10 Days of Champions - Barry Boes: CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge
December 22, 2024
In its first year of the new format, the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge saw some of the most exciting racing of the season. Many talented competitors scored victories and reached major milestones, but it was Barry Boes in the No. 27 Team-SLR M1 Racecars Ford Mustang who was the class of the field, tallying seven victories while competing against Trans Am veterans like Keith Prociuk (No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang) and Tom Sheehan (No. 97 Vixen Motorcycle/LTK Insulation Ford Mustang), as well as newcomer and former NFL player Jared Odrick (No. 00 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang).
Boes started off the season with a victory in the first race at Sebring International Raceway.
“This feels absolutely incredible,” said Boes after his Sebring win. “It’s amazing that I’m here today. Accio Data summoned us a victory today. Keith [Prociuk] and I qualified near each other, but Keith races really well, and I figured I’d be following him up to the front as much as I could. When he got hung up on the initial start, it gave me the opportunity to get up here and it feels fantastic.”
Boes backed up his Sebring victory with a win at Road Atlanta the following round, then went on to score three-consecutive top-five finishes. He returned to the top step of the podium with back-to-back victories at Pittsburgh International Race Complex and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
After a fifth-place finish at Road America, Boes had an incredible comeback at Watkins Glen International, starting the race first, but dropping to the back due to a cut tire. After a blazing-fast pit stop, he raced all the way through the field, going from last to first over the course of 27 laps.
“Driving from the back was not what I wanted to do, but the car--I've got to ask the guys whether they treated the tires or something, because it was amazing,” joked Boes. “It did everything I wanted it to; it did more than it should, and it was able to get me back up there. I want to thank Accio Data, Megan, the crew, Team SLR. Those guys did the fastest tire change out there. The team brought in the guys from NASCAR, and without them, I wouldn't be here.”
Watkins Glen kicked off a three-race winning streak, as Boes stood atop the podium again at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and VIRginia International Raceway. With a third-place finish at Circuit of The Americas, he was able to secure his title. Boes also competed full time in the Western Championship this season, claiming a victory in Portland International Raceway’s Race 1.
“I surprised myself by winning the championship,” said Boes. “I've worked really hard for many years in these cars, but there are so many good drivers. I knew that Keith [Prociuk] was going to be a contender, and I knew Jared [Odrick] was coming over in these cars. He is a true athlete, and I knew he was going to come up to speed really fast. Then we’ve got Tom Sheehan. I didn't really know how it was going to turn out. I'm very excited that I was able to win it, and against some really great guys.
Thank you to Team SLR-M1 Racecars. You know, the team has been absolutely incredible. It’s great being able to work with these young kids who are coming up and running. And, of course, I want to thank my coach, Scott Adams. He's here with me every weekend.”
