Dyson Takes Pole for Trans Am Memorial Day Classic
Lakeville, Conn. (27 May, 2019) – It’s been nearly 20 years since Chris Dyson raced around the traditional Lime Rock Park configuration, but the hometown driver wheeled the 1.53-mile course effortlessly on Monday, laying down the fastest lap early in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli qualifying session to take pole position for the TA class. With a time of :50.262 in the No. 20 Plaid Ford Mustang, Dyson set a modern- day Trans Am qualifying record.
“This place is all about momentum and flow, it’s the closest road course to an oval that we can get,” said Dyson. “The Plaid Ford Mustang has been quick from the get-go, really giving me confidence leading into the race. There’s no better spot to start the race in front of all my family and friends who came out to support me.”
Dyson almost missed out on the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic. Following an incident during the Hoosier 100 in Indianapolis on Thursday, Dyson suffered an injury that forced him to withdraw from the Silver Crown Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway on Friday. However, with a bit of rest and determination, the doctor cleared Dyson for his return to Lime Rock Park.
“I am sore but considerably better than what I was Friday morning and I’ve made a big step since Saturday’s testing and practice,” explained Dyson, who was fastest in testing and practice on Saturday. “I am quite a bit better with adrenaline, the support from my family and friends being here and having a fast race car has really helped me forget about any pain.”
Only separated by .047 of a second, Ernie Francis Jr. and Josh Hurley rounded out the top-three times to start second and third in Monday’s 100-mile feature race. In a last- minute substitution on Monday, Hurley replaced Jim McAleese in the No. 3 McAleese and Associates Chevrolet Camaro. McAleese tested and practiced on Saturday, but fell ill and was unable to participate in Round 4.
“It’s always a good day when you come away from qualifying feeling disappointed about finishing third,” said Hurley. “We had some transponder issues early on so my fastest times weren’t recorded. I really think we could have taken pole, but we are going to make some slight adjustments to the car to show these boys what’s up in the race. I love these cars and I’m happy to be here.”
Championship contender Tomy Drissi in the No. 8 Godzilla May 31 / Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro will start in the third row and Paul Fix in the No. 4 Ave Motorsports Ford Mustang will try to keep his Lime Rock Park winning streak alive, starting from Row 3. Driving the No. 46 Beverage Flavors International / Porsche 991 GT3 Cup car Mark Boden claimed pole in the SGT class and Steven Davison in the No. 22 Davinci Plastic Surgery / Aston Martin Vantage was the pole winner for the GT division.
The 100-mile or 65 minute (whichever comes first) TA, SGT, GT feature starts today at 1:25 p.m. ET. For full results and live timing and scoring, visit www.gotransam.com.
Sources: GoTransAm.com