Double take: Cassaro retains crown

At the conclusion of the NorthStar Battery Ctek Chargers 100 at Daytona, Chuck Cassaro stood on the bottom step of the podium in third place, smile emblazoned across his face.  He had not won the race or set the fast lap for the session or pulled off a daring overtake on the final lap of the race.  Still, Cassaro was the 2013 TA3 American Muscle Champion, having successfully defended his 2012 title.  The proclaimed Fan’s Man, Chuck Cassaro was Champion once again. 

 

“It feels great.  I went into this year wanting to do back-to-back championships, and I was able to seal it at the end of the year.  It was definitely a tough battle; we had a lot of great competitors that are super fast and outstanding drivers.  I look forward to more battles next year.  Going into 2014, the Championship is completely open; there should be some great battles.”  

 

Cassaro’s year behind the wheel of the #76 StackData/Aeromotive/Metallica Ford Mustang has been anything but ordinary.   In 2012 Cassaro, in a Panoz GT, was a participant in the production-based GGT class, when it existed as a singular entity prior to its division into the TA3 International and American Muscle Groups.

 

Cassaro switched to a Ford Mustang for the 2013 Season, a move to not only ensure his ability to compete but to also show off the viability of TA3 as a competitive production-based platform—the Champ declared his entry into the TA3 American Muscle Group, a move that eventually resulted in his second consecutive Championship—with year-end accolades including 127 points, five podiums and two victories. 

 

Cassaro’s title defense was put to the test when fans and friends held their collective breath during round seven at Brainerd International Raceway, when Cassaro was transported to a local hospital after a particularly nasty collision when his #76 Mustang hit the wall at full speed.  Yet, Cassaro showed one of the traits that Champions are made of—resiliency.  

 

Come round eight at the World Information Systems Trans Am 100 at Virginia International Raceway, Cassaro was back behind the wheel, ready to continue his title defense, in a quickly prepped replacement car.  While the new car was slightly and inescapably overweight, he continued un-relented through the increasingly large American Muscle fields.  Cassaro finished with solid showings at VIR and Road Atlanta, enough to maintain his lead going into Daytona. 

 

With a solid lead, Cassaro needed to complete 50% of the laps to secure his Championship; but, as Champions often do, he overachieved—finishing on the podium and retaining the title to end the year in spectacular fashion. 

 

Cassaro deserves praise for his unwavering consistency, his continued professionalism throughout all competitions and his dedication to his fans.  Throughout all weekends and the days leading up to them, Cassaro made it a point to maintain his fan page with constant video updates, track footage and breaking news for the team.  Declared the ‘Fan’s Man’ last year, Cassaro continued to grow his legacy this year, not only as a driver but also as a man committed to Trans Am, its fans and racing. 

 

Two TA3 Championships may be as far as Cassaro goes though, as his plans for 2014 may take him away from the production-based class.

 

“I’m actually toying with the idea of going to TA2 for next year,” said Cassaro.  “I may have to look into selling a few cars, but TA2 just makes more sense for me personally right now for multiple reasons.  But it’s going to take some thinking, and it’s really all up in the air.”