Lime Rock Memorial Day Classic preview

TRACK FACTS:

-        Opened in 1957

-        Length: 1.478 Miles

-        Layout: 7-Turn Road Course

-        Location: Lakeville, Connecticut

BROADCAST:

-        RacingAmerica.TV

-        Racing America 24/7 Channel

-        @TheTransAmSeries on YouTube

FORMER LIME ROCK WINNERS ENTERED:

 (3) Chris Dyson, 2019-2021-2022 TA
 (3) Thomas Merrill, 2019-2022-2023 TA2
 (2) Paul Menard, 2024-2025 TA
 (2) Erich Joiner, 2021-2025 XGT
 (2) Keith Prociuk, 2024-2025 TA2 P/A
 (1) Sam Corry, 2025 TA2
 (1) Maciej Tuniewicz, 2025 GT
 (1) Rafa Matos, 2024 TA2
 (1) Michael Saia, 2023 GT
 (1) Billy Griffin, 2022 GT
 (1) Simon Gregg, 2012 TA

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The storied history of Trans Am and Lime Rock Park

The Trans-American Sedan Series first raced at Lime Rock Park (LRP) on Memorial Day Weekend 1967 and continued to compete there for many years after. To the delight of drivers and fans, the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli traditions at LRP were renewed in 2019, and this year, the series celebrates its 60th Anniversary Season with the iconic Memorial Day Classic on the schedule.

The inaugural Trans Am event at Lime Rock Park took place on May 30, 1967, the same weekend as the Indianapolis 500. While Dan Gurney and Parnelli Jones competed in Indianapolis, Bud Moore substituted Peter Revson and Ed Leslie and continued to win. Revson drove Gurney’s Cougar to a two-lap victory over Mark Donohue’s Camaro and Jerry Titus’s Mustang.

Lime Rock’s twisty racecourse favored small cars, and this race was no exception. Donohue and Titus finished just ahead of Horst Kwech’s Alfa Romeo GTA, which won the U-2 Class. Right behind Kwech, was Ed Leslie in Parnelli’s Cougar. Only 18 out of 30 cars finished the race: 11 O-2 and 7 U-2.

Welcome to Trans Am, Kevin Harvick, Inc.

The CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series welcomes Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) to the series, beginning with this weekend’s Trans Am Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park. Landen Lewis, a part-timer in the NASCAR Truck Series, will pilot the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro in what will be a debut showing for both driver and team. A former NASCAR National Series operation, KHI was revamped in 2023 to compete in the CARS Tour, and since reopening, has continued to expand its reach.

Can Helio Meza be stopped?

At 18 years old, Helio Meza is one of Chevrolet’s top up and coming stars, and throughout the season in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, he has been the talk of the paddock. Meza, driving for Team SLR, has helped the team stay dominant by winning every single event in 2026. In fact, Meza has NEVER lost a CUBE 3 TA2 Series event in five prior starts. Lime Rock Park is another new venue for Meza; will this finally be the one that stumps him (or even just results in a second-place finish?)

Jared Odrick Continues to Dominate PRO-AM Class

Jared Odrick may come from the National Football League (NFL), but he’s got a knack for motorsports, too. The Lebanon, Pennsylvania-native has been nearly unstoppable in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series PRO-AM Challenge in 2026, winning three of the four events. However, last time out at Sonoma Raceway was one of his greatest triumphs, beating his class by a wide margin and finishing seventh overall – matching the second-best overall finish of his career. Can Odrick find himself at the head of the PRO-AM field again at Lime Rock?

Chris Dyson returns to competition

Chris Dyson, owner of Chris Dyson Racing and part-timer in the Trans Am Series by Pirelli is returning to driving duties for the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park, a racetrack he’s won three times before. Dyson will drive the No. 20 RACER / Gym Soda Ford Mustang. Originally, the 29-time Trans Am winner was scheduled to return for the doubleheader weekend at Sonoma Raceway, but at the last minute, he made a call to Rafa Matos to take over the Chris Dyson Racing No. 20.

Paul Menard Vs. Matthew Brabham

It’s been the season-long battle in the TA Class that has been highly entertaining with Paul Menard (No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints / Menards Ford Mustang) and Matthew Brabham (No. 16 Gymweed Ford Mustang) dueling it out each race, but Brabham and Chris Dyson Racing have come out on top every time. At Lime Rock Park, though, Menard and Brabham will have to deal with Chris Dyson, who owns Brabham’s No. 16. Menard has won the TA Class the last two seasons at the 7-turn road course. Can he make it three straight?

ARCA Points Leader Jake Bollman Returns to Trans Am

Jake Bollman, who leads the ARCA Menards Series point standings after six of 20 races, is set to make his second career start in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series at Lime Rock Park. Bollman will drive the No. 90 Toyota Camry XSE for Nitro Motorsports – the organization he competes for in ARCA. The on-track time will surely aid Bollman when ARCA returns to Lime Rock Park later this season. Bollman debuted with Silver Hare Racing at Barber Motorsports Park in 2025, finishing 10th.

