Saturday’s Trans Am Series by Pirelli event at Sonoma Raceway, the first leg of a doubleheader on the West Coast, ended up being the survival of the fittest, which ultimately benefited Matthew Brabham.

Former Indy Racing League engine builder Mickey Nickos has died unexpectedly, according to his son Dale, who worked alongside the Chicago-based horsepower guru during the IRL’s infancy.Through their family-run NAC Engines business, the short-track and dirt-racing motor specialists built a loyal customer base in the Midwest. With the IRL’s move...