Todd Napieralski and Tristan Herbert Sebring Wrap
April 4, 2016
Camaro drivers Todd Napieralski and Tristan Herbert kicked off Trans Am’s 50th Anniversary season with a spirited and eventful race at Sebring International Raceway. While neither car finished as well as hoped both drivers feel good about where the Sebring event sets them up for the coming season.
Trans Am veteran Napieralski began his 3rd Trans Am season with a solid 5th place finish while Herbert started his rookie season with a 7th place finish.
“I thought there were many positives despite our finishes. The team worked together well supporting two race cars.” Napieralski said. “We have the potential for much better results and hope to show that in Atlanta.”
Napieralski started the weekend well with a 3rd place qualifying spot. The car never seemed to handle just right, however, and he finished the event with the 5th place spot. With the bonus point for qualifying 3rd, Napieralski begins he championship chase in 5th place in the standings and only one point out of 4th.
Herbert began his first season in Trans Am with a spectacular event that looked as much like a chase scene out of an action movie as a racing incident. “Tristan did great for his first time in a heavy rear wheel drive sedan. He got faster each session and settled into the new platform nicely.” Said Napieralski. “He’s a great driver and will be a contender very soon.”
On the test day that precedes the official Trans Am sessions of an event Tristan’s Chevy Camaro suffered a brake failure as he approached the hairpin turn 7 at the famous hotel of Sebring International Raceway. Without any brakes he crashed thru a gate in a fence and ended up in the hotel parking lot. Nobody was injured and the car was fixed in time for qualifying.
Herbert qualified his Tilton Motorsports Camaro 4th. He ran competitive laps times and finished the race 7th. “All along we planned on using Sebring as an extended test. This is a new car. It’s a new kind of car for me. It’s a new track to me.” Herbert said. “We had pretty modest expectations and all things considered I think we did fine.”
“Road Atlanta is a different situation for me. I’ve got a lot of time there and am very comfortable on that track. I think we can look to put our best foot forward there. I know the car better now. I know the track well and enjoy it. I am looking forward to getting to that next race.” Said Herbert.
Napieralski is on the same page. “(Atlanta) Can’t get here soon enough.”
Napieralski will compete with his Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance Camaro and Herbert his Tilton Motorsports Camaro in the second race of the 2016 Trans Am season at Road Atlanta on April 9 and 10. Check GoTransAm.com for updates.
