On This Day in Trans Am History: May 6, 1995

May 6, 2021

May 6, 1995

Price Cobb, prototype sports car veteran and 1990 overall winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, opened the 1995 Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli season opener at Phoenix International Raceway.

Making his Trans Am debut, Cobb drove the No. 15 Highway Master Chevrolet Camaro owned by Paul Gentilozzi, who was in his No. 5 Camaro. The two cars shared the fourth row on the grid, with Cobb qualifying eighth.

Tommy Kendall was the fastest qualifier, turning a lap of 59.599-seconds in the Jack Roush No. 12 All Sport Body Quencher ford Mustang. Due to the new inversion of the Fast Five, Kendall started fifth, with Dino Crescentini gaining the pole in the No. 93 Autospecialty Camaro.

Crensentini never led a lap, though, crashing after 22 laps and placing last in the 27-car field.

Kendall managed to take the lead from the third row on the opening lap and paced the opening 60 circuits. Cobb got by and led the final seven laps, beating Kendall to the checkered flag by 0.378-seconds.

Boris Said finished third in the No. 4 Tom Gloy Mustang, earning Raybestos Rising Star honors.

TV commentator Brian Till took fourth in the No. 4 RAL Group Camaro, followed by current TA car owner Tony Ave in the No. 65 Carlin Combustion Tech Camaro.

Gentilozzi ran in contention for 60 laps before retiring with gearbox problems.

Cobb went on to run 11 races that season, holding the points lead for two races and was top rookie in seven races. He placed third at Lime Rock in his only other podium finish, and led laps at Portland and Trois Rivieres. This proved to be his only season in Trans Am.

 

Photo: Highway Master team owner Paul Gentilozzi in 1996 action at Road America/Mark Windecker photo