Rydquist hopes homework will hook Nashville TA2 highlight
August 3, 2022
This Saturday Carl Rydquist makes an anticipated return to the Trans Am presented by Pirelli Series after a planned three race break. Stating “homework has been done” he aims to top his best finish so far in his maiden National TA2 season, 10th out of 44 at Sonoma Raceway. Instead of wheeling the #4 Franklin Road Apparel Camaro the reigning Western TA2 Champion will race the #80 Nitro Motorsports TA2 Mustang around the Music City Grand Prix street course, alongside Road America victor Brent Crews.
Nashville’s Big Machine Vodka Spike Coolers race is the biggest stage of the Trans Am season. For the entire race week Nashville will be buzzing with exciting music events and festivities, including a Thursday night Fan Walk with drivers and racecars on Broadway. The TA2 cars are said to have brought the “New Sound of Nashville”. Fans can experience the visual and audible impact of 41 impressive TA2 machines thundering down the Music City Grand Prix street course, which can best be described as a gauntlet, both Friday and Saturday.
“Outside of the Indy 500, this is the road race of the year to watch, and race. I’m excited to shine a light on OptimalStunt, Alma Knife Company, Nashville’s Lira Real Estate Group and of course to go shopping in person at the Franklin Road Apparel store!”
Rydquist will race with Nitro Motorsports, an energetic group under Nick Tucker’s leadership that has made waves in Trans Am this year. Nitro Motorsports most recently won at Road America with Brent Crews taking the checkered flag in front of a huge NASCAR crowd, and the team has helped many exciting drivers to the Trans Am presented by Pirelli series with a really competitive program.
“Many, myself included, have been watching Nick and Nitro and have become super impressed with what they have done in Trans Am TA2. They have helped boost drivers and their sponsors and Trans Am. I am super excited about this opportunity to race with Nitro Motorsports. Since they field my chassis of choice both last year and this year, the Mike Cope Racing chassis, it worked out as the optimal solution for everyone. I’ll be right at home.”, Carl comments.
“While I will miss the best looking car in the field, things couldn’t be more right than for the boss himself, Ken Thwaits to race his #4 car in his and Franklin Road Apparel’s home race.”, Carl continues. “Ken presented me with my first ride in the National TA2 series and is a pillar in the Trans Am community. He is an incredible inspiration to all of us in the paddocks. Everyone on the stands will be thrilled to see Ken and the gorgeous Franklin Road Apparel Camaros on track.”
The Music City Grand Prix course itself has long fast straights connected by technical corners with limited visibility. The track is generally very tight so a good weekend strategy will be key to success for the teams. The already iconic track presents different and irregular surfaces, rain showers might happen, this can throw any team off initially. Drivers will be hyped, intimidated, confident or all of the above which serves up one of the most eagerly followed races of the year, where nobody can determine who will claim the win until the very last corner of the 100-mile race.
“You have to rely on homework and skills to handle the unexpected and hope for a little bit of luck to make it all the way. It truly will be a very very special race.”, Carl concludes.
Friday hosts practice sessions at 10:15 am and 1:45 pm (schedule may change - stay up to date on gotransam.com).
Saturday hosts two groups for qualifying starting at 9:10 am and the 46 lap, 100 mile race at 12:30 pm local time.
Livestream: www.Youtube.com/TheTransAmSeries
Tickets: https://musiccitygp.com/tickets
Carl Rydquist social media hub www.carlrydquist.com
