CROSSED FLAGS: Western Championship 2023 Mid-Season Points Update
July 20, 2023
With four races in the books, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship has officially hit the halfway point in the season. This weekend’s doubleheader will be crucial to the championship hunt, as the two races will award a quarter of the points available this season. While things may change dramatically after this weekend, here is an update on how we’ve gotten to where we are today.
Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series
The Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series has been the most competitive class in the Western Championship. Greg Tolson (No. 38 GT Auto Lounge Chevrolet Camaro) currently leads the point standings on the strength of two wins (Thunderhill Raceway Park and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca). The always-fast Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto Ford Mustang) is 12 points behind with consistent results, earning a best finish of third at Laguna Seca. After missing the first race of the season, Brody Goble (No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford/Cortex Performance Ford Mustang) has made a remarkable recovery with two poles and three-consecutive podium finishes, including a victory at Ridge Motorsports Park. He currently sits third in points, 20 points behind second. Michael Fine in the No. 66 Architectural Glass Systems Chevrolet Camaro is eight points behind Goble after a best finish of second in the Thunderhill season opener. Ricky Leigh (No. 09 1909 Gastropub Temecula, CA Chevrolet Camaro) rounds out the top five, with a best finish of second at The Ridge in the series’ most recent event.
1. Greg Tolson (342)
2. Michael LaPaglia (330)
3. Brody Goble (310)
4. Michael Fine (302)
5. Ricky Leigh (281)
TA
Steve Goldman (No. 13 LIG Racing Corvette) currently leads the TA standings, finishing first in the season opener at Thunderhill and second at Sonoma. Greg Pickett (No. 6 GYM WEED/Pickett Racing Ford Mustang) is second following his sole start at Sonoma Raceway.
1. Steve Goldman (105)
2. Greg Pickett (60)
XGT
Newcomer Will Rodgers in the No. 42 Central Welding Supply Chevrolet Camaro currently leads the XGT standings after an explosive series debut, winning both the pole and the race in his first-career Trans Am races at Sonoma Raceway and Laguna Seca. His team owner and 2022 SGT champion Chris Evans (No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang) is second with two podiums. Erich Joiner (No. 10 goodboybob Coffee Roasters/Tool Porsche 991 GT3 R) is third with a second-place finish at Laguna Seca.
1. Will Rodgers (130)
2. Chris Evans (112)
3. Erich Joiner (63)
SGT
Only one competitor has competed in the SGT class so far this season. Rudy Revak (No. 60 Xyngular Ford Mustang) made his first start of 2023 at The Ridge, earning the win in the class.
1. Rudy Revak (50)
GT
GT has been strong in 2023, with the class seeing its highest number of entrants ever at Ridge Motorsports Park. JC Meynet in the No. 28 Killer Shrimp Racing Corvette leads the points after earning the pole and the win in the first three events of the season. David Hampton (No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 CS) is second with three podium finishes, including one victory from the pole at The Ridge. With only one start each this season, Larry Luck (No. 16 Luck Services BMW M3), Martin Sarukhanyan (No. 11 Cobalt Brakes Mazda Miata) and Xuanqian Wang (No. 22 AURALIC North America McLaren 570S GT4) are third through fifth, respectively.
1. JC Meynet (272)
2. David Hampton (218)
3. Larry Luck (82)
4. Martin Sarukhanyan (73)
5. Xuanqian Wang (59)
Complete Standings: View
