Thomas Merrill had an ideal day at Watkins Glen Worldwide, incomes his first pole of the 2024 season and happening to win the CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Collection race. Merrill dominated the sphere, pulling out to a commanding lead and pacing each lap en path to victory on the Mission Meals Watkins Glen SpeedTour.
Taking the inexperienced flag from the pole in his No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Automobiles Ford Mustang, Merrill held his line because the leaders fanned out 5 extensive into Flip 1. Thomas Annunziata (No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) challenged Merrill, however was unable to finish the go, pulling into line behind him. Merrill started to open up his lead, however the double yellow was displayed earlier than the conclusion of the primary lap, bringing out the protection automotive.
The inexperienced flag waved on lap 4, with Merrill main Annunziata, Jake Drew (No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro), Carson Kvapil (No. 17 Workforce SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro) and Austin Inexperienced (No. 89 3-Dimensional Providers Group Ford Mustang) throughout the road. Merrill pulled forward of his opponents, and the highest 5 remained the identical till lap 9, when Kvapil had a mechanical subject and got here to a halt within the Bus Cease, making approach for Ben Maier (No. 80 BOE Marine/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) to maneuver into fifth.
On lap 13, Annunziata’s motor let go, bringing him to a standstill subsequent to the Bus Cease. The next lap, Maier was handed by factors chief Rafa Matos (No. 60 Harmony American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and Tyler Kicera (No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang), whereas Inexperienced made a lovely go on Drew. That very same lap, a full-course warning was known as to gather Annunziata’s stopped car, and Merrill’s lead of greater than 3s was erased.
Racing resumed for the ultimate time on lap 18, and with 12 green-flag laps to stretch his legs, Merrill was with out problem, opening up a 5s hole. Behind him, Inexperienced solidly held second, whereas third-place Drew was being stalked by Matos in fourth. On the ultimate lap, Drew made a mistake, permitting Matos to assert the ultimate podium spot. Merrill crossed the end line to earn his second victory of the season, adopted by Inexperienced and Matos. Drew and Kicera rounded out the highest 5.
“I used to be interested by [crew chief] Jason Bowser the entire race lengthy; how a lot he would take pleasure in being right here and seeing that in particular person,” mentioned Merrill after the race. “I do know he’s watching on TV, in all probability having fun with it, and I hope it’s serving to him take into consideration one thing else for a change. He’s had a tricky week. I’ll let you know, it was an honor to drive this race automotive at this time. That was among the finest race automobiles I’ve ever pushed. It simply saved getting higher, and the proof’s within the pudding with the lap instances and the efficiency. Large due to the crew for giving me a heck of a race automotive.”
In Professional/Am Problem, Barry Boes (No. 27 Workforce SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang) began the race first at school, however midway via the primary lap, one other competitor bought into the again of him, sending him spinning off the monitor and inflicting a lower tire. Boes was pressured to go to pit lane, and his crew made a fast tire change earlier than sending him again on the monitor. Regardless of the lightning-fast cease, Boes was now final in his class. He spent the following 27 laps preventing his approach again via the sphere, lastly making his approach round chief Tom Sheehan (No. 97 Vixen Bike/LTK Insulation Ford Mustang) on lap 28 with a stellar go. Jared Odrick (No. 00 BLACK Underwear/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) had an identical story after he obtained a pass-through penalty early within the race for lacking the Bus Cease. He, too, navigated his approach via the pack, working his approach into the third place within the closing laps to take a podium spot.
“Driving from the again was not what I wished to do, however the automotive–I’ve bought to ask the fellows whether or not they handled the tires or one thing, as a result of it was superb,” joked Boes. “It did all the things I wished it to; it did greater than it ought to, and it was in a position to get me again up there. I wish to thank Accio Information, Megan, the crew, Workforce SLR. These guys did the quickest tire change on the market. The crew introduced within the guys from NASCAR, and with out them, I wouldn’t be right here. Thanks.”
The spotlight present of Friday’s race will air on MAVTV on Thursday, August 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Collection returns to motion subsequent weekend to tackle Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 29-31.
