POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 14, 2019) — Chris Dyson comes into this weekend’s 2019 Trans Am Championship by Pirelli finale in second place in the driver championship standings. With a total of 35 points available, Dyson is 21 behind his sole rival for the title, Ernie Francis Jr., but 54 points ahead of third place. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Dyson plans to run his Plaid Mustang as hard as possible in Friday’s qualifying session and the Saturday’s hundred-mile race.
“Ernie is a tough competitor and he will be fast all weekend long,” Dyson said. “We have nothing to lose by going for it. All I can do is give it my best shot to win the race and pick up the maximum amount of bonus points, including the three for the pole, the point for leading the most laps and the point for the fastest race lap.”
Francis, the defending TA-class champion, and Dyson, last year’s rookie of the year, have dominated the 2019 season, between them winning six of the 10 races run so far and four times finishing 1-2. Dyson, winner of the Lime Rock Park and Indianapolis Motor Speedway races led the championship at the midway point of the 11-race season before mechanical issues at Road America and Virginia International Raceway permitted Francis to overtake him.
“Those mechanical issues were particularly frustrating because in each case we were very competitive and had a real shot to win,” Dyson said. “That’s basically been the difference in the season.”
At Daytona there will be a second CD Racing Mustang, driven by Humaid Al Masaood, winner of the 2011 Grand Prix of Baltimore IMSA race in a Dyson Racing Team entry. Masaood tested Monday at Palm Beach International Raceway in his second outing in the #21 team car, having tested earlier this summer at Road Atlanta.
“Humaid is a great friend and I’m happy to introduce him to the Trans Am series, and for us to be working together again.” said Dyson. “The test at Palm Beach went well and I expect Humaid will be competitive at Daytona.”
Plaid
Headquartered in Atlanta, Plaid Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world’s largest, most diverse manufacturers of creative do-it-yourself products. Plaid’s product innovation and dedication to the ever-changing needs of consumers have made the Plaid family of products among the most recognized and desired brands worldwide.
Founded in 1976, Plaid began as a publisher of how-to craft books. The company soon expanded into manufacturing, with paint becoming the primary focus. Today, Plaid is the industry’s leading small batch paint manufacturer, proudly producing paint in its facilities located outside of Atlanta, GA.
Notable brands in Plaid’s portfolio include FolkArt, Apple Barrel, Delta, Bucilla, Martha Stewart Crafts, and one of the industry’s best known, Mod Podge, a favorite since 1967.