Trans Am storylines ahead of Watkins Glen

DOUBLE THE RACING, DOUBLE THE FUN AT WATKINS GLEN

One of the most frequented road courses in Trans Am history, Watkins Glen International will play host to a doubleheader weekend for the Trans Am Series by Pirelli and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, with 30-lap (or 75-minute) events for both classes on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. It’s the first time since 2021 that Trans Am has held a doubleheader weekend at the 2.45-mile racetrack located in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

CAN WATKINS GLEN EXPERIENCE HELP MENARD CATCH BRABHAM?

With a doubleheader on the docket for the Trans Am Series by Pirelli this weekend at Watkins Glen, Paul Menard has double the number of opportunities to make substantial gains on Matthew Brabham (main image) in the fight for the 2026 TA Class Driver’s Championship. Brabham has been nearly unstoppable, winning six of seven races, but has never run a Trans Am event at Watkins Glen, whereas Menard has won at The Glen, and has tons of experience at the course from his days competing in NASCAR. Will it make a difference?

TA2 TITLE BATTLE OPENS UP AFTER LAST-LAP SHOCK AT ROAD AMERICA

In the most-recent event for the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series at Road America, Helio Meza looked well on his way to securing another victory for Team SLR, when his No. 28 Alessandro’s Racing Chevrolet Camaro suffered a major mechanical issue while driving up the hill to the white flag. That allowed Alon Day, his teammate and closest title rival, to claim his second victory, while Meza limped home 11th. With just five races until a championship is crowned, Day currently sits 14 points behind his 18-year-old teammate from Spring, Texas.

MEZA vs MCKEE: THE BATTLE OF TRANSAM’s DOMINANT YOUNGSTERS

2025 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion Tristan McKee is on the entry list for this weekend’s doubleheader at Watkins Glen International. McKee will pilot the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro for Team SLR, and that in itself creates a very interesting dynamic. Last year, the 16-year-old driver dominated the CUBE 3 TA2 Series, winning four races and the title, but, after McKee moved on to the ARCA Menards Series, Helio Meza has taken his place – both as the new driver of the No. 28 and as the dominant force in the series. This weekend’s events should be an interesting thought experiment to see where the two youngsters in the Chevrolet pipeline stack up.

RAFA MATOS MAKES LONG-AWAITED RETURN FROM LIME ROCK INJURY

Rafa Matos is getting back in the saddle this weekend at Watkins Glen International, filling in for Keith Prociuk in the No. 9 HP Tuners / American Flag Pole Toyota Camry for Mike Cope Racing. Matos has been sidelined since Memorial Day, after suffering a crash at Lime Rock that resulted in two fractured ribs and a punctured lung. After weeks of rehab, the Brazilian chose The Glen (a track he’s won at three times) as the place he’d return to competition.

TOMY DRISSI MAKING 200TH TRANS AM START AT WATKINS GLEN

This weekend at Watkins Glen International marks a special landmark for Tomy Drissi. The Hollywood, California-native will make his 200th start in the Trans Am Series by Pirelli, driving his familiar No. 8 Trench Shoring Chevrolet Camaro. Drissi will become just the fourth driver in the series to ever achieve 200 career starts, joining greats like Simon Gregg and Paul Gentilozzi. Drissi made his first start in the Trans Am Series by Pirelli in 1999 at the Long Beach Street Circuit, finishing eighth in the No. 15 Drissi Advertising Ford Mustang Cobra.

NITRO MOTORSPORTS BRINGING NEW TALENT TO TRANS AM

Nitro Motorsports is bringing some fresh blood into the fold for this weekend’s doubleheader at Watkins Glen International. Jay Thomas, a full-time competitor in the Toyota GR Cup for the organization, will jump over to the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series program for this weekend, piloting the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE typically driven by Seamus McKendree. Thomas will serve as a teammate to Ethan Tovo, Jackson Tovo, Vinnie Meskelis, and Gian Buffomante.

JORDAN BUPP TAKING FIGHT TO BRENT GOFORTH FOR GT1 CHALLENGE TITLE

For the first time since Road Atlanta, Jordan Bupp is back in the Trans Am Series by Pirelli, competing in a doubleheader at Watkins Glen International. Driving his typical No. 11 Hamilton Safe & Security Systems Chevrolet Camaro, Bupp, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is countering a two-race run by Brent Goforth that has put the No. 98 at the top of the standings with only a handful of races left in the season. Leaving Watkins Glen, with just CTMP, VIR, and COTA remaining, Bupp will return to the top of the championship standings.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Trans Am Series by Pirelli – TA/GT Classes:

-       Optional Test #1: Thursday, July 16 - 10:40 AM to 11:20 AM

-       Optional Test #2: Thursday, July 16 - 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM

-       Practice: Friday, July 17 – 9:45 AM to 10:10 AM

-       Qualifying: Friday, July 17 – 2:20 PM to 2:55 PM

-       Race #1: Saturday, July 18 – 10:30 AM (30 laps or 75 minutes)

-       Race #2: Sunday, July 19 – 2:05 PM (30 laps or 75 minutes)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series:

-       Optional Test #1: Thursday, July 16 – 11:55 AM to 12:35 PM

-       Optional Test #2: Thursday, July 16 – 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM

-       Practice: Friday, July 17 – 10:20 AM to 10:45 AM

-       Qualifying: Friday, July 17 – 3:05 PM to 3:40 PM

-       Race #1: Saturday, July 18 – 1:20 PM (30 laps or 75 minutes)

-       Race #2: Sunday, July 19 – 11:05 AM (30 laps or 75 minutes)

BROADCAST:

-       RacingAmerica.TV (WATCH LIVE)

-       Racing America 24/7 Channel

-       @TheTransAmSeries on YouTube