Doug Peterson (photo above) from Bonita Springs (FL) lead the entire 40 laps to win on the newly paved 1.5 mile road course at Brainerd International Raceway, its his fifth win of the season in the Trans Am series.
Peterson won qualifying and set a new track record in the process with a lap of 126.851, over 103 mph average speed. 22 cars took the green flag in the race, the largest field of cars since Trans Am returned to BIR in 2010. Peterson held the lead in the race and never looked back.
"We've had a spectacular weekend," said Peterson "the new track is amazing, much faster than last year." It was not an easy run for the win, Peterson had to wait out a long 11 lap double caution period and then have an 8 lap shootout to the checkered flag. He was pressured by four time BIR winner Tony Ave, 2012 winner Amy Ruman and defending champion Simon Gregg, the top four drivers were just 1.356 seconds apart at the finish line.
Amy Ruman (bottom photo) dropped back to 6th position on the first lap, "I spun in turn four, I got in those pebbles just a little bit," said Ruman. She then had a furious drive through the field to catch the leaders, "we needed about three more laps," she said "I was trying to make some moves at the end but Tony (Ave) drives a really wide car." Ruman posted the fastest lap of the race at 1:28.974 averaging 101.153 mph.
BIR track owner Jed Copham (on left below) raced the Derhaag Motorsports #40 car and finished 5th. "That is a hell of a car, a wild ride," said Copham "I stayed on the lead lap and finished the race, those were my goals so I am happy."
Cameron Lawrence was the winner in the TA2 division, its his fifth win of 2013. David Seuss was the winner in the TA3 division. Get full results at www.gotransam.com
Trans Am Results: September 1, 2013 Brainerd International Raceway
1-Doug Peterson
2-Tony Ave
3-Amy Ruman
4-Simon Gregg
5-Jed Copham
Listen for full interviews with Doug Peterson, Amy Ruman and Jed Copham on Speed Talk on 1360 radio, Here is the audio from KRWC https://soundcloud.com/speedtalkon1360/bir-trans-am-recap-2013
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