Kevin Poitras takes second at VIR for Mike Cope in Trans Am’s TA2 class
September 29, 2014
Misfortune strikes Buffomante and Keith with three laps to go.
(TEAM RELEASE) ATLON, Va. (Sept. 28, 2014) – When the dust settled, it was Kevin Poitras, from behind the wheel of the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro, who led the podium charge for Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE). Poitras finished second at Virginia International Raceway in Round 10 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship.
However, the spoils had seemed as if they were going to be even greater for the entire MCRE team with only three laps to go.
Tony Buffomante, in the No. 79 Ilmor Powered Chevrolet Camaro, began the race on pole for MCRE in his first event of the 2014 season and first race with MCRE. Ron Keith, in the No. 25 OffSite Image Ford Mustang, started the race in third position while Poitras began in fourth.
Of the 31 laps around the 3.27 mile circuit, Buffomante led 28 of them, setting a track record time with a lap of 1.55.084, keeping at bay defending TA2 Champion Cameron Lawrence and MCRE teammate Ron Keith as well.
Unfortunately for Buffomante, the No. 79 began to experience fuel pickup issues towards the end of the race.
“We were running so well out there,” said Buffomante. “Mike Cope delivered an absolute rocket ship. We built a healthy gap and were able to maintain it, despite the weight penalty for the older body type. We started having fuel issues on the 27th/28th lap but were able to manage them somewhat; then Adam (Andretti) started to close in and the car would lose momentum and then pick it up again. Then it just shot forward, locking up the rear wheels and causing the No. 79 to spin.”
The spin left the No. 79 suspended on track; and when Keith came around the corner in the No. 25, running third, there was simply nowhere to go. The two cars made contact, ending Buffomante’s day, while Keith managed to restart and salvage an eighth place finish.
“I was playing a patient game out there,” said Keith. “We wanted to wait and let the race come to us. I tried keeping up with Cameron and Tony for the first three laps, but that wasn’t going to be the best course of action. So, I backed off and was able to hold that third position; unfortunately just as the car was really coming into its own, we had the incident. It wasn’t anyone’s fault—things like this happen in racing.”
Poitras, however, shot ahead in his teammates’ absence, following Andretti to the finish line only three laps later.
“We were able to manage that position throughout the first half of the race and protect it after the restart, all the time making sure I hit the marks,” said Poitras. “We seemed to be a little underpowered on the straights, so I did my best to make it up in the corners.”
“It’s really unfortunate what happened to Ron and Tony, especially so late in the race, we were looking potentially at a 1-2-3 finish, as Ron and I were both gaining on Andretti. I just wanted to stay consistent throughout the race, and the way it all turned out, it’s a good feeling to finish up on the podium again with a second place finish. “
Kevin Poitras is now third in the 2014 Trans Am Championship with 212 points, while Ron Keith is fourth with 207 points.
“Kevin and Ron are both good friends,” said Mike Cope, team owner. “Better yet, they’ve become friends here, which is what we want to see. We’ll have their cars prepped to the best of our abilities going into Daytona for the finale, and they’ll race, because that’s what competitors do. But I couldn’t be happier for them and their success this year and we’re excited to see where it goes, both at Daytona and in the future.”
While Tony Buffomante will be absent at Daytona, he’s excited to get underway in 2015 with MCRE.
“Throughout the weekend it only became more and more apparent that I made the right choice coming to MCRE,” said Buffomante. “Everything was just as I imagined it; and to be able to get that kind of performance out of the car right away was a great experience. I’m already looking forward to next year.”
MCRE will next take to the track at Daytona International Speedway for Round 11 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship on November 15.
Twitter: @mikecoperacing
www.mikecoperacecars.com
Twitter: @mikecoperacing
www.mikecoperacecars.com
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About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises:
Perhaps no other team has worked so diligently to achieve success over the course of 30 years as MCRE. Over the years, they have successfully launched corporate sponsorships in national series, developed short track and SCCA Road race champions and mentored young upcoming drivers. Lead by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Quarter Master, Hawk Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, Willwood, Port City Racecars, JRI Shocks and ButlerBuilt.
MCRE Driver Partners and Sponsors:
Ron Keith and the No. 25 Offsite Image Management Ford Mustang
Offsite Image Management, www.offsiteimagemgt.com
Offsite Image Management, one of the nation’s leaders in vendor neutral image archiving for critical access hospitals, actually has a great deal in common with the Trans Am race philosophy. Through DICOM technology, Offsite helps hospitals eliminate compatibility and efficiency problems. They offer a vendor neutral, fully accessible solution that allows for immediate patient image sharing to any doctor or hospital, anywhere, anytime.
Townsend Corporation, www.townsendcorporation.com
Headquartered near Indianapolis, in Parker City, Indiana, Townsend has grown five-fold since 1993. With a workforce in over 30 states, Townsend continues to safely deliver results and solutions that address the power industry’s most pressing issues.
Townsend provides a wide range of services, expertise, and innovative technology to its specialized core markets - vegetation management, power line clearance, custom blending and repackaging of herbicides, electric utility line construction, storm-damage relief, and process automation.
Kevin Poitras and the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro
Post Plastics, www.postplastics.com
Post Plastics is an environmental solutions provider specializing in the collection, recovery and redistribution of waste plastics from industrial processes such as manufacturing, fabrication and sign/display replacement.
With the goal of becoming Ontario’s most recognized and trusted brand for full service recycling, Post Plastics’ journey begins with a credible environmental policy that aligns with those of their client-partners.
Post Plastics’ commitment is to be a part of the waste-diversion solution with a working quality management program in place and a management team that understands and embraces its purpose.
Tony Buffomante and the No. 79 Ilmor Powered Chevrolet Camaro
Buffomante Racing Enterprises, www.tonybuffomante.com
Tony Buffomante is a Principal with KPMG LLP's Information Protection Services practice in Chicago, Illinois. He has been racing karts, cars and offshore powerboats for over 25 years. Tony's career highlights include Championships in Star Formula Mazda, the SCCA Runoffs, NASA Super Touring and the Factory Five Challenge Series.
