The checkered flag has waved on the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s 2024 season. After back-to-back races, Chris Dyson won the TA season finale, while Paul Menard claimed his first championship in the class. Brent Crews won his second CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race of the year after just four starts, while Rafa Matos secured his third-career championship.
Kyle Kelley won the Western Championship’s TA2 race, while Michael LaPaglia earned enough points to clinch the title. Sam Correy earned his first-career victory in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge, and Will Rodgers, Josh Carlson and Chris Coffey won in XGT, SGT and GT, respectively.
Notes of interest:
* Paul Menard earned his first-career Trans Am championship.
* Menard made his first-career start in the series in 2002, but this is his first full-time championship effort. He won six races this season.
* Rafa Matos clinched his third-career TA2 championship. He is the first driver in the class to ever win three titles (2018, 2021, 2024).
* Matos won five races this year and is the winningest driver in TA2 with 25 victories.
* Michael LaPaglia clinched his first TA2 Western Championship title.
* Chris Evans is the Western Championship’s XGT champion. He has one previous title in SGT.
* Prior to COTA, Barry Boes was crowned the winner of the TA2 Pro/Am Challenge, Danny Lowry won the XGT championship, Kaylee Bryson clinched SGT’s title, Chris Coffey clinched the GT championship, Steve Goldman won the Western Championship’s TA title, and David Hampton earned the Western Championship’s GT title.
Although he did not finish the season with his fourth consecutive title, Dyson ended 2024 on a high, driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle in the season finale. With a fast No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang, he was consistent throughout the race as the drivers around him faced attrition, claiming his third victory of the year.
Paul Menard (No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang) started the race from the pole and was fast from the time the green flag waved. Unfortunately, after leading the first 15 laps of the race, Menard’s car began to smoke and slow, and he was forced onto pit lane with a spark plug issue.
Thomas Annunziata (No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger) took over the top position and led the next four laps, but Dyson was right on his tail, overtaking Annunziata on lap 21. Annunziata remained in Dyson’s wake after the pass, and the two were only a half-second apart, with Annunziata challenging Dyson every way he could for the next four circuits.
Unfortunately, a mechanical issue brought Annunziata to a halt with just three laps remaining, prompting the caution that would end green-flag competition. With Annunziata stopped on track, Dyson was followed across the finish line by the Drissi Motorsports entries of Don Yount (No. 7 Southwest Funding/Villa Carrera/DM Chevrolet Camaro) and Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Drissi Motorsports/Lucas/Mission Chevrolet Camaro), who battled each other mercilessly throughout the 30-lap event. Annunziata was scored fourth, and fifth was Austin native Gar Robinson in the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro.
“I’ve got to say that these guys over here, they gave me a great car all year,” said Dyson. “We just weren’t able to show enough wins this year, so this feels great to finish this year with a win. I think it carries great momentum through the winter. I’m so happy to have my wife here this weekend with me. The family was with us a lot this year, and it was just really special. And I’m just really proud of the guys; they’ve done an amazing job. Thanks to Mike Lanci on the engines.
“This one’s for Bob Riley; we lost him last week. He gave us an absolute missile rocketship as a parting gift in a really distinguished career. I was absolutely honored to work with him, and I’m really proud to have that car in Victory Lane here today.”
TA Champions
National Championship: Paul Menard
Western Championship: Steve Goldman
TA Top Five:
1. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang
2. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Drissi Motorsports/Lucas/Mission Chevrolet Camaro
3. Don Yount, No. 7 Southwest Funding/Villa Carrera/DM Chevrolet Camaro
4. Thomas Annunziata No. 2 STEEL-IT/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger
5. Gar Robinson, No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro
EMCO Gears Lap Leader:
Paul Menard, No. 3 Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford Mustang
Carson Kvapil in the No. 17 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro started the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race from the pole, but immediately lost his position when the green flag waved. Third-place starter Nathan Herne (No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro) took over the point position, followed by Thomas Merrill (No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang).
