Lopez and Marcelli claim victories in Dual 1 of Motor City 100
June 4, 2016
Dean Martin captures flag-to-flag victory in TA4
DETROIT, Mich. [June 4, 2016] – RJ Lopez and the No. 06 Optica Lopez/Republica Brewing Chevrolet Corvette emerged the overall, and TA class, victors in Dual 1 of the Motor City 100, presented by 3-Dimensional Services Group, after a race-long battle with pole sitter Paul Fix, driver of the No. 50 StopFlex.com /TheCarCoach.com/ChevronTechron Chevrolet Corvette, who finished second.
Lopez was joined in the victory celebrations by TA2 class winner Kyle Marcelli, in the No. 96 MBRP Performance Exhaust Chevrolet Camaro, and TA4 victor Dean Martin, driver of the No. 52 Picture Cars East Ford Mustang, as the Trans Am Series made its return to Detroit in the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix—its first appearance in the Motor City since 2001.
“It was an incredible race, because of the competition, because of how fast Paul was, and because we were going bumper to bumper,” said Lopez. “But also because of the track. It’s not easy, which makes it awesome especially when winning here means that much more, being in Detroit. I’m sure it was an amazing race to watch. It was really cool because there were certain places where my car seemed like it was better than Paul’s, and there were places where he was definitely better than I was. It made it really interesting, I’m really proud of this win.”
Lopez began the race in second position locked nose-to-tail with Fix through the five laps before overtaking the No. 50 for the lead. Still the battle continued throughout the entirety of the race, interrupted only by a full-course caution from laps 10 to 18, with the two Corvettes crossing the finish line within mere inches of each other.
“Managing the bumps was a challenge,” said Fix. “As RJ said, it was not an easy track and there are only a few places with good passing opportunities. Traffic wasn’t much of an issue; but if we’d gone green all the way, it would have been, I think, even more interesting to see the outcome. It was a fantastic race; I’m glad to be here in Detroit, in Motor City, celebrating Trans Am’s 50th anniversary, it couldn’t be better— and we’ll do it again tomorrow, but next I want to finish on top!”
Joining Lopez and Fix on the podium was John Baucom, driver of the No. 86 RoadRaceParts.com/ Baucom Motorsports Ford Mustang. Baucom, who started third, was able to hold the position for the entirety of the race despite challenges from Amy Ruman, in the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, and Greg Pickett, in the No. 68 Picket Racing Jaguar XKR.
Ruman would finish fourth while Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, would finish fifth.
In TA2 Kyle Marcelli completed a rollercoaster 24-hours with a first place finish in the TA2 class after beginning the race last in the eight-car TA2 field, the consequence of having his pole-setting lap disqualified after post-qualifying tech. Still, Marcelli, who is also racing in the IMSA Weathertech Sports Car Championship this weekend, managed to make his way to the front of the field while capitalizing on opportunities as they presented themselves.
“Wow, what a past 24 hours it’s been—pretty crazy for us— winning the poll, and finding out that we had a technicality and losing that poll position.,” said team owner Chris Liesfeld, filling in for Marcelli. “We were so happy at first, and then it looked like we were at a funeral, but right now we’re on top again. Kyle really did an excellent job, and the team did well to turn this around for us.”
The TA2 race proved tumultuous with the front of the field very much in a state of flux. Adam Andretti, who started on pole and led 24 of 27 laps from behind the wheel of the No. 44 ECC/Anchor Bolt and Screw Dodge Challenger, carrying the lead despite significant tire rub from lap 10 after the No. 44 was contacted by a soon-to-be lapped TA car.
While Andretti managed to escape the incident, both Cameron Lawrence, who started second in the No. 11 TI Automotive Dodge Challenger, and Louis-Philippe Montour, in the No. 77 SpeedLogix/Montour Limited Dodge Challenger, were delayed with Montour taking significant body damage. Marcelli was able to avoid contact and move up to second while rookie driver Marc Miller, in the No. 12 SpeedLogix Dodge Challenger, capitalized to take third.
After the ensuing yellow and escaping lapped traffic on the restart, Andretti’s front left tire finally succumbed on lap 24 just three laps short of the checkered flag, leaving Marcelli a clear path to victory, completing his last-to-first journey. Cameron Lawrence was challenging for the lead in second but was collected by an additional TA class car with a single lap remaining, delaying him once more.
Marc Miller would capture second in TA2 in his first Trans Am appearance, while Lawrence recovered once more to secure a third place finish. AJ Henricksen, in the No. 47 ECC Anchor Bolt & Screw Chevrolet Camaro, would capture fourth, while Tom Sheehan, in the No. 97 LTK Insulation Technologies Chevrolet Camaro, finished fifth in TA2.
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Dean Martin, a local driver out of Westland, Mich., led the entirety of the TA4 race but was still faced with the challenge of navigating a multiclass mixed restart and the efforts of Brain Kleeman, in the No. 07 DWW Motorsports Ford Mustang.
“That restart was nuts, the guys up front probably didn’t see how crazy it was, but we had all three classes get intermixed,” said Martin. “The back of the TA4 field got caught in the front of the field… it created mayhem going into turn 7. At the end Brian was really, really aggressive for two to three laps; and I often say that I had to drive with both elbows up and out the windows to keep him behind me. I managed to get past a couple of the slower cars and he wasn’t fading away, so I just had to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes after I had that little bit of breathing room.”
Kleeman would finish second with Todd Napieralski, in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance Camaro, finishing third. The TA4 top five was completed by Chuck Cassaro, in the No. 76 KohR Motorsports Ford Mustang, and Craig Capaldi, in the No. 8 Wolverine Bronze Ford Performance Ford Mustang, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Fast laps for the race were turned by John Baucom in TA2, a 1:32.990; Kyle Marcelli in TA2, a 1:37.617; and Ernie Francis, Jr, in TA4, a 1:41.301 in the No. 98 BetaTools/Liquid Performance Chevrolet Camaro.
The finishing order of today’s race will determine the order of tomorrow’s Dual 2, to be held at 11:40 AM EST, as the Trans Am Series completes the Motor City 100, presented by 3-Dimensional Services, a part of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
Fans can keep up with the Trans Am Series throughout the weekend at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.
Motor City 100 Event Schedule:
Sunday, June 5, 2016
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Trans Am Driver Autograph Session
11:40 AM - 12:30 PM 3-Dimensional Services Group Motor City 100 - Dual 2
ALL TIMES EST
Dual 1 - Motor City 100, presented by 3-Dimensional Services Group - Provisional Results
All results provisional until posted final.
About 3-Dimensional Services Group:
The 3-Dimensional Services Group is a global leader in rapid manufacturing incorporating full-service prototype, low-volume production and assembly. The companies utilize state-of-the-art technology to provide flexible manufacturing solutions to its customers with a unique approach to tooling and design validation without compromising quality, all to meet the demands of today’s compressed timing. The companies’ capabilities include rapid prototyping of solid models; state-of-the-art fiber laser technology to cut, weld, drill and surface treat; robotic lasers for fabricating; waterjet cutting; high-speed CNC machining centers for power, speed and accuracy; stamping, forming and injection molding presses as well as a pattern and model shop.??
About The Trans Am Series:
The Trans Am Series, America’s Road Racing Series, began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing. Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing, through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), through a five-year agreement in which TARC oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides operations services to the Series.
Defending Champions include: Amy Ruman (TA), Gar Robinson (TA2), Ernie Francis, Jr., (TA3 American Muscle) and Lee Saunders (TA3 International).
