The checkered flag has waved on the Trans Am Sequence offered by Pirelli’s 2024 season. After back-to-back races, Chris Dyson received the TA season finale, whereas Paul Menard claimed his first championship within the class. Brent Crews received his second CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence race of the yr after simply 4 begins, whereas Rafa Matos secured his third-career championship.
Kyle Kelley received the Western Championship’s TA2 race, whereas Michael LaPaglia earned sufficient factors to clinch the title. Sam Correy earned his first-career victory within the CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence Professional/Am Problem, and Will Rodgers, Josh Carlson and Chris Coffey received in XGT, SGT and GT, respectively.
Notes of curiosity:
* Paul Menard earned his first-career Trans Am championship.
* Menard made his first-career begin within the collection in 2002, however that is his first full-time championship effort. He received six races this season.
* Rafa Matos clinched his third-career TA2 championship. He’s the primary driver within the class to ever win three titles (2018, 2021, 2024).
* Matos received 5 races this yr 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 earlier title in SGT.
* Previous to COTA, Barry Boes was topped the winner of the TA2 Professional/Am Problem, Danny Lowry received the XGT championship, Kaylee Bryson clinched SGT’s title, Chris Coffey clinched the GT championship, Steve Goldman received the Western Championship’s TA title, and David Hampton earned the Western Championship’s GT title.
Though he didn’t end the season together with his fourth consecutive title, Dyson ended 2024 on a excessive, driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle within the season finale. With a quick No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang, he was constant all through the race because the drivers round him confronted attrition, claiming his third victory of the yr.
Paul Menard (No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Instruments Ford Mustang) began the race from the pole and was quick from the time the inexperienced flag waved. Sadly, after main the primary 15 laps of the race, Menard’s automotive started to smoke and sluggish, and he was compelled onto pit lane with a spark plug concern.
Thomas Annunziata (No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger) took excessive place and led the subsequent 4 laps, however Dyson was proper on his tail, overtaking Annunziata on lap 21. Annunziata remained in Dyson’s wake after the move, and the 2 have been solely a half-second aside, with Annunziata difficult Dyson each approach he might for the subsequent 4 circuits.
Sadly, a mechanical concern introduced Annunziata to a halt with simply three laps remaining, prompting the warning that will finish green-flag competitors. With Annunziata stopped on monitor, Dyson was adopted throughout the end 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 one another mercilessly all through the 30-lap occasion. Annunziata was scored fourth, and fifth was Austin native Gar Robinson within the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro.
“I’ve obtained to say that these guys over right here, they gave me an incredible automotive all yr,” stated Dyson. “We simply weren’t capable of present sufficient wins this yr, so this feels nice to complete this yr with a win. I believe it carries nice momentum by way of the winter. I’m so joyful to have my spouse right here this weekend with me. The household was with us rather a lot this yr, and it was simply actually particular. And I’m simply actually pleased with the blokes; they’ve accomplished a tremendous job. Due to Mike Lanci on the engines.
“This one’s for Bob Riley; we misplaced him final week. He gave us an absolute missile rocketship as a parting present in a very distinguished profession. I used to be completely honored to work with him, and I’m actually proud to have that automotive in Victory Lane right here at present.”
TA Champions
Nationwide Championship: Paul Menard
Western Championship: Steve Goldman
TA High 5:
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 Chief:
Paul Menard, No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Instruments Ford Mustang
Carson Kvapil within the No. 17 Crew SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro began the CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence race from the pole, however instantly misplaced his place when the inexperienced flag waved. Third-place starter Nathan Herne (No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro) took over the purpose place, adopted by Thomas Merrill (No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Vehicles Ford Mustang).
Herne managed the race till lap 11, when 2022 champion Merrill made the move for the lead, however Herne obtained again previous him on lap 14. When Merrill misplaced the lead, it price him momentum, permitting Thomas Annunziata (No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage Funding/Chriswell Ford Mustang) to slip into the runner-up spot, with Merrill transferring again to 3rd. By lap 22, Annunziata was capable of chase down Herne, taking the lead for the primary time. On the similar time, Brent Crews entered the hunt for a podium spot, slipping into third. Simply two laps later, Crews moved into second and started to pursue Annunziata.
