Adam Andretti Fights Through Adversity to Claim Podium Finish at VIR
September 23, 2025
Alton, VIRGINIA – September 23, 2025 – Adam Andretti continued his remarkable 2025 Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli TA Class campaign on Sunday, September 21 at VIRginia International Raceway, overcoming an early setback to capture a hard-fought third-place finish and strengthen his position in the championship standings. The result gives Andretti 935 championship points and maintains his near-perfect podium streak—he has finished on the podium at every race this season except Mid-Ohio and Sonoma Raceway.
Andretti’s weekend began with his Burtin Racing team showcasing impressive speed as he qualified second on the grid with a blistering lap of 1:44.622, narrowly missing pole position to championship leader Paul Menard. Starting alongside Menard on the front row, Andretti’s No. 17 TOP LINER / Service Partners Chevrolet Camaro looked poised to challenge for the win. He shadowed the pole-sitter through the opening laps, pressuring Menard while fending off the pack behind.
However, on Lap 5, Andretti’s race took an unexpected turn. A brief off-track excursion through the VIR grass slowed his charge and clogged the Camaro’s grille with debris, triggering overheating issues that required an unscheduled pit stop to clear the front of the racecar. The stop dropped Andretti down the order with 25 laps remaining, forcing him to regroup and charge back through the field.
Undaunted, Andretti showcased the skill and determination that have defined his season. Once temperatures stabilized, he carved his way forward, setting some of the fastest laps of the race, including a best of 1:46.179. By the final 11 laps, Andretti had stormed back into podium contention, thrilling fans with a relentless drive that epitomized his championship-calibre consistency.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Andretti said after the race. “The off-track moment set us back, but the TOP LINER / Service Partners Camaro was quick all weekend, and once we got the temperatures down, we were able to show our pace. I’m proud of the way the team responded. We never gave up, and to come away with another podium keeps us right where we need to be in the championship fight.”
The closing laps produced one of the most dramatic battles of the afternoon as Andretti engaged in a fierce duel with Tomy Drissi for third place. Drissi muscled past Adam on the final lap, but in doing so incurred a post-race penalty for avoidable contact which relegated him to fourth, officially promoting Andretti back onto the podium.
Despite Menard’s runner-up finish extending his championship lead, Andretti remains firmly in contention with 935 points, sitting 46 points behind Menard as the season heads toward its final stretch. With his consistent podium form and relentless determination, Andretti remains a formidable challenger for the 2025 title.
“Our goal is always to win, but championships are built on days like this,” Andretti said. “We minimized the damage from an early mistake and kept our podium streak alive. That’s what it takes to stay in the hunt.”
The Trans Am Series will now look ahead to its season finale before an exciting 2026 campaign celebrating the 60th anniversary of the series, which will feature ten events, doubleheaders at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen, and a marquee stop at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway—where drivers will have the chance to “kiss the bricks.”
The Trans Am Series next hits the track October 17-19 for the Trans Am Series’ first visit to Barber Motorsports Park before the Grand Finale at Circuit of the Americas.
For more information on the Trans Am Series and the upcoming 2026 60th anniversary season, visit www.gotransam.com.
The Power of Partnership: Burtin Racing and TOP LINER
TOP LINER’s sponsorship has been instrumental in Burtin Racing’s 2025 campaign, supporting not only the team’s on-track performance but also fan engagement initiatives like the TOP LINER “Top Driver” Challenge. The promotion, launched last month in partnership with Andretti Indoor Karting & Games and Adam Andretti, blends grassroots karting with professional motorsport in an accessible and exciting format.
Running from August 25 through November 5, 2025, the sweepstakes invites fans to enter online, in-store at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games locations, or via mail-in entry. Twelve finalists will earn exclusive co-branded Burtin Racing and TOP LINER experiences, bringing them closer than ever to the heart-pounding excitement of professional racing. The finalist who posts the fastest lap on December 7th at the Race Day Challenge wins the Grand Prize – an all-expenses-paid VIP trip for two to the 2026 Trans Am Series weekend at Sebring International Raceway with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Burtin Racing and Adam Andretti. This challenge proudly supports Check It 4 Andretti, raising awareness for colon cancer prevention. You can opt in to receive educational materials when you enter — because early detection saves lives.
Full details of the TOP LINER Top Driver Challenge can be found at burtinracing.com
About TOP LINER Truck Bed Liners
TOP LINER is a global leader in spray-on truck bed liner technology. Based in Georgia, the company has just announced a nationwide distribution partnership with Service Partners. TOP LINER is also the primary partner for the hugely successful Burtin Racing Trans Am team, with Adam Andretti challenging for the Drivers’ Championship in 2025.
About Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games was established in 2001 and is based in Orlando, Florida. The company currently operates eleven state-of-the-art entertainment and event destination locations across Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Over the past decade, Andretti Karting & Games has experienced significant growth and is set to debut several new entertainment centers across the United States in 2025, including locations in Glendale, Arizona; Kansas City, Kansas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Durham, North Carolina; and Schaumburg, Illinois.
About Check It 4 Andretti
Check It 4 Andretti is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting colon cancer screening and prevention. Established by the Andretti family, the foundation works to save lives by raising awareness and encouraging early detection.
