR.com/PKK Motorsports Ford Mustang) also making their way around.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1479]

Goble and Lovell pulled away from the top five, opening up a gap over the rest of the field. Behind them, several competitors started to experience problems. Akre went off track on lap five, and LaPaglia came to pit lane with an issue. As the race continued on, Carroll, Kelley and Boes were running tight together in third, fourth and fifth, with only a second between them. On lap 21, Kelley went off the track and got stuck in mud, resulting in a full-course caution.

When green-flag racing resumed, the top three fought for position. Carroll took the lead, but it was determined that he jumped the start, resulting in a pass-through penalty. Lovell passed Goble, taking the lead one lap later when Carroll left the race to serve his penalty, but Goble fought back, reclaiming the point position on lap 33. As the laps wound down, the top three settled in. Behind them, Cole Moore (No. 99 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang) and Caleb Shrader (No. 66 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang) had entered the top five, fighting for position. Moore held the fourth position until the final lap, when he was passed by Shrader. When the checkered flag waved, Goble earned the victory, followed by Lovell and Boes. Shrader finished fourth, and Moore closed out the top five.

“First of all, it’s great to be back; It was 2023 when I did my last race in the Trans Am Series,” said Goble from Victory Lane. “I ended up selling my car; we had our first child last year. I watched it from the sidelines, so it’s so awesome to be back here and see my extended family in the pits. I had a hard look in the offseason. I knew we could buy any car we wanted to buy, and at the end of the day, I bought another TA2 car. I’m super excited to be here again, and it was a great weekend. This is a new car to us, it’s an M1 car. Scott [Lagasse] is helping us out with our Brown Bros. Racing team. I was just trying to learn a new chassis and figure it all out. The first half of the race was going to plan. We were obviously watching what Mia [Lovell] was doing, and that was obviously the one to beat. We just managed the car and the gap, but I was hustling for all I had in that first half, and she’s sitting right with me, too. With the big caution there, we had to restart, and then kind of got jumbled up a bit. It was probably the best thing that could happen because it’s really good practice for three of us that’ll be racing in the National Championship in a little bit here. We got that hard, wheel-to-wheel clean racing, but definitely hard-fought racing too. We went back and forth a couple times, and that was kind of fun. It all worked out in the end. Again, I’m super excited to be back.”

JD Koos was the lone competitor in the XGT class, making his first-career start in the Trans Am Series. Koos raced clean, running closely with SGT competitor Simon Asselin throughout the race. He drove his No. 12 Nicole Douglas Design Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1 to the class win, finishing 17th overall.

Also making his Trans Am debut, Simon Asselin in the No. 81 Infillion Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup was the only competitor in his class. Battling with JD Koos in XGT, he piloted his Porsche to the victory with a 16th-place finish overall.

The Western Championship next heads to Sonoma Raceway for the Sonoma SpeedTour in combination with the National Championship. Tickets can be purchased here.