Fix leads final practice session at Road America
August 28, 2015
Machavern sets the pace for TA2, Streimer and Napieralski lead TA3 groups
Paul Fix and the No. 4 StopFlex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet Corvette led the Trans Am field in its final practice of the Next Dimension 100 weekend at Road America. Fix powered his car around the track to the tune of a 2:06.938 lap, enough to lead all competitors and the TA class.
Fix was followed by current TA class points leader Amy Ruman, in the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, who turned a 2:07.271. Ruman will start in third position in tomorrow’s race, while Fix will begin the race in second position alongside polesitter Cliff Ebben. Defending Champion Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Cadillac CTS-V, was third quick with a 2:07.563; while Simon Gregg, in the No. 57 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, and Trans Am legend Greg Pickett, in the No. 68 Flavor Insights Jaguar XKR, were fourth and fifth quick in the session with times of 2:08.450 and 2:09.156.
In TA2, Dillon Machavern, in the No. 24 UniFirst/PPG Ford Mustang, led the TA2 class in the session with a time of 2:16.133 and was followed closely by Tony Buffomante, in the No. 34 BestLine Superior Lubricants Ford Mustang, who turned a 2:16.270. Adam Andretti, in the No. 44 Engineered Components Chevrolet Camaro, was third in the session with a 2:16.863; while Joe Stevens, driver of the No. 11 MOPAR Dodge Challenger, was fourth and Lawrence Loshak, in the No. 5 Raybestos Powertrain Ford Mustang, was fifth with each logging times of 2:17.023 and 2:17.529, respectively.
In the TA3 class, Steve Streimer, in the No. 42 Lux Performance Dodge Viper, led the way with a 2:22.975 lap, strong enough to lead both his class and the International Group. Streimer was followed by Todd Napieralski, of the American Muscle Group in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Chevrolet Camaro, who turned a 2:23.413 lap, leading his group and second best in TA3. Jason Berkeley, in the No. 67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, was third quickest with a 2:24.182 and Milton Grant, in the No. 55 Courtyard Hotel Porsche 997 GT3, was fourth quickest with a 2:26.032 lap. Bill Baten, in the No. 85 Hendrickson USA Chevrolet Camaro, was fifth with a time of 2:27.525.
Four drivers elected to participate in the second chance to qualify: Oscar Teran, Tommy Archer, Joe Stevens and Kevin O’Connell. All of whom improved the standings within their respective classes by substantial margins for tomorrow’s race.
Archer, in particular, maximized his "second chance" with a 2:14.243 lap. The time was the strongest of the day, breatking the track record set by polesitter Cameron Lawrence only two hours before. However, with the "Fast Five" already secure, Acher will start sixth on the TA2 grid and and make his way from there.
Trans Am will return to the track at 9:30 a.m. CDT tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, 2015 for the Next Dimension 100, Round 8 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship.
Merged qualifying forthcoming
