DYSON FINISHES SECOND AT COTA; TRANS AM TITLE COMES DOWN TO DAYTONA

October 7, 2019

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (OCTOBER 7, 2019) — Despite a combination of mechanical and electrical problems that left him with overheated brakes and a non-functioning cool suit on a record hot Texas day, Chris Dyson finished a close second in this weekend’s Circuit of the Americas round of the Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli. Dyson’s Plaid Mustang completed the caution-free, hundred-mile sprint race just three seconds behind race winner Adam Andretti. Dyson’s only competitor for the season championship, points leader Ernie Francis Jr., finished a distant fourth after experiencing power steering problems.

The race marked Andretti’s first victory in the series’ headline TA class, and following the race Dyson offered his congratulations to the winner.

"That was a fight out there, Dyson said. “We had good pace even though we were fighting the brakes overheating and a pretty sudden voltage drop that really concerned me. I shut off everything I could that drew current and tried to save the brakes for the last few laps.”

Dyson drove in conservation mode until there was no other choice but to go for it. “And then I pushed as hard as I could,” he said.  “We damn near caught Adam (Andretti). His car's pace was fading at the end, but he sure drove a great race and didn't make any mistakes. So hats off to him. I know this was a big day emotionally for Adam and his family, who are friends of ours.”

Dyson has scored two victories this season – at Lime Rock Park and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – along with podium finishes at Sebring, Mid-Ohio, and Watkins Glen. On the flipside, CoTA marked the fourth race in the ten run so far this season where mechanical problems prevented a potential win. At least this time the problems didn’t keep Dyson off the podium.

“Of course I’m frustrated,” Dyson admitted, “because once again we were fast enough to win but had some car problems. It’s been a character-building year, to say the least.”

The season finale will be held November 14-16 on the road course at Daytona International Speedway. With everything to gain, Dyson plans to run flat out the entire weekend, looking not simply to win the race, but also to pick up the championship points awarded for winning the pole, leading the most laps and setting the fastest lap of the race. “I know we will be fast at the Daytona finale. We just now need some racing luck to fall our way.”

Plaid

Headquartered in Atlanta, Plaid Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's largest, most diverse manufacturers of creative do-it-yourself products. Plaid’s product innovation and dedication to the ever-changing needs of consumers have made the Plaid family of products among the most recognized and desired brands worldwide.

Founded in 1976, Plaid began as a publisher of how-to craft books. The company soon expanded into manufacturing, with paint becoming the primary focus. Today, Plaid is the industry's leading small batch paint manufacturer, proudly producing paint in its facilities located outside of Atlanta, GA.

Notable brands in Plaid's portfolio include FolkArt, Apple Barrel, Delta, Bucilla, Martha Stewart Crafts, and one of the industry's best known, Mod Podge, a favorite since 1967.