Doug Peterson: The 2013 Trans Am Champion

 

Roughly half way through the season it became apparent that Peterson’s Championship was all but secure, barring catastrophic points attrition; but Peterson did more than simply wait for the numbers game to complete the cycle.  He continued his early season streak of excellence into the second half of the season, never taking a race for granted or showing any signs of complacency, until it could no longer be called a streak of excellence—just pure excellence. 

 

“I learned the consistency from Simon (Gregg) last year,” Peterson said.   “Simon (the 2012 Trans Am Champion) was very methodical and made sure he finished each race, and I decided I could do that as well.  So I brought the throttle back a little bit, and the car has been excellent this year—last year we were sorting out a few things.  Now I just drive at my pace, at a speed I can go without making a mistake, and this is the result.”

 

Luckily for Peterson, that pace has yielded more than simple consistency; it’s produced one victory and podium placement after another. 

 

Peterson’s 2013 season began with a victory at Sebring International Raceway right where he left off at the end of 2012 season ended—with a victory, that time at Road Atlanta.  Peterson’s momentum only continued, he claimed victory at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park shortly thereafter, replicating his results once again.

 

A waterlogged Lime Rock Park saw Peterson finish second to teammate Paul Fix, but Peterson quickly rebounded with consecutive victories at Watkins Glen and Road America—two of Trans Am’s legendary homes.   Mid-Ohio Sports Car course saw Peterson finish second, but Brainerd International Raceway put him once again atop the race results.  He then rattled off yet another podium placement at Virginia International Raceway, boosting his total to eight podiums in eight races for 2013. 

 

Then came the weekend of coronation, all Peterson had to do was take to the track and coast to a 2013 title.  As real Champions often do, Peterson took to the track with every intention of racing for the victory; however a power steering failure quickly saw his podium streak snapped.  After a quick repair in the pits, Peterson took to the track with the same vigor and determination as if he was racing for that lead; and, while when he crossed the checkered flag the race result may not have been what he set out for, he was, and will always be, the 2013 Trans Am Champion.  

 

The title marks the third for Tony Ave Racing in just four years and helps secure the team’s position as one of the finest in the Trans Am paddock. 

 

“We’re very proud of Doug and his team,” Ave said.  “They’ve worked hard all year and have been about as close to perfect as you can get in racing—it’s been a great run.”

 

Peterson will now take to the track at Daytona International Speedway with Trans Am on November 17, 2013, for the NorthStar Battery Ctek Chargers 100; and despite having the Championship in hand, he will once again be racing for the win.