Trans Am Western Championship heads to Laguna Seca

The Trans Am Series by Pirelli’s Western Championship returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend, adding another chapter to the series’ rich history at the renowned road course in Monterey, Calif.

The first Trans Am event at Laguna Seca was held on Aug. 24, 1969, lasted 226 miles, and was won by Mark Donahue, driving a Chevrolet Camaro in Over 2 Liter and Peter Gregg driving a Porsche 911 in Under 2 Liter.

This year’s return trip to Monterey marks the 19th year that Trans Am will run at Laguna Seca: 1969-1972, 1978-1982, 2000-2001, 2004, 2019, 2021-present. In that time the Western Championship has run 11 events, and the Trans Am Series by Pirelli’s 24th and 25th runs at the racetrack.

Among the drivers in this year’s field are Turner Brown – the grandson of Greg Pickett, the 1978 Category II Trans Am champion – who currently competes in the SPEARS CARS Northwest Tour, with two victories this year.

Points leader Graham Jacobson, who runs full-time in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series in the National division, is back in the Western Championship this weekend, as he holds the points lead heading into the Laguna Seca doubleheader.

Kyle Kelley, Michael Lapaglia and Tim Lynn, all three-time winners in the Trans Am Series by Pirelli’s Western Championship TA2 class, are in the field for this weekend’s doubleheader, and will look to become the fifth driver to score four or more wins in the division.

WESTERN CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS:

TA2 Drivers’ Championship:

1. Graham Jacobson 193pts
2. Kyle Kelley -7
3. Cole Moore -10
4. Lanie Buice -17
5. Michael LaPaglia -31
6. Tim Lynn -33
7. JC Meynet -37
8. Bob Accardo -37
9. Tim Carroll -38
10. John Moore -53

TAC Drivers’ Championship:

1. Cole Moore 201pts
2. David Kunicki -5
3. John Moore -10

SGT Drivers’ Championship:

1. Patrick Utt 206pts

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

• Practice: Friday, October 2 – 12:05 PM to 12:40 PM PT (3:05 PM to 3:40 PM ET)
• Qualifying: Friday, October 2 – 4:30 PM to 4:55 PM PT (7:30 PM to 7:55 PM ET)
• Race #1: Saturday, October 3 – 12:15 PM PT (3:15 PM ET) (45 Laps or 75 Minutes)
• Practice: Sunday, October 4 – 9:35 AM to 10:00 AM PT (12:35 PM to 1:00 PM ET)
• Race #2: Sunday, October 4 – 12:15 PM PT (3:15 PM ET) (45 Laps or 75 Minutes)