Andretti and ECC ready for BIR

July 1, 2015

Adam Andretti and his Engineered Components Company race team is on a roll as the first half of the 2015 Trans Am season closes at Brainerd International Speedway with the Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic.

In Round 5 of the 2015 3-Dimensional Services Chase at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Andretti claimed his 3rd straight pole award and his first win of the season. That sets him second in the points and only 17 behind the class leader, Cameron Lawrence.

"We are sitting in a really good spot. We've got good momentum." said team owner A.J. Henriksen. "We've got a good sweet spot with the Mustang. We aren't spending a lot of time at the track each event changing things on the car to get it right." At New Jersey Henriksen had Adam run some laps in the Camaro that he started the season in and the Mustang that he has been winning poles in qualifying lately. The Camaro was actually a little bit faster, but we ran into a little trouble with that car and chose to run the Mustang. It worked out that was the way to go."

Andretti won the pole for the 3rd straight event. "I think that was his 3rd straight track record too" Henriksen added. In the race Andretti was at or the near the front for most of the race. After a late restart, he settled into a two car battle with Gar Robinson for the win. "Robinson came on strong at the end. Adam was giving it all he had. It was exciting." said Henriksen.

The E.C.C. Motorsports team feels like they are a second half team and are looking forward to the battle ahead. "The second half of the season has Adam's best tracks starting with Mid-Ohio. He has like 25,000 laps there or something. Road America and VIR are great tracks for him and Daytona. We did a SCCA Majors double at NOLA and liked the results. I think we all will be searching at COTA." said Henriksen. "Brainerd is next. Qualifying was rained out last year and Adam was not feeling well during the race. He ran 2nd for most of the race and ended up 3rd. It was a good points day for us and we are looking forward to going back."

Henriksen will again bring both the race winning Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro to Brainerd. "We are going to do again what we did at NJMP. Both cars are well developed and ready to go. They are each a little different and we can choose the car that is the best fit for the track we are race at. Its a nice option to have." said Henriksen.

E.C.C. is also excited to announce the addition of Bob De Kett, a two time TA2 champion crew chief and team leader, who is joining the team. "We lost a couple people from the team we had the last couple of years for this season and adding Robert makes a good team better." said Henriksen.

The Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic lines up for qualifying a little after 2pm on Saturday with a 1:50 pm starting time for the race on Sunday. Live timing and scoring is available at GoTransAm.com.