Herne controlled the race until lap 11, when 2022 champion Merrill made the pass for the lead, but Herne got back past him on lap 14. When Merrill lost the lead, it cost him momentum, allowing Thomas Annunziata (No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage Funding/Chriswell Ford Mustang) to slide into the runner-up spot, with Merrill moving back to third. By lap 22, Annunziata was able to chase down Herne, taking the lead for the first time. At the same time, Brent Crews entered the hunt for a podium spot, slipping into third. Just two laps later, Crews moved into second and began to pursue Annunziata.
On lap 28, Crews and Annunziata were drag racing for the victory, but at the same time, the yellow flag was waved for an impact in Turn 19. At the time of the caution, Crews had inched ahead of Annunziata, and with the race unable to return to green-flag racing, he was declared the winner. Annunziata was second, followed by Merrill, Herne, and Evan Slater (No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro), who clinched a top-five position on the last lap. With an eighth-place finish, Rafa Matos (No. 60 Concord American Flagpole/Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) claimed his third TA2 championship.
“I want to thank the good Lord above for letting me be here and keeping me safe,” said Crews. “I want to give a huge congratulations to the whole Nitro Motorsports crew, everybody on the No. 60 crew, and Rafa Matos for his championship; that’s super cool, and so is the fact that this team went back-to-back. Nick has made such a great race team these past couple years, and it’s pretty cool to see it evolve from a one-car team to seven cars this weekend.
“Being able to finish one-two between myself and Thomas is pretty sweet. I want to thank everybody at Franklin Road Apparel, Nick Tucker, Joe Claridge, my dad, Shannon, who’s here with us now, and everybody that touches this thing. They did a great job all weekend. Being able to charge through the field like that late is pretty cool, and I’m just happy to be here, happy to get another win, and hopefully I’ll see y’all next year.”
In the Pro/Am Challenge, Sam Correy in the No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang won the race in his very first Trans Am start.
“It’s awesome to be here,” said Correy. “As of two weeks ago, we didn’t know we were going to be in this race, so our first weekend here, the first time in the car, it was really good to get a grip on it. It’s a really fun car; it’s enjoyable. I can’t thank Nitro Motorsports enough, everyone at Trans Am, everyone at CUBE 3. I also want to thank Stilo and Red Line Oil, all the guys that have helped get me here, my mom and my dad. I can’t wait to be back.”
In the Western Championship, Tim Barber in the No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang started from the first position and maintained it for the first 15 laps. However, when trouble struck Barber, it was Kyle Kelley in the No. 80 PK+k Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang who inherited the lead after running second for the first half of the event. JC Meynet (No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro) took over second, and despite early troubles and a spin, championship leader Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) was able to hold on to claim the third position on the podium and capture the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series title. Barber salvaged a fourth-place finish, and Victor Czapla in the No. 88 Cool Boxx Dodge Challenger rounded out the top five.
“It feels pretty great, especially being a little behind in practice and qualifying,” said Kelley. “We just kept throwing stuff at it and went with a setup that nobody else seemed to want to go with, but it worked for us. It worked for our car, and we ended up getting where we needed to be.”
CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Champions
National Championship: Rafa Matos
Pro/Am Challenge: Barry Boes
Western Championship: Michael LaPaglia
CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series National Championship Top Five:
1. Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
2. Thomas Annunziata, No. 90 Bayshore Mortgage Funding/Chriswell Ford Mustang
3. Thomas Merrill, No. 26 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang
4. Nathan Herne, No. 15 F.A.S.T. Auto Racing Chevrolet Camaro
5. Evan Slater, No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro
CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge Top Five:
1. Sam Corry, No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
2. Keith Prociuk, No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang
3. Tom Sheehan, No. 97 Vixen Motorcycles/LTK Insulation Ford Mustang
4. Barry Boes, No. 27 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang
5. Jared Odrick, No. 0 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship Top Five:
1. Kyle Kelley, No. 80 PK+k Properties/UPRacing.com Ford Mustang
2. JC Meynet, No. 28 B-Bar Ranch/Killer Shrimp Chevrolet Camaro
3. Michael LaPaglia, No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang
4. Tim Barber, No. 33 DIG Motorsports Ford Mustang
5. Victor Czapla, No. 88 Cool Boxx Dodge Challenger
Omologato Watches Fastest Lap of the Race:
Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
Bassett Hard Charger:
Adam Andretti, No. 41 Ultimate Headers Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Cool Boxx Coolest Move of the Race:
Bob Accardo Jr., No. 39 Accurate Arms/R.A.C.E. Marketing USA Chevrolet Camaro
Will Rodgers was the class of the XGT class field all weekend in his No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro, dominating on both the National Championship and Western Championship sides as an entrant in both classes. He led every lap and even challenged a number of the TA competitors, finishing the race second overall. Teammate Ken Sutherland (No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger) and team owner Chris Evans (No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang) were also running both classes, and took second and third on the podium, respectively. John Moore (No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang) and Scott Dollahite (No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8) rounded out the top five on the National side.
