Trans Am Victory Slips Through Dyson's Fingers; Recovers for Second at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
September 1, 2024
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 1, 2024) – With the race seemingly in hand, and just three laps from a second Trans Am by Pirelli series win in seven days, a slight bobble on an increasingly slick racing surface cost Chris Dyson victory Saturday afternoon at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
Dyson and his #16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang shadowed pole-winner Paul Menard by less than a second over the first 80 miles of the 100-mile sprint as the lead duo threaded through heavy traffic on one of the most daunting and fastest roller-coaster circuits in North America . Dyson, who had been running a strategic race, saving his car, got a run on the leader coming onto the circuit’s long back straight and slipped by at the entrance to the next corner, sweeping past at speeds approaching 175 mph.
“I got off the corner just enough better than Paul that lap that I was confident I’d be able to get by,” Dyson said. “Paul knew I was coming and moved a little on me. But he was fair and left me enough room.”
Dyson over the next four laps opened a small but consistent gap on Menard. Then, with three tours remaining the GYM WEED Mustang’s back end stepped out abruptly on the same corner where Dyson had begun his charge to the lead, sliding sideways to a brief halt. Dyson gathered the car up and on the final circuit set the fastest lap of the race on his way to the runner-up position.
“I hadn’t lost focus and I wasn’t overdriving the car,” Dyson said with a shrug. “I knew I had everything in hand. Looking at the data after the race the rear end just stepped out suddenly on entry and just didn't settle mid-corner. The speeds were similar to other laps we were doing and in fact I drove the same corner even harder the next couple laps after the spin as I was going for broke, and the back end didn't step like that. So it's a little confusing. I think we may just hit a small patch of oil or water, or maybe tire pick-up – and the rear grip was getting marginal at that point, anyway. It’s always disappointing to lose a race you should have won.
“The guys gave me a fast race car and I worked hard to get us into the right position. But given the great race Paul and I had, and coming after the fantastic race we had last Sunday at Watkins Glen, it’s not too disappointing. I drove my heart out today and we put on a great show.”
Matos Extends TA2 Point Lead With Win In Canada
The Trans Am series usually runs separate races for the headline TA class and the TA2 class, but this weekend both classes ran in the same event. Two-time class champion Rafa Matos extended his substantial season point lead over second-place class race finisher Thomas Merrill, who had won a week earlier at Watkins Glen.
Matos was so fast, lapping much of the rest of the TA2 field, that he brought his Concord American Ford Mustang under the checkered flag in fourth place overall.
Next Up: VIRginia International Raceway
The Trans Am series takes a month-long break before reconvening at VIR October 3-6 for the second to the last race of the season. Dyson won from the pole at VIR in 2021 on his way to his first rans Am championship. He also won the pole there in 2022 and 2019
For more on Chris Dyson Racing.
CTMP Rebroadcast Schedule
In addition to the livestream, 60-minute feature produced by Greenlight TV will be broadcast the following Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET to MAVTV’s 22 million North American linear households and 175 million connected devices.
Additional Broadcast Coverage On MAVTV
In addition to the livestream, highlights of the race will be broadcast the following Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET to MAVTV’s 22 million North American linear households and 175 million connected devices.
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