Ave capitalizes on second chance to qualify
April 11, 2015
Barcenas, McAleese improves starting position, Lopez, Lawrence, Camus and Napieralski lead practice
(Provisional) HOMESTEAD, Fla. (April 11, 2015) – Tony Ave showcased Trans Am’s new qualifying format today during the re-qualifying session as he pushed the No. 92, Lamers Motor Racing Ford Mustang, around the track at Homestead Miami Speedway to the tune of a 1:22.582 lap—strong enough to see him start sixth in tomorrow’s Trans Am Muscle Car Challenge.
Ave was forced to sit out yesterday’s “Fast Five” qualifying session due to a blown motor, today he returned with a new car and a new opportunity—one upon which he quickly capitalized. His time immediately saw him rise to sixth starting position, the highest possible for a requalification attempt; as the top five, the “Fast Five,” are locked from the day prior. Now, instead of starting the race from the back, the always-dangerous Ave will be a definitive threat to the race leaders.
In the TA class, Mario Barcenas and Jim McAleese also took advantage of the requalification session. Barcenas and the No. 35 REM Racing Chevrolet Corvette moved up one position from eleventh to tenth on the TA grid; while McAleese, who was unable to qualify yesterday, moved the No. 03 McAleese and Associates/Jetco Chevrolet Corvette from dead last to twelfth position for tomorrow’s race.
Tim Gray, in the No. 60 Ryan Companies Inc Chevrolet Camaro, participated in the session as well and improved his standing within the TA2 class.
Prior to the re-qualifying session Trans Am held two practice sessions allowing drivers the opportunity to shakedown their cars one more time before tomorrow’s races.
In the TA2 session, pole-sitter Cameron Lawrence, in the No. 1 MOPAR Dodge Challenger, once more led the way with a lap to the tune of 1:22.762. Trans Am rookie Dillon Machavern, in the No. 24 UniFirst/PPG Ford Mustang, was second in the session with a time of 1:23.255. Lawrence Loshak was third quickest with a 1:23.510 behind the wheel of the No. Raybestos Powertrain/ Loshak Racing Ford Mustang. Jordan Bupp, in the No. 12 American Speed Factory Ford Mustang, and Adam Andretti, in the No. 44 Engineered Components Company Chevrolet Camaro, were fourth and fifth fastest with times of 1:23.575 and 1:23.671, respectively.
TA and TA3 followed in a second practice session of their own. In the TA class, RJ Lopez again flexed the muscle behind the No. 16 Optica Lopez Chevrolet Corvette, leading all TA class participants with a lap time of 1:17.646—opening up a gap of over a second on session runner-up Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, and his time of 1:18.951. Amy Ruman and the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette were third quickest in the session with a lap time of 1:19.196; while Paul Fix, in the No. 4 StopFlex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet Corvette, and Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, rounded out the top five with times of 1:19.361 and 1:19.951, respectively.
TA3’s American Muscle Group was led by Todd Napieralski, in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/ Backstreet Performance Chevrolet Camaro, with a time of 1:27.335. Thomas Ellis, in the No. 00 Palm Express Ford Mustang, and Chris DeSalvo, in the No. 61 Baucom Motorsports Ford Mustang, were second and third quickest in the session with times of 1:28.545 and 1:28.892.
In the International Group, Michael Camus and the No. 08 Epic Motorsports/ Camus Racing BMW M3, once more led the way with a 1:24.991; while Russ Snow, in the No. 20 Guardian Services Chevrolet Corvette, and Jerry Greene, in the No. 93 Temp Air Porsche 996 GT3, followed second and third with times of 1:26.582 and 1:27.884.
The Trans Am Series’ TA2 class will take to the track at 12:25 p.m. eastern for the inaugural Trans Am Muscle Car Challenge with 29 members of the class participating as Camaro, Challenger and Mustang are pitted against each other.
Shortly afterwards at 2:45 p.m. the TA and TA3 classes will hold the second Trans Am race of the day. Both races will constitute Round 2 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship and will be 102.15 miles in length, the equivalent of 45 laps around the modified road course at Homestead Miami.
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About The Trans Am Series:
The Trans Am Series, America’s Road Racing Series, began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing. Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing, through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), through a five-year agreement in which TARC oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides operations services to the Series.
Defending Champions include: Doug Peterson (TA), Cameron Lawrence (TA2), Ernie Francis, Jr., (TA3 American Muscle) and Jason Berkeley (TA3 International).
For more on the Trans Am Series visit www.gotransam.com, “like” Trans Am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, or follow Trans Am on Twitter at @gotransam.
