Tony Buffomante Leads Second Practice in Detroit
June 1, 2018
Afternoon Qualifying Session Awaits Trans Am Field
DETROIT, Mich. [June 1, 2018] – In an abbreviated second practice session for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, Tony Buffomante and the No. 34 Mike Cope Ford Mustang, led the way for the 20-car TA2, powered by AEM, class field.
Teams and drivers alike made final preparations for this afternoon’s qualifying sessions for tomorrow’s 3-Dimensional Muscle Car Challenge, with Buffomante and teammate Keith Prociuk, in the No. 9 HP Tuners Chevrolet Camaro, making the most of the session for Mike Cope Racing, going one-two atop the practice charts.
Buffomante, the 2016 TA2 champion, turned a 1:37.085 on his sixth and final lap, with Prociuk coming in second quick with a 1:37.548 of his own. Buffomante currently stands second in the TA2 points standings and enters the weekend eager to regain ground on current points leader Rafa Matos, who stands 29 points ahead. Prociuk currently resides in sixth position but is only 12 points out of second place.
Gar Robinson, who led the first practice from behind the wheel of the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, was third quick with a lap of 1:37.971; while Marc Miller, in the No. 77 Berryman/ Prefix Ford Mustang, and Rafa Matos, in the No. 88 3-Dimensional Services Chevrolet Camaro, completed the top five with times of 1:38.519 and 1:38.813, respectively.
TA2 competitors who turned lap times in the top ten also included Shane Lewis, Jordan Bupp, Ernie Francis, Jr., Joe Napoleon and Ethan Wilson.
Trans Am’s TA2 class will return to the Belle Isle circuit this afternoon for qualifying at 4:35 PM ET to determine the starting order for tomorrow’s 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge, the first of two races this weekend.
Track time for Trans Am competitors during the session was limited due to an early incident that left the No. 8 WCIParts.com/ ALCONI Chevrolet Camaro in the tire wall at turn five, forcing repairs.
The 20 TA2 competitors will compete in two races during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, the 60-minute 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge on Saturday June 2, 2018, and the 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash, 100-miles or 75 minutes whichever comes first, on Sunday June 3, 2018.
Race order for the 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash will be determined by fast lap, quickest to slowest, from the 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge.
Fans can keep up with Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli action throughout the event at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.
Likewise, updates from the entirety of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear can be found at http://detroitgp.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/detroitgp and on Twitter at @DetroitGP.
Remaining Trans Am Event Schedule:
Friday June 1, 2018
4:35 PM – 5:05 PM Qualifying
Saturday, June 2, 2018
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge
Sunday June 3, 2018
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Trans Am Autograph Session
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash
*all times eastern.
Session Coverage:
Live Timing: All on-track sessions can be followed at www.gotransam.com and on the Race Monitor app available on Windows, Android, iOS and OSX.
Text Commentary: Updates provided throughout sessions on Twitter at @gotransam.
Live Streaming on Motor Trend On Demand:
3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash – June 3, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Broadcast:
Trans Am’s races at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear will be broadcast, tape delayed, on CBS Sports Network.
3-Dimensional Services Motor City Recap- June 17, 1:00 PM ET
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