Crews Declared Road America Trans Am Winner After Menard Penalty
Photo Courtesy: Trans Am presented by Pirelli
Reigning Cube 3 Architecture TA2 champion Brent Crews scored a win in his first career Trans Am presented by Pirelli race at Elkhart Lake’s Road America, Sunday, after apparent winner Paul Menard was penalized 42-seconds for avoidable contact.
Menard, in his No. 3 Menards/MasterForce Tool Ford Mustang, led the final 23-laps of Sunday’s 100-mile race on 4.048-mile circuit enroute to what appeared to be his fourth consecutive series win. But contact with pole sitter Chris Dyson at Turn 8 sent Dyson, the race leader at the time, into a spin. Dyson, a three-time series champion, was able to continue, albeit down in eighth place.
Menard claimed Dyson blocked him and turned into him. “Oh, he blocked me. He threw a block on me in qualifying, too. And he did it again in the race. I just wasn't having any of it. So I got to his door and he turned down on me. So, hate to take him out, but I wouldn't try to take him out. He turned down on me.”
Dyson later retired his No. 16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang with electrical issues.
Photo Courtesy: Trans Am presented by Pirelli
Crews, on the other hand, fought his way towards the front of the TA class field from his eighth place starting position after his No. 2 Mobil-1/STEEL-IT Dodge Challenger experienced engine problems in Saturday’s qualifying session.
“These TA cars [really are the most fun to drive],” said the 16-year-old Crews, a two-time TA2 winner at Road America. “I just want to thank Pancho Weaver and all the guys over at Weaver Racing Concepts for getting this thing back on track. I don't know if everybody knows, but yesterday, we had a whole motor swap. The guys stayed up pretty much all night and then got up super early this morning to get this thing fixed up. So, I'm just happy to be here racing. I had a great time.
“I want to thank my dad for helping me be here; he did a great job spotting today,” added the North Carolina native. “I just want to say thanks to all my sponsors. Thank you to Mobil 1 Racing and STEEL-IT and all the guys that are on that racecar. They did a great job. Thank you to everybody at Toyota Racing for helping me be here. I'm looking forward to the next one.”
Two-time Trans Am champion Amy Ruman, No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Chevrolet Corvette, took third, her second podium finish of the season.
Next up for the Trans Am presented by Pirelli is the Speed Tour All-Star Race at Lime Rock, July 19-20.