The racing renaissance continues: Trans Am returns to Mid-Ohio in full force

 

For far too long, those statements and their like were true—but no longer.  Apply whatever metaphor you find appropriate: a rising phoenix emerging from decade old ashes, the tide turning against a racing world that struggles for organic growth or the countless others that could be deemed applicable.  It does not matter—the truth is now on display and will be out for all to see at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.  

 

With the transition year of 2012 now firmly behind it, Trans Am has seen 2013 become a year of growth and a return to racing of the caliber that is desired and nearly demanded of Trans Am.   38 entries have confirmed; the Trans Am Series will be just one off Trans Am’s all-time high at Mid-Ohio in 1990—two off the record of a series at the height of its powers on one of the great courses in North America.  Very little reading between the lines is required, but since it still needs to be said—Trans Am is back. 

 

With all three classes, TA, TA2 and TA3 in full swing, Trans Am has put together classes that actually matter and relate to drivers and fans.  From the awe of the 800-plus horsepower monstrosities in the TA class, to the all-American thrill of competition in TA2, to the purity of production racing in TA3, every class in Trans Am is growing—powered by drivers and team owners who see success as a necessity, not just an option. 

 

In the months leading up to the Ohio race, sponsored by 3Dimensional.com, drivers have been able to rest and repair in preparation for the second half of the season—ready to put on a show, side-by-side with NASCAR Nationwide.  None more than Doug Peterson and Cameron Lawrence, who lead the point standings for the TA and TA2 classes, respectively. 

 

Peterson has been largely dominant in the TA class this year, with the #87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette being put through its paces en route to four first-place victories under Tony Ave Racing.  

 

But Mid-Ohio was not overly kind to the current point-leader last year, as he was sidelined with a mechanical failure only seven laps in—leaving eventual TA Champion Simon Gregg and Ohio-native Amy Ruman to battle for first place, a battle Gregg eventually won on what was his 100th career start. 

 

It is fair to expect both Gregg and Ruman to join Peterson towards the front of the pack at Mid-Ohio.  Ruman and the #23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette are based out of Kent, Ohio, and consider the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course their home track.  While Ruman’s season hasn’t gone completely as planned, if there is anywhere that could prompt a win streak for the Ohio based team, it is at Mid-Ohio. 

 

“My crew worked day in and day out during the first half of the season,” Ruman said.  “You always want to reward them for all they do.  We’ve been on the receiving end of some contact this season—and that’s frustrating at times.  But the season isn’t over yet, so don’t count us out, we’re focused on turning this around.  I’m on a mission, and being at Mid-Ohio with hometown fans is a great place to start fresh.”

 

Simon Gregg is a different story.  He’s brought the consistency behind the wheel of the #1 Gregg Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette that won him a Championship in 2012 into play again this year with three podium placements, second only to Peterson. But to overcome Peterson’s point lead and keep the Championship in his corner, Gregg will have to step up that consistency.

 

“I do feel some pressure as defending champ; it can be tough to maintain my edge and keep racing at a high level—nothing is easy.  But this is what racers do.” Gregg said.  “I’m always motivated to do my best, to drive the car to its maximum potential, to make the team proud and to follow in my father’s (Peter Gregg’s) footsteps.”

 

Gregg did just that, last year, claiming victory at the Ohio-based track, a victory that would help propel him towards that elusive championship, joining his father as a Trans Am Champion. 

 

But there are plenty of other dark horses in the TA class for Mid-Ohio, Cliff Ebben has been quietly consistent behind the wheel of the #36 Stumpf Ford/McMahon Group Ford Mustang and is third in the point standings.  David Pintaric has knocked on the door time and time again, narrowly missing the podium on several occasions and took pole position at Watkins Glen this year.  It stands to reason that Pintaric, an Ohio native, is more that capable of a run at the podium or a victory at what is also his home track.  

