XGT’s Kevin Roggenbuck Second Overall in Trans Am Debut
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 22, 2023) – Practice and qualifying have concluded for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship doubleheader event at Portland International Raceway. Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series driver Brody Goble in the No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford/Cortex Performance Ford Mustang was the Motul Pole Award winner with a time of 1:14.131, earning his second-career pole at the track. After making his Trans Am debut last year at Ridge Motorsports Park, Goble has qualified fastest in class seven times in just eight qualifying attempts. Goble, who missed the season-opening event at Thunderhill Raceway Park, impressively sits third in the point standings and could leave Portland with the championship lead if he has two ideal races.
“I got one lap in there and the tires weren’t quite in the window, and on the second flier I just ran into a little bit of lapped traffic and I had to shut her down,” said Goble. “There’s definitely a little more in it. The Brown Bros. Racing team gave me a great car, as always. We made a few changes on test day and pretty well used the data from last year. My stress level is down; it’s the perfect weekend with the pole and doubleheader. We’re taking things one race at a time. After missing the Thunderhill event, we knew winning the championship was going to be tough, but we keep plugging away and keep chiseling away at it. I know it’s possible [to leave here with the lead] after this weekend, but I’ve got to win later today and hopefully win again tomorrow. We’ll see what happens.”
Making his Trans Am Series debut, XGT competitor Kevin Roggenbuck in the No. 45 Union Marine Audi R8 LMS was second fastest overall and best in class with a time of 1:14.409. JC Meynet in the No. 28 Killer Shrimp Racing Chevrolet Corvette was fastest of the five GT competitors.
Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series Qualifying Top Five:
1. Brody Goble, No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford/Cortex Performance Ford Mustang (1:14.131)
2. Brad McAllister, No. 24 Straumann and Zimbis Ford Mustang (1:14.499)
3. Ken Sutherland, No. 68 Kallberg Racing Chevrolet Camaro (1:14.533)
4. Greg Tolson, No. 70 GT Auto Lounge Ford Mustang (1:14.734)
5. Michael LaPaglia, No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto Ford Mustang (1:15.326)
TA Qualifying:
1. Steve Goldman, No. 13 LIG Racing Chevrolet Corvette (1:17.292)
XGT Qualifying:
1. Kevin Roggenbuck, No. 45 Union Marine Audi R8 LMS (1:14.409)
2. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang (1:15.159)
3. Michelle Nagai, No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro (No Time)
GT Qualifying:
1. JC Meynet, No. 28 Killer Shrimp Racing Chevrolet Corvette (1:18.895)
2. Kevin Michaels, No. 98 Killer Shrimp Restaurant Chevrolet Corvette (1:19.119)
3. David Hampton, No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 CS (1:21.192)
4. Martin Sarukhanyan, No. 11 Cobalt Brakes Mazda Miata (1:21.748)
5. Larry Luck, No. 16 Luck Services BMW M3 (1:22.587)
Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series Practice:
1. Brad McAllister, No. 24 Straumann and Zimbis Ford Mustang (1:14.644)
2. Brody Goble, No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford/Cortex Performance Ford Mustang (1:14.793)
3. Tim Lynn, No. 17 RoofOptions Ford Mustang (1:15.272)
4. Greg Tolson, No. 70 GT Auto Lounge Ford Mustang (1:15.438)
5. Ken Sutherland, No. 68 Kallberg Racing Chevrolet Camaro (1:15.605)
XGT Practice:
1. Kevin Roggenbuck, No. 45 Union Marine Audi R8 LMS (1:15.534)
2. Michelle Nagai, No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro (1:17.296)
3. Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply Ford Mustang (1:32.727)
GT Practice:
1. Kevin Michaels, No. 98 Killer Shrimp Restaurant Chevrolet Corvette (1:20.089)
2. JC Meynet, No. 28 Killer Shrimp Racing Chevrolet Corvette (1:20.215)
3. David Hampton, No. 14 AR Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 CS (1:21.778)
4. Larry Luck, No. 16 Luck Services BMW M3 (1:21.818)
5. Martin Sarukhanyan, No. 11 Cobalt Brakes Mazda Miata (1:22.987)
Race 1 of this weekend’s doubleheader at Portland International Raceway will be contested today at 12:45 p.m. PT.
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