Ben Maier Scores Pole Position and Win for Nitro Motorsports
May 13, 2024
Double podium for Team Nitro
May 13, 2024 – It was a breakthrough weekend for Nitro Motorsports and Ben Maier at the Worldwide Technology Raceway and round four of the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli. Maier earned the pole position on Saturday morning and went on to handily win the Saturday afternoon race as teammate Brent Crews joined him on the podium in second for a one – two finish for the team.
“It was a great weekend for us, and a huge congratulations to Ben on his victory,” expressed Nitro Motorsports’ Nick Tucker. “He has been quick all weekend and all year, and he deserved this win. I am sure there are many more to come.”
After claiming the pole position, Maier was the dominant driver, scoring the fastest race lap in a flag-to-flag victory and earning 110 points for his efforts. Brent Crews, the 2023 TA2 Trans Am Champion, returned to the seat for the first time in 2024 and instantly found pace. Progressing through the practice sessions and getting back up to speed, Crews turned his eighth-place qualifying position into a podium result, crossing the line in P2 for Nitro Motorsports.
Rafa Matos was quick in practice and proved that in qualifying, scoring the second-fastest lap of the session and a front-row lockout for Nitro Motorsports. However, his P2 starting spot turned into a fifth-place finish in a hard-fought battle for the podium's final step. In a run hampered by an official ruling that Matos had jumped the start, the 2024 race winner served a drive-through penalty and went to the tail of the grid before rocketing his way back up to fifth. Matos leaves round four of the 2024 season second in the championship points chase, a mere 13 markers behind the current leader.
Thomas Annunziata had a weekend to forget but still sits third in the points battle. After clocking the fastest lap in practice, a disappointing qualifying effort resulting from an electrical glitch continued in the race as he completed only 51 of a scheduled 57 laps. Annunziata will shift his focus to the next event in a few weeks’ time.
Next up for Nitro Motorsports and the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli will be a trip to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, over the May 24-27 weekend.
For more information on Nitro Motorsports, please visit them online or contact Nick Tucker via email HERE or visit them online at www.RaceNitro.com.