 

Finally, the entry list includes Peterson’s teammate and a former two-time TA Champion, Tony Ave in the #4 Lamers/PMEEngines/RPX Chevrolet Corvette.  Anytime that Ave gets behind the wheel of a car, he’s a threat to win the race—and while he has sat out most of the 2013 Season to manage Tony Ave Racing, it would be foolish to think that any rust accumulated for one of the most decorated drivers in Trans Am history.  

 

The 2013 TA2 season has been a coming out party of sorts for Cameron Lawrence, who showed flashes of greatness in 2012 but has now come to exude it in 2013 with three victories and two second place finishes in the five races of the 2013 season this year. 

 

“We’ve been extreamely lucky so far this season.” Lawrence said. “We’ve had a few close calls that could have changed our results completely, but we work so well together as a team.  Motorsports and racing requires a team effort, not just a driver.  Everyone works hard on and off the track to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible during the race weekend.  The cars took some getting used to last year, but we have the bugs worked out now and everything is going well.”

 

Since joining Miller Racing, Lawrence has joined teammate Pete Halsmer as a fixture on the TA2 podium.  The 20-year-old phenomenon and the veteran encompass a team that spans generations but still mirror each other in attitude and dedication to the sport and to the craft of road racing. 

 

Opposite Miller Racing is the other dominate TA2 team, Wheels America Racing, led by two time-defending TA2 Champion Bob Stretch and the #98 Wheels America Chevrolet Camaro.  Stretch won last year at Mid-Ohio, setting a track record on his way to an impressive victory.  Joining him will be a new addition to the Wheels America Racing, James Winslow in the #99 Wheels America/FixRim.com Chevrolet Camaro.  

 

Winslow will make his first ever Trans Am appearance at Mid-Ohio after a long history in racing that has seen him compete in Indy Lights, Australian V8 Supercars, Asian F3 and Australian F3—where he is the most decorated driver in the series’ history. 

 

“I’m very excited to join the Trans Am Series and to drive these exciting TA2 cars,” Winslow said.  “Bob Stretch is a proven winner and champion, and I’m very glad to have his expertise and assistance for my first ever Trans Am race.  The TA2 class is growing quickly, and it’s the perfect place to showcase my talents in front of all the important teams and fans.  Wheels America Racing was a championship team in 2011 and 2012—I felt joining them was my best chance for success.” 

 

The duo of Stretch and Winslow could prove to be a foil to the Miller Racing team of Halsmer and Lawrence, as the two teams continue to vie for points in pursuit of a Trans Am Championship. 

 

Also joining the TA2 action will be rookie Robert Huffmaster, Gregg Rodgers, Tom West and Adam Andretti amongst others.  Joe Ebben and Ron Keith will also be in attendance, making their first TA2 and Trans Am appearances. 

 

TA3 will feature a field flush with Ford Mustangs in the American Muscle Group, each ready to challenge defending TA3 Champion Chuck Cassaro and the #76 Cassaro Enterprises/StackData/Aeromotive/Metallica Ford Mustang.

 

Key amongst them is Rob Bodle driver of the #16 Carribean Food Delights/Nationwide Insurance Lee Hoffman Ford Mustang, a rookie to the TA3 class, who currently sits second to Cassaro in the points.  Not only has Bodle performed on the track, but he’s also been eager to promote and recruit drivers to the TA3 class.

 

“I’m having a lot of fun with Trans Am this year,”  Bodle said.  “There are plenty of really talented Mustang, Camaro and Challenger racers in the club ranks that would put on a great race at the pro level—Trans Am is a Series that allows people to make the financial jump without cutting back on the quality of a professional series.  Trans Am is the most famous American road race series in history, the schedule is arguably the best in professional road racing—it doesn’t take a lot of arm twisting to get drivers to join in.”

 

With the stage set for Trans Am at Mid-Ohio on Saturday, August 17, Trans Am is ready for the spotlight.  The Trans Am Series will first take to the track on August 16 for practice at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. EST, with qualifying following at 3:45 p.m.  The 101.65 mile Trans Am race will take place at 12:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, August 17 as Trans Am turns yet another page in its long and storied history.  

 

Keep up with all the action on www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and through Twitter at @gotransam.