On lap 28, Crews and Annunziata have been drag racing for the victory, however on the similar time, the yellow flag was waved for an affect in Flip 19. On the time of the warning, Crews had inched forward of Annunziata, and with the race unable to return to green-flag racing, he was declared the winner. Annunziata was second, adopted by Merrill, Herne, and Evan Slater (No. 8 Crew SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro), who clinched a top-five place on the final lap. With an eighth-place end, Rafa Matos (No. 60 Harmony American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) claimed his third TA2 championship.
“I need to thank the great Lord above for letting me be right here and preserving me secure,” stated Crews. “I need to give an enormous congratulations to the entire Nitro Motorsports crew, all people on the No. 60 crew, and Rafa Matos for his championship; that’s tremendous cool, and so is the truth that this staff went back-to-back. [Team owner] Nick [Tucker] has made such an incredible race staff these previous couple years, and it’s fairly cool to see it evolve from a one-car staff to seven vehicles this weekend.
“Having the ability to end one-two between myself and Thomas [Annunziata] is fairly candy. I need to thank all people at Franklin Highway Attire, Nick Tucker, Joe Claridge, my dad, Shannon, who’s right here with us now, and all people that touches this factor. They did an incredible job all weekend. Having the ability to cost by way of the sphere like that late is fairly cool, and I’m simply joyful to be right here, joyful to get one other win, and hopefully I’ll see y’all subsequent yr.”
Within the Professional/Am Problem, Sam Correy within the No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang received the race in his very first Trans Am begin.
“It’s superior to be right here,” stated Correy. “As of two weeks in the past, we didn’t know we have been going to be on this race, so our first weekend right here, the primary time within the automotive, it was actually good to get a grip on it. It’s a very enjoyable automotive; it’s pleasurable. I can’t thank Nitro Motorsports sufficient, everybody at Trans Am, everybody at CUBE 3. I additionally need to thank Stilo and Pink Line Oil, all the blokes which have helped get me right here, my mother and my dad. I can’t wait to be again.”
Within the Western Championship, Tim Barber within the No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang began from the primary place and maintained it for the primary 15 laps. Nonetheless, when bother struck Barber, it was Kyle Kelley within the No. 80 PK+okay Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang who inherited the lead after operating second for the primary half of the occasion. JC Meynet (No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro) took over second, and regardless of early troubles and a spin, championship chief Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Storage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) was capable of maintain on to assert the third place on the rostrum and seize the CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence title. Barber salvaged a fourth-place end, and Victor Czapla within the No. 88 Cool Boxx Dodge Challenger rounded out the highest 5.
“It feels fairly nice, particularly being a little bit behind in observe and qualifying,” stated Kelley. “We simply saved throwing stuff at it and went with a setup that no person else appeared to need to go along with, nevertheless it labored for us. It labored for our automotive, and we ended up getting the place we wanted to be.”
CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence Champions
Nationwide Championship: Rafa Matos
Professional/Am Problem: Barry Boes
Western Championship: Michael LaPaglia
CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence Nationwide Championship High 5:
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 Vehicles Ford Mustang
4. Nathan Herne, No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro
5. Evan Slater, No. 8 Crew SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro
CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence Professional/Am Problem High 5:
1. Sam Corry, No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
2. Keith Prociuk, No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Vehicles Ford Mustang
3. Tom Sheehan, No. 97 Vixen Bikes/LTK Insulation Ford Mustang
4. Barry Boes, No. 27 Crew SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang
5. Jared Odrick, No. 0 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence Western Championship High 5:
1. Kyle Kelley, No. 80 PK+okay Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang
2. JC Meynet, No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro
3. Michael LaPaglia, No. 31 Papini’s Storage/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 Quickest Lap of the Race:
Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
Bassett Laborious Charger:
Adam Andretti, No. 41 Final Headers Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Cool Boxx Coolest Transfer of the Race:
Bob Accardo Jr., No. 39 Correct Arms/R.A.C.E. Advertising and marketing USA Chevrolet Camaro
Will Rodgers was the category of the XGT class subject all weekend in his No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro, dominating on each the Nationwide Championship and Western Championship sides as an entrant in each lessons. He led each lap and even challenged a variety of the TA opponents, ending the race second total. Teammate Ken Sutherland (No. 85 Kallberg Building/Wyatt Fireplace Safety Dodge Challenger) and staff proprietor Chris Evans (No. 92 Central Welding Provide Ford Mustang) have been additionally operating each lessons, and took second and third on the rostrum, respectively. John Moore (No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang) and Scott Dollahite (No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8) rounded out the highest 5 on the Nationwide facet.
Within the Western Championship, Michael McAleenan (No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO) was capable of beat Sutherland, incomes second place, with Sutherland ending third. Evans and Moore have been scored fourth and fifth in Western.
“Our race was fairly rattling good,” stated Rodgers. “This race confirmed precisely what this Chris Evans Inc. XGT automotive is that I’ve been very privileged to race over the past two years for Chris Evans, and Jeff Jefferson, and Jerry Pitts. It’s nothing in need of a badass automotive. So, anyone that has any curiosity, come test it out. This class is severely going someplace. I’m very grateful to be right here and had a good time.”
XGT Champions
Nationwide Championship: Danny Lowry
Western Championship: Chris Evans
XGT Outcomes:
Nationwide Championship
1. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro
2. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Building/Wyatt Fireplace Safety Dodge Challenger
3. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Provide 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 Building/Wyatt Fireplace Safety Dodge Challenger
4. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Provide Ford Mustang
5. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang
Josh Carlson within the No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang dominated within the SGT race, driving from final to first and trying out from his opponents. Beginning fourth, Carlson took the purpose place by the conclusion of the second lap and held the lead till the checkered flag waved, incomes his first-career SGT victory. Kaylee Bryson (No. 02 Logical Programs Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette) began second and held the place for your entire race. Lee Saunders (No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper) began the race first however had a problem early on that dropped him again to 3rd. Michael LaPaglia (No. 81 Papini’s Storage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) completed fourth after mechanical points compelled him to retire early.
“We didn’t actually know what to anticipate for a end at present, contemplating that we had some gremlins within the automotive throughout observe and we solely obtained one qualifying lap,” stated Carlson. “We have been actually proud of how the automotive was operating. I can’t thank my staff or my sponsors sufficient for every little thing they’ve accomplished for me all season to make this one lastly occur for us this yr. Thanks to Trans Am for placing on such an incredible present all yr. I actually take pleasure in operating right here.”
SGT Champion
Nationwide Championship: Kaylee Bryson
SGT Outcomes:
1. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang
2. Kaylee Bryson, No. 02 Logical Programs Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette
3. Lee Saunders, No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper
4. Michael LaPaglia. No. 81 Papini’s Storage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang
The GT race completed the identical approach it began, with 2024 champion Chris Coffey (No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Visitors Grafix Maserati MC GT4) main from flag to flag. After difficult Coffey firstly of the race, in addition to on the restarts, GT Western Championship title winner David Hampton (No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport) began and completed second, and Colin Cohen within the No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Visitors Grafix Maserati MC GT4 completed third.
“Oh, it was unbelievable,” stated Coffey. “[David Hampton] gave me a run proper there firstly. It was a protracted race and I used to be biting my fingernails at these restarts with him proper behind me. However the first individual I’ve to thank up right here is Colin [Cohen]. With out Colin, I couldn’t be right here. I couldn’t even be on the monitor proper now. So, hats off to him and thanks for every little thing that you simply do for me and for preserving me on the racetrack. Morgan, my spouse, and my son, Sam, got here to help me this weekend. I couldn’t be happier to have them right here this weekend. It was picturesque. I imply, simply best possible days of my life proper now. It’s superior.”
GT Champions
Nationwide Championship: Chris Coffey
Western Championship: David Hampton
GT Outcomes:
Nationwide Championship
1. Chris Coffey, No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Visitors Grafix Maserati MC GT4
2. David Hampton, No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport
3. Colin Cohen, No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Visitors Grafix Maserati MC GT4