In the Western Championship, Michael McAleenan (No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO) was able to beat Sutherland, earning second place, with Sutherland finishing third. Evans and Moore were scored fourth and fifth in Western.
“Our race was pretty damn good,” said Rodgers. “This race showed exactly what this Chris Evans Inc. XGT car is that I’ve been very privileged to race over the last two years for Chris Evans, and Jeff Jefferson, and Jerry Pitts. It’s nothing short of a badass car. So, anybody that has any interest, come check it out. This class is seriously going somewhere. I’m very thankful to be here and had a great time.”
XGT Champions
National Championship: Danny Lowry
Western Championship: Chris Evans
XGT Results:
National Championship
1. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro
2. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger
3. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang
4. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang
5. Scott Dollahite, No. 46 Dollahite Racing Audi R8
Western Championship
1. Will Rodgers, No. 12 Chris Evans Inc. Chevrolet Camaro
2. Michael McAleenan, No. 31 Smith Alling PS/Lowe Group Racing Lamborghini GT3 Huracan EVO
3. Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Construction/Wyatt Fire Protection Dodge Challenger
4. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang
5. John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang
Josh Carlson in the No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang dominated in the SGT race, driving from last to first and checking out from his competitors. Starting fourth, Carlson took the point position by the conclusion of the second lap and held the lead until the checkered flag waved, earning his first-career SGT victory. Kaylee Bryson (No. 02 Logical Systems Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette) started second and held the position for the entire race. Lee Saunders (No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper) started the race first but had an issue early on that dropped him back to third. Michael LaPaglia (No. 81 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) finished fourth after mechanical issues forced him to retire early.
“We didn’t really know what to expect for a finish today, considering that we had some gremlins in the car during practice and we only got one qualifying lap,” said Carlson. “We were really happy with how the car was running. I can’t thank my team or my sponsors enough for everything they’ve done for me all season to make this one finally happen for us this year. Thank you to Trans Am for putting on such a great show all year. I really enjoy running here.”
SGT Champion
National Championship: Kaylee Bryson
SGT Results:
1. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/TC Fab/Diercks Ltd. Ford Mustang
2. Kaylee Bryson, No. 02 Logical Systems Inc./Sam Pierce Chevrolet Corvette
3. Lee Saunders, No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper
4. Michael LaPaglia. No. 81 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang
The GT race finished the same way it started, with 2024 champion Chris Coffey (No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4) leading from flag to flag. After challenging Coffey at the start of the race, as well as on the restarts, GT Western Championship title winner David Hampton (No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport) started and finished second, and Colin Cohen in the No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4 finished third.
“Oh, it was incredible,” said Coffey. “ gave me a run right there at the start. It was a long race and I was biting my fingernails at these restarts with him right behind me. But the first person I have to thank up here is Colin . Without Colin, I couldn’t be here. I couldn’t even be at the track right now. So, hats off to him and thank you for everything that you do for me and for keeping me on the racetrack. Morgan, my wife, and my son, Sam, came to support me this weekend. I couldn’t be happier to have them here this weekend. It was picturesque. I mean, just absolute best days of my life right now. It’s awesome.”
GT Champions
National Championship: Chris Coffey
Western Championship: David Hampton
GT Results:
National Championship
1. Chris Coffey, No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4
2. David Hampton, No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport
3. Colin Cohen, No. 38 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4
