Dancing with the Devil
August 19, 2021
New York – The first weekend of August saw The Trans Am presented by Pirelli hold its most anticipated event in years on the streets of Nashville, Tenn. TA2 was Saturday’s headliner at the inaugural Music City Grand Prix and the 100-mile, Big Machine Vodka, Spiked Coolers presents the Franklin Road Classic race did not disappoint the tens of thousands of fans, nor the CBS Sports television audience later that evening.
The new track required patience as passing zones were tight and the consequences for a mistake were high. The TA2 field did an excellent job as the race was slowed by a mere three caution flags. The caution periods bunched the pack and created opportunities to make up positions. The race ended with fans on their feet and a green, white, checker finish.
F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Team Owner Adrian Wlostowski said, “The track was unbelievably tight in some areas. You had to hit your marks every lap. The record number of cars combined with the heat made it as extremely difficult. You were dancing with the devil every lap — one mistake and your race went straight to hell. We knew going in that qualifying was going to be super important and I got a great lap, and we were fifth on the grid for the race.
“At the drop of the green I lost a couple of positions. I got by one car and was on the move but on lap 10, I missed my braking point. I didn’t hit anything, but I dropped to 18th. The car was fast, and I knew that when the yellows came, I could make up some serious ground – and we did. I got into a rhythm and over the next 15 laps we moved up to 11th..
“The race was very exciting — on one restart we were three wide. I had moved to pass a car, and when I got along side, I looked over and Jordan Bupp was next to me — it was crazy. The more laps we ran the better we got, passing cars where they said you couldn’t pass, and I finished eighth in the end. We had the speed to contend for a top three, but the mistake cost me. A really great race. We were up on the wheel the whole time and I had a gas.
“All in all, it was a fantastic weekend for the F.A.S.T. Auto Racing team. Doug and I had never run a street race and we both loved it. I cannot say enough about my team, the fans, the city of Nashville and the event as whole — just fantastic. It was great sitting in our room watching the race on CBS Sports, an outstanding job by Trans Am, Scott Borchetta and his Big Machine team. We will definitely be back.”
Doug Winston, driver of the No. 98 D&M Electrical Contracting, Howe Racing Enterprises, F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Camaro, said, “Without any doubt, this was the most highly anticipated event of the year, and probably in a long time for Trans Am. We had a record field with 38 cars taking the green, and it was hot — but the event, and the track, exceeded all expectations.
“The streets of Nashville proved to be one of the most unique and challenging courses I’ve ever run, but it was also among the most memorable and fun! While I had some momentum early in the race and managed to gain a few positions, the master cylinder issues that plagued us most of the weekend ultimately forced me to retire. While I was disappointed, the venue and people of Nashville did not. A big congratulations to Trans Am, Scott Borchetta and his Big Machine team for putting on an incredible event.”
The F.A.S.T. Auto Racing team is now focused on Watkins Glenn. “We unloaded from Nashville, prepped the cars and went straight to ‘The Glenn’ to test,” Wlostowski said. “Like Lime Rock Park, it’s a home race for us. We’ve made big progress this season now we need to put it all together on race day. It’s time to put our Hawk Performance, F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Camaro on the podium. I’m ready, the team is ready — we just have to get it done.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS CLARK
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