Trans Am opens MTP Industries Weekend of Thunder with practice
June 13, 2015
Andretti and Fix set fast times for TA and TA2, Francis and Mueller pace TA3
Millville, NJ (Saturday June 13, 2015) – The TA2 class kicked off Trans Am festivities at the MPT Industries Weekend of Thunder at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Round 5 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship, with an independent practice session in preparation for their own independent race, the MPT Twelve Lubricant & Penetrant 100.
Adam Andretti, in the No. 44 Engineered Components Ford Mustang, set the pace for the TA2 class with a time of 1:21.311 on only his second lap—a time below the current track qualifying record of 1:23.326 that Andretti set only last year. Andretti has been fast throughout the year, with multiple poles to his name Now, he and the ECC team will be focused on not only carrying that speed into qualifying but into tomorrow’s race as well; as they look to break a streak of bad luck and mechanical issues that have hampered Andretti’s year thus far.
Andretti was followed by Steve Kent, Jr., in the No. 83 Bulk Nation/ CBRT Ford Mustang, with a time of 1:21.431, strong enough for second in the session. Lawrence Loshak, in the No. 5 Raybestos Powertrain Ford Mustang, was third fastest in the session with a time of 1:21.737—a strong start as the team looks to rebound after a disappointing Round 4 at Lime Rock Park.
Tony Buffomante, in the No. 34 Bestline Superior Lubricants Ford Mustang, and Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, rounded out the TA2 top five with times of 1:22.488 and 1:22.639, respectively.
The TA2 class session was followed immediately by an additional practice session for the TA and TA3 classes, in preparation for their own race, the MPT Fuel Systems Cleanse 100.
Paul Fix, in the No. 4 Stopflex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet Corvette, hot off his win at Lime Rock Park, set the pace for the TA class with a time of 1:17.896 and was followed by Tony Ave Racing teammate Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, with a time of 1:18.843.
Fix currently hold second position in the TA class point standings, to Amy Ruman, and will look to close the gap on Ruman with another successful weekend to further his championship credentials.
Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, was third in the session with a time of 1:19.911. Meanwhile, John Baucom, in the No. 86 Baucom Motorsports Ford Mustang, and David Pintaric, in the No. 57 Kryderacing Chevrolet Corvette, were fourth and fifth in the session with times of 1:44.686 and 1:44.533, respectively.
Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 98 Breathless Racing Chevrolet Camaro, led the way for TA3’s American Muscle group with a time of 1:26.377. The defending group Champion is currently seeking his third win in a row for the group, as he continues his pursuit of a second consecutive Championship.
Francis was followed by Todd Napieralski, in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/ Backstreet Chevrolet Camaro, with a time of 1:28.502; and Preston Calvert, in the No. 17 Calvert Dynamics/Hoosier/Brembo Ford Mustang, was third with a time of 1:30.300.
Teammates Randy Mueller, in the No. 0 Epic Motorsports/MCM Holdings BMW M3, and Michael Camus, in the No. 08 Epic Motorsports/MCM Holdings BMW M3, led the way for the International Group with times of 1:26.450 and 1:28.442. The team is coming off a one-two finish at Lime Rock Park and will look to take advantage of yet another technical track with their European platform.
Joe Aquilante, in the No. 32 Phoenix/ Hawk Chevrolet Corvette, was third in the International Group with a time of 1:28.465.
Trans Am will return to the track for “Fast Five” qualifying later this day, beginning with the TA class at 1:45 p.m. EDT with TA2 and TA3 following, with each class receiving their own independent qualifying session. Trans Am will hold second practice sessions at 4:20 p.m., followed by the second chance to qualify at 4:50 p.m.
Trans Am will hold both races tomorrow, June 14, with the MPT Twelve Lubricant & Penetrant 100 (TA2 class race) at 11:50 a.m. and the MPT Fuel Systems Cleanse 100 (TA and TA3 class race) at 3:10 p.m.
Fans can keep up with all the action at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.
