Mike Cope Racing Enterprises ends rookie TA2 season in style at Daytona
November 17, 2014
Ron Keith, Kevin Poitras go third and fourth in Championship, 2015 plans already in the works
DAYTONA, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2014) – As the 2014 Trans Am Season concluded at Daytona International Speedway, Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE) closed another chapter in the team’s history in style with drivers Ron Keith and Kevin Poitras finishing third and fourth in the 2014 TA2 Championship—impressive, given 48 drivers competed in the TA2 class this year.
The 2014 Season finale saw the Trans Am Series converge on Daytona International Speedway for Round 11 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship. MCRE brought three drivers to the event: Ron Keith, in the No. 25 Offsite Image Management/Townsend Ford Mustang; Kevin Poitras, in the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro; and Brian LaCroix, in the No. 13 Mike Cope Racing Chevrolet Camaro.
Both Keith and Poitras entered the race in contention for 3rd place in the TA2 Championship point standings, separated only by five points, with Poitras leading entering the race. In the end, Keith would finish fifth, securing third on the year-end podium, but by a slim margin.
Poitras’s 10th place finish kept him in contention for the position and resulted in both drivers finishing the season at 228 points apiece—forcing the result to come down to tie-breakers, decided by victories on the year. Keith’s win at Brainerd International Raceway gave him the difference he needed over his teammate, securing the position and a place in Trans Am history.
“We had a good car,” said Keith. “It was very busy out there, especially at the very beginning and on the restart. We were running three or four wide going into turn one. I was focused on finishing the race and getting that 3rd place in points, so we were running pretty conservatively. There were places we could have gained some spots and I think come out ok. My goal was to finish and come up 3rd in the TA2 Championship, and we were able to do that. It’s been a great year. I’ve learned a lot this year, I’m going home happy, but I’m sure we’re going to have an even better year next year. We’re going to have a great team, and it’s going to be fun.”
Poitras struggled with engine issues throughout much of the race but worked diligently in the infield to maintain a tenth place finish, enough to force the tiebreaker with his teammate.
“It was an excellent race and a great weekend,” said Poitras. “I love the competition that Ron and I had, and I wish I could have run up there with him. We just had engine issues from the get go; it was cutting in and out. I couldn’t do much out on the bowl; but once we got into the infield, I started to make up a little time. I considered bringing it in, but decided to stay out there. We made a decision collectively not to put any money into the car before the event, we’ve got another one in the works for next year, and the whole team worked so hard on it. I know it was upsetting to them to see me getting passed out there, but they’ve done great work all year and I really appreciate it.”
Brian LaCroix put on a strong display of talent, given it was his first-ever appearance on the Daytona track, as he started 11th and finishing 6th.
“It’s been a really good rookie year for us,” said Mike Cope, team owner. “Unfortunately, we ended up having some motors issues for Kevin, he was running on six and a half, maybe seven cylinders, which really hurt his chances of running up front. But to come away with all three cars in the top ten yet again, was a good result. I’m really proud of Brian LaCroix, he’s never driven here before and has only seen it on TV, so to go ahead and bring home a sixth place finish is pretty special. All the cars are still running, in one piece, so we’re going to roll them into the trailer and start looking forward to next year.”
“We’re going to be running four to five cars all year, with three cars joining us full time. Full time we’ll have Tony Buffamonte joining us, Kevin Poitras running as well, and we’re proud to announce that Ron Keith will be returning. And in my mind, that’s going to be a very tough team to beat. I’m putting a lot of faith in these guys and the Ford platform we’re set to convert to, which all of our drivers are going to be running next year.”
MCRE will now begin preparations for the 2015 Trans Am Season with multiple cars under construction as the team switches to an entirely Ford Mustang based TA2 platform.
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.
Brian LaCroix and the No. 13 Mike Cope Racing Chevrolet Camaro
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. Led by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.
