17-year-old Connor Zilisch was unstoppable in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race at Sebring International Raceway, opening up the 2024 season with a win from the pole. He took green flag from the point position and led every lap en route to victory, cleanly dominating the 27-lap race.
Zilisch’s No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro was the class of the field, pacing the competition from start to finish. He managed to open up multi-second advantages over second place through three long runs, effortlessly keeping his lead through two restarts after full-course cautions.
Behind Zilisch, many of the most heated battles were between teammates at Nitro Motorsports, which had seven fast entries in the event, five of which started the race in the top 10. Two-time TA2 champion Rafa Matos in the No. 60 Concord American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang held the runner-up position for most of the 27-lap race, but was challenged by his teammate Tyler Gonzalez in the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang with seven laps to go. Gonzalez ultimately came home with the second step on the podium, with Matos rounding out the top three. Thomas Annunziata in the No. 90 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang finished fourth, working his way up from a seventh-place starting spot, followed by 2023 Rookie of the Year Austin Green in the No. 89 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang.
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“I’m super thankful for everyone at Silver Hare Racing; this is a brand-new Howe Racing car that they built together,” said Zilisch. “To come out here in the first race with this car and get a win is really special to me. I’m sure it’s special to all these guys who’ve worked really hard on this car all off-season long. I’m just super proud of this team. Unfortunately, I can’t be here all year to race with them. I’m confident that Connor Mosack and Boris Said Jr. will do a good job keeping the team up front. I’m just thankful to Maurice and Laura Hull for everything they’ve done for me and making this possible. I’m glad I could be here and get my first win of the season in the Trans Am Series.”
This is the third time in the last four CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series races that Connor Zilisch has not only won, but led from flag to flag. Zilisch was the winningest driver in the class in 2023 with five victories.
Nitro Motorsports had two drivers on the podium and three cars in the top five. This was Rafa Matos’ first race driving for the team.
Tyler Gonzalez’s second-place finish was earned in just his second-career Trans Am race. He and Matos are two of six drivers to race in the Trans Am Series this year with support from the PMH Powering Diversity Scholarship.
The highlight show of Saturday’s race will air on MAVTV on Thursday, February 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series next hit the track at the Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour, March 21-24. Tickets can be purchased here on SpeedTour.net.