Jorge Diaz, Jr. to lead the way for Trans Am after qualifying washed-out by storms

July 7, 2012

Jorge Diaz, Jr. to lead the way for Trans Am after qualifying washed-out by storms

This is the second straight weekend the Trans Am Series has been a victim of storms, and this time the qualifying session was the victim of the bad weather. The storm, while it passed quickly, left the track thoroughly drenched and, as a result, unsuitable for qualifying.  The session became an unofficial practice instead, with the results not having any weight on placement for the race.  

 
The grid for tomorrows race at Watkins Glen will be determined by combined practice standings.  That leaves Cameron Lawrence at pole for the TA2 class.   This weekend Lawrence assumed Mike Miller’s place in the #11 Ctek Battery Chargers/Motorstate Chevrolet Camaro under the banner of Miller Racing.  Lawrence and Pete Halsmer, driver of the #12 Ctek Battery Chargers/Motorstate Chevrolet Camaro, will have the first and second starting positions for the TA2 division.   
 
Lawrence, the 19-year-old driver, had not had the opportunity to drive the car before this weekend and was not one to gloat.  When asked if he’d thought about his placement for the start of the upcoming race he was his usual humble self:
 
“This weekend so far has been getting used to the car, it really hasn’t set in yet.  Pete and I will be one-two, but everyone is close in times. Still, there’s a decent chance for us to finish well.”
 
Lawrence was also quick to credit the Miller Racing crew:
 
“It’s definitely good stuff, the crew works so hard on the cars to get them ready and as fast as possible. The crew is a bunch or great smart guys.  They’re on top of everything, they can answer anything and are some of the friendliest guys I’ve ever gotten to work with.  It’s a great group.”
 
Kurt Roerhig will round out the top three for the TA2 divison in his Roerhig Enders Suspension Chevrolet Camaro. 
 
In the TA class Jorge Diaz, Jr. will start in front in his #8 Diaz Racing Jaguar XKR, courtesy of a strong showing in the first practice on Friday.  Diaz was enthusiastic about the race and the track:
 
“Watkins Glen is a very difficult track to learn, so on testing we had to do a lot of adjustments, we changed the transmission twice, we adjust the gearings, and everything here is so much different from on paper.  It was a lot of fun getting to know the track. Tomorrow is going to be a very close race, all the times are close.  We’re going to have a lot of fun.  It’s a fun track anyways, but when you ad the number of cars we have on the grid, it’s going to be outstanding.”
 
Following Diaz will be Simon Gregg and Amy Ruman.  The duo have been two of the most competitive and consistent drivers throughout the season.  Gregg, in his #59 Gregg Motorsports Corvette, is currently the series points leader.  Ruman is also coming off a win last weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and is third in points standing.
 
The Trans Am race will kick off Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST, for updates on the race follow @gotransam on twitter, check in at www.gotransam.com, and keep up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam.
 
GoRacingTV.com will provide coverage of the event through vignettes throughout the duration of the race and MAVTV will air the half-hour Trans Am Series weekend recap shows produced and directed by GoRacingTV.com the week following each Trans Am event. The first of three airings will be Sundays at 5:00 pm EDT (2:00 pm PDT). The first encore airing follows on Thursdays at 9:00 pm EDT (6:00 pm PDT), followed by a second encore airing on Fridays at 12:00 am EDT (Thursday, 9:00 pm PDT).
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