(Trans AM Presented by Pirelli)
Ernie Francis Jr. (No. 98 One South Florida Wealth Advisor Ford Mustang) scored a flag-to-flag victory in the season opening Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli at Sebring International Raceway, beginning his quest for a seventh-consecutive Trans Am Series title. Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co. Chevrolet Corvette) was second, and Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro) finished third. Francis led from the pole and managed to pull away on two restarts, with the race ending under the checkered flag due to a late incident. “My team gave me a great car, and it was fast right off the trailer,” said the 22-year-old Francis, who took his 20th overall (and 44th career) Trans Am victory. “We had the pace all the way to win this race. It was awesome for the first race weekend of 2020, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season. My new sponsor – One South Florida Wealth Advisors – was here supporting me all weekend. This was a great event, and now I can’t wait to get to Road Atlanta.” The race featured a pair of charges from the back of the TA grid by Drissi and Chris Dyson (No. 20 CD Racing Plaid Mustang). Drissi experienced transmission troubles in qualifying on Saturday and gridded 11th for the season opener. Launching from the back to a podium finish also earned Drissi the Cool Shirt “Cool Move of the Race” award. Dyson joined Drissi on the back row due to a hard impact hit in Saturday morning practice. After the CD Racing squad labored through the night to be ready to race, Dyson was ready to repay that work with a big result. Passing seven cars on the opening lap, Dyson was quickly up to third. On lap seven, Dyson made a bid for the lead on a restart following a brief caution, going three wide in an attempt to get by Francis and Andretti. Dyson came up short but continued to run in podium position until his day came to an end when he pulled off just past the midway point.
(Trans Am Presented by Pirelli)
Mike Skeen (No. 77 Liqui Moly/Turn 14 Chevrolet Camaro) grabbed the lead following a restart with less than two laps remaining at Sebring International Raceway en route to winning the 2020 TA2® Powered by AEM season-opener. Skeen took the checkered flag 0.489-seconds ahead of Cameron Lawrence in the No. 8 3-Dimensional Services Group Chevrolet Camaro. Rafa Matos (No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro) completed the podium after a last-lap pass.
(Trans Am Presented by Pirelli)
Erich Joiner (No. 10 Championship Coffees and Tool Porsche 911 GT3 R) became the first winner in the new Trans Am XGT class, taking sixth overall. Mark Montour finished second in the No. 27 Montour Ltd Aston Martin Vantage GT3, followed by Ken Thwaits in the No. 5 Franklin Road Apparel Audi Ro GT3 Ultra. (Thank you, as always, to Trans Am Media.)
Ernie Francis Jr. (No. 98 One South Florida Wealth Advisor Ford Mustang) scored a flag-to-flag victory in the season opening Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli at Sebring International Raceway, beginning his quest for a seventh-consecutive Trans Am Series title. Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co. Chevrolet Corvette) was second, and Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro) finished third. Francis led from the pole and managed to pull away on two restarts, with the race ending under the checkered flag due to a late incident. “My team gave me a great car, and it was fast right off the trailer,” said the 22-year-old Francis, who took his 20th overall (and 44th career) Trans Am victory. “We had the pace all the way to win this race. It was awesome for the first race weekend of 2020, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season. My new sponsor – One South Florida Wealth Advisors – was here supporting me all weekend. This was a great event, and now I can’t wait to get to Road Atlanta.” The race featured a pair of charges from the back of the TA grid by Drissi and Chris Dyson (No. 20 CD Racing Plaid Mustang). Drissi experienced transmission troubles in qualifying on Saturday and gridded 11th for the season opener. Launching from the back to a podium finish also earned Drissi the Cool Shirt “Cool Move of the Race” award. Dyson joined Drissi on the back row due to a hard impact hit in Saturday morning practice. After the CD Racing squad labored through the night to be ready to race, Dyson was ready to repay that work with a big result. Passing seven cars on the opening lap, Dyson was quickly up to third. On lap seven, Dyson made a bid for the lead on a restart following a brief caution, going three wide in an attempt to get by Francis and Andretti. Dyson came up short but continued to run in podium position until his day came to an end when he pulled off just past the midway point.
(Trans Am Presented by Pirelli)Mike Skeen (No. 77 Liqui Moly/Turn 14 Chevrolet Camaro) grabbed the lead following a restart with less than two laps remaining at Sebring International Raceway en route to winning the 2020 TA2® Powered by AEM season-opener. Skeen took the checkered flag 0.489-seconds ahead of Cameron Lawrence in the No. 8 3-Dimensional Services Group Chevrolet Camaro. Rafa Matos (No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro) completed the podium after a last-lap pass.
(Trans Am Presented by Pirelli)Erich Joiner (No. 10 Championship Coffees and Tool Porsche 911 GT3 R) became the first winner in the new Trans Am XGT class, taking sixth overall. Mark Montour finished second in the No. 27 Montour Ltd Aston Martin Vantage GT3, followed by Ken Thwaits in the No. 5 Franklin Road Apparel Audi Ro GT3 Ultra. (Thank you, as always, to Trans Am Media.)