Ebben, Lawrence claim poles in Road America Fast Five Qualifying
August 28, 2015
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. [August 28, 2015] – Cliff Ebben, Cameron Lawrence and Cindi Lux captured their respective poles in Trans Am “Fast Five” qualifying today at Road America in preparation for the Next Dimension 100, presented by the 3-Dimensional Services Group.
For Ebben the pole was a continuation of decades of success at the Wisconsin-based track that he and Lamers Motor Racing call home. Ebben powered the No. 36 Stumpf Ford/McMahon Group Ford Mustang around the 4.048-mile track to the tune of a 2:05.321, strong enough to fend off the challenges of front runners Paul Fix and Amy Ruman. If Ebben can hold his position over the course of the 100 mile Trans Am race tomorrow, it will mark his fifth consecutive podium finish at Road America in the Trans Am Series.
Paul Fix, in the No. 4 StopFlex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet Corvette, will start alongside Ebben in his pursuit of his second consecutive win in August. Fix’s time of 2:05.906 was just enough to edge out current points leader, Amy Ruman, in the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, who will have to settle for third starting position after a lap of 2:05.959. Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Cadillac CTS-V, and Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, rounded out the TA class “Fast Five” with times of 2:06.462 and 2:06.590.
In the TA2 class, Cameron Lawrence proved his mettle as two-time defending Champion and current points leader, powering the No. 1 MOPAR Dodge Challenger around the course in 2:14.612—a new TA2 track record, shattering his own from last year. Lawrence still holds a slight points lead despite not winning a race since Round 3 of this year, but the pole position puts him in prime position to rectify his winning ways on a track where he has won the past two TA2 races.
Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, will start alongside Lawrence courtesy of a 2:14.667 lap. Robinson is currently second in the points and in the midst of the Championship race; and while several rounds remain, both Robinson and Lawrence have little margin for error here at Road America. Dillon Machavern, in the No. 24 UniFirst/PPG Ford Mustang, will lead the second row after a 2:15.061 with Tony Buffomante, in the No. 34 BestLine Superior Lubricants Ford Mustang, alongside after turning a 2:15.198 of his own. Shane Lewis, in the No. 72 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, completed the TA2 “Fast Five” with a time of 2:15.448.
In TA3, rookie Cindi Lux, in the No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper, claimed the pole, setting a track record of her own with a 2:18.883 in her first Trans Am appearance at Road America. Lux will have familiar company alongside to start the race with teammate Steve Streimer, in the No. 42 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper, capturing second starting position after a lap time of 2:21.278.
Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 98 Breathless Performance Chevrolet Camaro,set the pole for TA3 American Muslce after staking a claim with a time of 2:21.386. Lee Saunders, in the No. 84 LandSearch LLC, Dodge Viper, will start in fourth after a time of 2:21.449; while defending International Group Champion Jason Berkeley, in the No. 67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, completed the TA3 “Fast Five” with a time of 2:21.519.
Trans Am will return to the track at Road America for a final practice session at 10:30 a.m. CDT followed shortly by second chance to qualify at 11:00 a.m. CDT. The Next Dimension 100, with all three classes participating, will commence at 9:30 a.m. CDT tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, 2015, for Round 8 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship.
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TA Fast Five Results - Provisional
