Connor Zilisch Sweeps Poles at VIR, Is Fastest in TA2 Qualifying After Winning TA Race

October 7, 2023

Jade Buford to Start on Front Row, Brent Crews Third

ALTON, Va. (October 7, 2023) – Practice and qualifying are complete for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series at VIRginia International Raceway. After earning the Motul Pole Award in TA yesterday and winning the race today in his first-career TA class start, Connor Zilisch backed up his speed by winning the TA2 pole, sweeping the weekend’s qualifying sessions. If he were to win the race tomorrow, he would be the first in Trans Am history to win both of the weekend’s races.

“This sport is a game of momentum, and when stuff starts going well, like it has been for this TA2 program the last five or six races, you build on that,” said Zilisch. “Bottom line is, we’ve had fast cars lately. To come to Silver Hare Racing’s home track, get the TA win and then back that up with a TA2 pole means a lot to me and all the guys as well. They supported me in my TA race, so to come back here to this TA2 car and give them my all in qualifying is important. Hopefully we’ll be able to seal the deal tomorrow, sweep the weekend and close off this home race on a positive note. We’ve got the best starting spot in the house, and all I have to do is execute from here.”

Qualifying:
1. Connor Zilisch, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro (1:48.221)
2. Jade Burford, No. 48 Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers Ford Mustang (149.028)
3. Brent Crews, No. 70 Franklin Road/Mobil 1/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (1:49.079)
4. Thomas Merrill, No. 26 Bennett/HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang (1:49.327)
5. Austin Green, No. 89 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (1:49.517)

Full qualifying results can be found here.

Practice:
1. Connor Zilisch, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing/Carter Bank Chevrolet Camaro (1:48.897)
2. Rafa Matos, No. 88 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (1:49.638)
3. Brent Crews, No. 70 Franklin Road/Mobil 1/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (1:49.727)
4. Thomas Merrill, No. 26 Bennett/HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang (1:50.016)
5. Jade Burford, No. 48 Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers Ford Mustang (1:50.183)

Full practice results can be found here.

The race will be contested tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast LIVE on MAVTV and can be streamed live here.

The re-broadcast of the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series race will air on MAVTV on Thursday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET.