John Moore in the No. 5 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang earned the Pole Award in his first time qualifying in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship’s XGT class at Portland International Raceway. He made a lap time of 1m13.050s. Moore has two previous starts in Trans Am’s Western Championship, both in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. Moore was also fastest in Friday’s practice session.
Tim Barber was the quickest TA2 competitor, laying down a lap time of 1m13.767s in his No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang. Newcomer Tim Brown in the No. 66 Brown Bros. Ford Lincoln Ford Mustang GT4 was fastest in the SGT class with a time of 1m16.569s. Steve Goldman in the No. 13 LIG Racing Chevrolet Corvette was fastest in the TA class with a 1m17.297s.
“I’m brand new to this road course stuff; I’m a circle track guy, but I am sure enjoying it,” said Moore. “I like to say, ‘Happy learned how to putt,’ because, you know, I started off 7s slow and 60 days later, I’m on the pole, so I’m figuring it out. My message to the people that know me is: hang up those circle track cars and come out here and do some road course racing, because this Trans Am Series is a ball. I have never had so much fun in a race car. I’m looking forward to getting on with it and having some more fun. My expectations for the weekend are to stay fastest and win. That’s what I want, and we’re on point to do it. I’ve got the race car, I’ve got the team, I’ve got the track, and I feel figured out in my race craft. I’m used to running in a pack, so it’s going to be a good time.”