Fix Edges Lally in TA Class Practice at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, NY. [September 8, 2017] – Paul Fix topped the TA class charts as the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli's TA, TA3 and TA4 class competitors took to the 3.4-mile course at Watkins Glen International (WGI) for their first, and only, practice session of the weekend.  Fix was followed in the TA class by Andy Lally, making his Trans Am debut, with two hundredths of a second separating the two drivers; while Tim Kezman and Brian Kleeman set fast laps for the TA3 and TA4 classes, respectively.  

Making his first Trans Am appearance since the 2016 Trans Am finale at Daytona International Speedway, Paul Fix, in the No. 4 StopFlex/Classic Tube/Car Coach Chevrolet Corvette, would set a 1:50.096 lap— well below his own qualifying track record set last year, a 1:51.725.   Fix finished second in both the 2016 and 2015 Trans Am championships and has 11 career Trans Am wins and 13 poles in 62 starts.  

Lally, driving for Burtin Raciing in the No. 50 GoShare/ Axalta Chevrolet Camaro, was just behind Fix with a 1:50.116 lap of his own in his first official Trans Am action.  

Lally was followed by current points runner-up Vinnie Allegretta, in the No. 41 TA Sights & Sounds Chevrolet Corvette, with a time of 1:50.512; however, the No. 41 would suffer a brake failure forcing Allegretta to roll to avoid a head-on collision—putting the session under red flag conditions.  Allegretta left the car under his own power and was released by medical shortly thereafter.  

The TA class top five also included Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, and current points leader Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 98 Breathless Pro Racing/ Beta Tools Ford Mustang, with times of 1:51.126 and 1:51.510, respectively.  Rounding out the TA class top ten were, in order, Chris Dyson, Amy Ruman, Jim McAleese, Kerry Hitt and Blaise Csida.