SEBRING, Fla. (February 23, 2025) ― Paul Menard kicked off the 2025 season of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli in a similar fashion to his 2024 championship-winning season: with a victory at Sebring International Raceway. After starting the race from the pole, he led the first five laps before being passed by 2023 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion Brent Crews. However, a late mechanical issue by Crews put Menard back in the point position, allowing him to claim his first win of the season.
Notes of Interest:
- This was Paul Menard’s second-consecutive victory at Sebring. He kicked off his 2024 championship-winning season with a victory at the track last year.
- Brent Crews led the most laps in today’s event, but was forced to retire early due to a transmission issue. He ultimately finished seventh in class.
- Three-time champion Chris Dyson earned a DNF in the season opener, experiencing a hard crash on lap 12.
When the green flag waved to start the season, Menard (No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang) shot ahead of his competitors, who battled behind him. Third-place Adam Andretti (No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro) quickly made the pass on Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) for second on lap one, and the following lap, Crews, who started fifth, surpassed Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro), Dyson and Andretti for the runner-up spot. Crews’ No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro showed incredible speed, and by lap six, he was battling side-by-side with Menard, ultimately taking over the lead.
On lap 12, the double yellow was displayed as Dyson, who had been holding the fourth position, experienced a mechanical failure that resulted in a hard impact with the wall, ending his day. Racing resumed on lap 18, and despite a challenge from Menard on the start, Crews once again pulled out into the lead. Unfortunately, just two laps later, Crews experienced an issue with his transmission, forcing him to pull off the racing surface and retire from the event.
Menard took back the lead, followed closely by Andretti, Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette), Humaid Masaood (No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang) and Tomy Drissi (Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro). Despite challenges from Andretti, Menard was able to hold the point position until the checkered flag waved. Andretti finished second, while Ruman took the final podium position. Drissi made his way around Masaood in the final laps, taking fourth, while Masaood finished fifth.
“Today was eventful,” said Menard. “I had a fast car all weekend. We finally put it all together for qualifying and had the track position to start up front and lead some laps. Brent Crews was just really, really quick, and after five laps, he ran us down. We had a little battle and he got by me clean. Then, Adam [Andretti] started running me down. We got that caution and it kind of saved me from him. We had short-run speed; we’ve got to work on a little long-run speed, but we know what we’ve got to do. I’m really proud of the guys. We had two cars this weekend and the guys busted their tails all weekend long, bouncing back and forth between Brandon Jones and myself and keeping us running strong. It’s so great to be back at Sebring. Hell of a way to start the year.”
TA Top Five:
1. Paul Menard, No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang
2. Adam Andretti, No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro
3. Amy Ruman, No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette
4. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro
5. Humaid Masaood, No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang
EMCO Gears Lap Leader:
Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro
Trans Am Series | Photos: Trans Am Series
