The Ford Mustang road racers brought home exciting results in the final race of the 2024 Pirelli Trans Am Series season at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas on November 4th, 2024. Paul Menard cruised to the championship in the No. 3 Mustang, while Rafa Matos wheeled his No. 60 Mustang to the TA2 Series championship for the third time, and Brent Crews put his No. 70 Mustang in the right place at just the right time to win the win the TA2 Series race.
“Just an honor to be a Trans Am Champion.”
Paul Menard has claimed the title of 2024 TA Champion! pic.twitter.com/AmM8BMD4NN
— MAVTV (@MAVTV) November 3, 2024
According to the race report from GoTransAm.com, Menard started the TA Series race from the pole position, and his race car was blisteringly fast – at least, until it went nuclear after leading the first 15 laps. Smoke began to show from his race car, and he was forced onto Pit Road to address an apparent mechanical issue.
Menard’s issue allowed Chris Dyson, driver of the No. 16 Ford Mustang, to take over the lead. He showed the way until the checkers dropped, outrunning Thomas Annunziata, whose No. 2 Dodge Challenger slowed with a mechanical issue late in the race.
“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.”
Menard, who retired from the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of 2019, claimed the overall TA Series Championship and is recognized as the driver with the most laps led this season.
What a weekend! What a Season!
Brent Crews WINS TA2, with Thomas Annunziata joining him on the podium in second. Sam Corry WINS Pro/Am. Rafa Matos WINS TA2 Championship. Brent Crews earns the Fastest Lap of the Race!#Nitro / #NitroMotorsports / #RaceNitro / @GoTransAm pic.twitter.com/9EL5X0Z8jm
— Nitro Motorsports (@racewithnitro) November 3, 2024
In TA2, Crews outran Annunziata, competing this time in the No. 90 Mustang. Crews and Annunziata raced side-by-side for several lap, and Crews got the advantage, but then the yellow flag waved for an incident in Turn 19, ending the race on Lap 28. Crews was credited with the victory.
“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.”
Josh Carlson in the No. 36 Ford Mustang dominated in the SGT division race, winning after starting dead last due to mechanical issues that his team worked quickly to resolve.
Comment
It would be nice to see the best young, clean drivers move up to TA1. And a tube chassis/solid rear axle, awd sedan body class created for the older drivers. Then GT cars. Get Loud!