Ruman, Lawrence eye trifectas as Trans Am heads to Road Atlanta
May 7, 2015
Trans Am slated for record entry of 74 at Road Atlanta
MIAMI, Fla. (May 6, 2015) – The Trans Am Series will take to the track at Road Atlanta this weekend, Saturday May 9, 2015, with an all-time record entry of 74 cars for its two 100-mile races, the Foametix Trans Am 100 and the Foametix Muscle Car Challenge; as the rejuvenated Trans Am pairs with Formula Drift for a showcase of modern motorsport during the Drift Atlanta weekend.
The entry features impressive numbers across all three classes: TA (17), TA2 (37) and TA3 (19)—however, the 37 entries within the TA2 class stand as an additional record for the history books, eclipsing the previous record of 34, set at Sebring earlier this year. The sheer volume of TA2 entries for the event will see The Trans Am Race Company once more split TA2 into its own independent show, The Foametix Muscle Car Challenge.
“We continue to be encouraged by the growth of the TA2 class,” said John Clagett, President of The Trans Am Race Company. “We were leaning towards splitting the class off this weekend anyways, but the volume of overall entries made it an easy decision. As we continue to build for the future, I’m sure this will be an even more common occurrence—TA2 features some outstanding racing, and the class is more and more deserving of its own show.”
The Foametix Muscle Car Challenge will kick off Saturday’s events at 9:30 a.m. EDT as the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang compete in an exclusive showcase of American iron and the TA2 platform. The race will also see two-time defending Champion Cameron Lawrence aim for his third win in as many races from behind the wheel of the No.1 MOPAR Dodge Challenger.
Lawrence has shown neither rust nor complacency in his title defense with victories at Sebring and Homestead-Miami during the first two rounds of the 2015 Trans Am Championship. Now, Lawrence will look to continue that streak as Trans Am ventures outside his home state of Florida. Lawrence was victorious at Road Atlanta in 2013 but missed out on the top three in 2014—and while Lawrence has already accumulated a sizeable points lead, the 2015 season is still young and the defending champ will, as always, be aiming for the top spot on the podium.
Lawrence will be challenged by a strong contingent of TA2 drivers including 2014 race winner Adam Andretti, driver of the No. 44 Engineered Components Company Ford Mustang; current points runner-up Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 74 Ranch
Resort Chevrolet Camaro; Lawrence Loshak, in the No. 5 Raybestos Powertrain Ford Mustang; Tony Buffomante, in the No. 34 Bestline Superior Lubricants Ford Mustang; and the addition of 2011 and 2012 TA2 Champion Bob Stretch, in the No. 83 Bulk Nation/ CBRT Ford Mustang. Stretch’s entry at Road Atlanta marks his first foray into Trans Am in 2015 and will be another opportunity for the veteran to showcase his talent in the TA2 class.
The Foametix Trans Am 100, featuring the TA and TA3 classes, will take place later that morning at 11:40 a.m. with another trifecta on the line as Amy Ruman, driver of the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, also aims for a third victory in 2015 and a fourth in a row. Ruman has a strong history at Road Atlanta, with her first Trans Am victory coming on the Georgia track in 2011. Now, Ruman will look to continue her streak of success and expand her lead atop the point standings.
Cliff Ebben, in the No. 36 McMahon Group/ Stumpf Ford Mustang, and Paul Fix, in the No. 4 Stopflex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet Corvette, are currently tied for second in the TA class points and will be expected to contend as well. Defending Champion Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, was victorious at Road Atlanta last year and will be eying an opportunity to springboard his title defense after a disappointing eighth place finish at Homestead.
Sportscar racing veterans Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, and Claudio Burtin, in the No. 7 Foametix Chevrolet Corvette, are expected to run upfront in the TA class as well throughout the weekend.
Both subgroups of the TA3 class, American Muscle and International Group, will be on display alongside the TA class in the Trans Am Foametix 100, with the spotlight on defending Champions and points leaders alike. Within the International Group, Lee Saunders, in the No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper, will aim for his third podium placement in as many races; while defending Champion Jason Berkeley, in the No. 67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, will try to build a momentum of his own after a slow start to the season. In the American Muscle Group, Todd Napieralski, driving the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance Chevrolet Camaro, has led the way throughout the first two rounds with a first and second place finish to his name—it’s championship caliber form if he can maintain it. Likewise Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 9 Breathless Performance Chevrolet Camaro, will try to regain his own form after two disappointing showings at Sebring and Homestead-Miami as he looks to charge up his title defense.
Other TA3 drivers to watch throughout the Foametix weekend include: Thomas Ellis, in the No. 00 Palm Express/Averitt/Steeda Ford Mustang, hot off his American Muscle win at Homestead-Miami; current International Group points runner up Jerry Greene, in the No. 93 Temp Air Porsche 996; and speedster Russ Snow, in his No. 20 Guardian Services, AiM Sports Chevrolet Corvette.
The Trans Am Series will first take to the track on Friday May 8 at 9:00 a.m. EDT for practice with TA2 participating in a separate session first and TA and TA3 following at 9:15 a.m. “Fast Five” qualifying will follow shortly afterwards with TA2 back on track at 11:30 a.m. and TA and TA3 following at 11:45 a.m. A second set of practice sessions will follow at 2:30 p.m. with TA2 going first, followed by TA and TA3 at 2:45. The second chance to qualify will follow immediately afterwards at 3:00 p.m.
Two 101.6-mile Trans Am races will take place on Saturday, May 9, the Foametix Muscle Car Challenge, a TA2 exclusive race at 9:30 a.m., and the Foametix Trans Am 100, featuring both TA and TA3 at 11:40 a.m., with both races constituting Round 3 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship.
Fans can keep up with all the action throughout the weekend at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam. In addition, live timing and scoring is available at www.gotransam.com/live-timing and on Race Monitor.
When to watch on CBS Sports Network;
SATURDAY MAY 23, 12:00 PM ET
FOAMETIX 100-ROAD ATLANTA, GA
Round 3 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship, featuring TA and TA3 classes
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 12:00 PM ET
FOAMETIX MUSCLE CAR CHALLENGE-ROAD ATLANTA, GA
Round 3 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship, TA2, featuring Mustang, Camaro, Challenger
About:
About FOAMETIX®: FOAMETIX® proudly traces its roots back to the early 1960’s when a small, family owned polyurethane company realized the increasing need for more advanced, environmentally friendly urethane foam technologies. Throughout the years, this same company revolutionized the polyurethane industry with the development of LINE-X®, the worldwide leader in spray-on truck bed liners, and PAXCON®, one of very few blast mitigation products tested and approved by the US Military. For more information please visit www.foametix.com.
About Trans Am: 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.
