Thomas Annunziata lastly earned his first win of the 2024 season after an up-and-down yr of dangerous luck and irritating finishes. With blazing pace, Annunziata defended the purpose place by means of a number of restarts, main each lap of the CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Collection race at VIRginia Worldwide Raceway (VIR).
Annunziata led the sphere to inexperienced in his No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage Funding/Chriswell Ford Mustang, holding off a problem from second-place starter Jake Drew (No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and settling comfortably into the primary place. Adopted intently by Thomas Merrill within the No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Automobiles Ford Mustang, the highest three remained the identical by means of two early yellow flags. When racing resumed from the second warning interval on lap 12, Drew challenged Annunziata on the within of Flip 1, however Annunziata defended, opening the door for Merrill to go Drew on the skin for the second spot.
A double yellow was displayed only one lap later for a two-car crash in Flip 14, leading to a prolonged cleanup. When the inexperienced flag waved on lap 19, Annunziata, Merrill and Drew had been adopted by younger newcomer Tristan McKee (No. 28 Staff SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro), who had damaged into the highest 5 following a powerful early go on Rafa Matos (No. 60 Harmony American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang), and Connor Zilisch (No. 57 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro), who drove by means of the sphere from the final place after lacking the weekend’s follow session. One lap later, Zilisch took over the fourth spot, and Matos discovered his means again round McKee for fifth.
The sector lastly received a protracted green-flag run, permitting Annunziata to stretch out a dominating lead over Merrill. Behind Merrill, Zilisch was working to choose off Drew for third, however Zilisch spun on lap 23, dropping out of the highest 5. Because the laps wound down, Drew had a slight off after going too huge right into a activate lap 27, permitting Matos to get proper to his rear bumper and try to assert the ultimate podium spot. Drew held him off, and on the ultimate lap, McKee took the fourth place from Matos. When the checkered flag waved, Annunziata crossed the end line with a virtually 9s hole over Merrill.
“This feels nice,” stated Annunziata. “These Nitro Motorsports guys deserve at the very least a number of wins this yr. We’ve had that pace all yr, however foolish issues occurred; that’s racing. It’s a bit emotional. I received my first win with Nick Tucker being my crew chief. I’ve been with Nick and Nitro for some time. I grew up karting with them and got here up the ranks and developed with them into vehicles. We’ve a cool program happening, so it’s undoubtedly just a little emotional. Ronnie and Mike deserved it as effectively. We’ve been working so laborious. Everybody’s tremendous comfortable. I’m tremendous comfortable to have Bayshore Mortgage Funding, Chriswell Ford, Chipoys and Eat Clear Bro all on the race automobile this weekend as effectively. The automobile’s stunning. Congratulations to Thomas Merrill and Jake Drew and because of all of the followers right here. You guys are superior.”
In Professional/Am Problem, Barry Boes began the race from the highest spot in his No. 27 Staff SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang, however an early mistake on lap 4 put him behind the sphere, forcing him to battle by means of Professional/Am and Professional drivers alike. Initially, it appeared that Cale Phillips would earn his first Professional/Am victory in his No. 99 Mincey’s Graphics/SNP Inc. Ford Mustang, however with seven laps remaining, Boes reclaimed the lead. Phillips held on for second and Keith Prociuk completed third in his No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Automobiles Ford Mustang.
“I made a mistake form of early within the race, went to the again of the pack, and it jogged my memory how extremely good each driver on this discipline is,” stated Boes. “From the again, from the very first go, you’ve set to work for it, and it simply will get more durable and more durable as you go up, however I used to be in a position to make my means again up and it feels incredible.”
The spotlight present of Saturday’s race will air on MAVTV on Thursday, October 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Collection returns to the observe for the season finale at Circuit of The Americas on November 1-3.