Former Trans Am Winner Ben Maier returns to series at Lime Rock

Former CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race-winner Ben Maier is returning to the series for the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park, teaming up with Team SLR-M1 Racecars for the event. The Chester, Maryland-native is a part-time driver in the NASCAR Truck Series and is the defending CARS Tour Pro Late Model champion. Maier will look to do what everybody in the CUBE 3 TA2 Series has been doing in 2026: chase down Helio Meza.

Former Lime Rock Winners Joiner, Saia, Tuniewicz back for more

The entry list for this weekend’s Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock is filled to the brim with drivers who have stood on the top step of the Trans Am podium at the Lakeville, Connecticut road course. Erich Joiner (No. 10 Good Boy Bob Coffee Porsche GT3R) is a two-time XGT Class winner at Lime Rock in 2021 and 2025, while Michael Saia (No. 13 KMC / Motul / Rabid Wraps / Rapid Performance Porsche 997.1 GT3 Cup) is a winner in the GT Class (2023). They will both return to their respective classes, while Maciej Tuniewicz (No. 29 New Granite and Marble Ford Mustang) will be racing in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series instead.

Like father, like son

Two entrants for the GT1 Class during the Memorial Day Classic are Brent Goforth (No. 98 Big Dog Foundation Piers Chevrolet Camaro) and Bill Goforth, his father (No. 99 Big Dog Foundation Piers Chevrolet Camaro). Needless to say, Big Dog Foundation Piers is going to get some good coverage while fans watch the battle for the GT1 Class victory.

Competitive racing coming to Lime Rock Park courtesy of Trans Am

Saturday’s Trans Am Series by Pirelli events at Lime Rock Park promise to deliver some great theatrics, with all classes featuring some interesting storylines and competition. The TA Class features the season-long battle between Paul Menard and Matthew Brabham, plus the added wildcard of Chris Dyson. GT1 is a family class this weekend, with Brent and Bill Goforth competing against each other. XGT will see former Lime Rock winner Erich Joiner face off against Billy Griffin, who is undefeated this season. SGT pits Chris Coffey against Patrick Utt once again and comes with the unknown of Whelen Mazda MX-5 driver Jesse Schmidt. Finally, GT will feature another former Lime Rock winner, Michael Saia, facing off against two drivers who have run the class in 2026: Derric Carter and Brion Gluck.

POINT STANDINGS:

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Driver Points:

1.      Helio Meza (422)

2.      Alon Day (344)

3.      Sam Corry (321)

4.      Adrian Wlostowski (307)

5.      Noah Harmon (300)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Pro/Am Challenge Points:

1.      Jared Odrick (403)

2.      Cale Phillips (365)

3.      Christina Lam (357)

4.      Doug Winston (351)

5.      Matt Gray (310)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Rookie Standings:

1.      Alon Day (344)

2.      Ethan Tovo (289)

3.      Jackson Tovo (364)

4.      Vinnie Meskelis (258)

5.      Stanton Barrett (243)

Sunoco Young Guns Driver’s Championship:

1.      Helio Meza (422)

2.      Sam Corry (321)

3.      Noah Harmon (300)

4.      Ethan Tovo (289)

5.      Jackson Tovo (264)

TA Class Driver Standings:

1.      Matthew Brabham (422)

2.      Paul Menard (389)

3.      Tomy Drissi (345)

4.      David Pintaric (332)

5.      Simon Gregg (325)

XGT Class Driver Standings:

1.      Billy Griffin (206)

SGT Class Driver Standings:

1.      Chris Coffey (412)

2.      Patrick Utt (385)

3.      Milton Grant (178)

4.      Lee Saunders (103)

5.      Zach Arnold (102)

GT Class Driver Standings:

1.      Derric Carter (206)

GT1 Challenge Driver Standings:

1.      Jordan Bupp (206)

2.      Brent Goforth (98)

3.      Axel Rivera (98)

4.      David Jans (93)

5.      Paul Fix (88)

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WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

TA/XGT/SGT/GT/GT1

-        Optional Test #1: Thursday, May 21st - 11:25 AM to 12:00 AM

-        Optional Test #2: Thursday, May 21st - 3:50 PM to 4:25 PM

-        Practice: Friday, May 22nd - 10:45 AM to 11:10 AM

-        Qualifying: Friday, May 22nd - 3:40 PM to 4:15 PM

-        Race: Saturday, May 23rd - 11:40 AM to 12:55 PM (68 Laps or 75 Minutes)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series

-        Optional Test #1: Thursday, May 21st - 12:05 PM to 12:40 PM

-        Optional Test #2: Thursday, May 21st - 4:30 PM to 5:05 PM

-        Practice: Friday, May 22nd - 11:20 AM to 11:45 AM

-        Qualifying: Friday, May 22nd - 4:25 PM to 5:00 PM

-        Race: Saturday, May 23rd - 2:30 PM to 3:55 PM (68 Laps or 75 Minutes)

BUY TICKETS HERE

ENTRY LIST