POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (Sept 22, 2021) – With a commanding lead in a series points championship and just two races remaining on the schedule, many drivers would be tempted to ease off and just finish high enough to ward off the remaining title competitors. That is not the approach being taken by Chris Dyson, winner of six of the nine races run to date in the headlining TA class in the 2021 Trans Am by Pirelli series. Coming off a sweep of both ends of the most recent Trans Am race race meeting, a double-header at Watkins Glen, Dyson is looking to score a third consecutive victory in his #20 ALTWELL CBD Ford Mustang at this weekend’s race at Virginia International Raceway.
“I see no reason to change the strategy that’s brought us this far,” Dyson said. “The goal every weekend is to win the race. If you do that, the championship will take care of itself. The team has done a brilliant job all season, giving me a car that’s capable of winning against a field of top-notch drivers and cars.”
Two drivers still have a chance to overhaul Dyson for the championship: Tomy Drissi and defending titlist Ernie Francis, Jr. Dyson leads Drissi, who has run strong all season in his Chevy Camaro, 267 to 221. Francis, whose Ford Mustang has experienced mechanical issues at several races, has 204 points coming into the VIR race.
“Tomy and Ernie have both won races this year,” Dyson noted. “There are more than enough points available for either of them to win the championship. It would be a heavy lift for Ernie, but Tomy is definitely still within striking distance and he’s been driving really well this year. And while Boris Said is out of the battle for the championship, he’s won a race this year and he is a potential winner this weekend. We are determined to stay up front.”
Dyson has reason to be optimistic about his chances at VIR. Last season he scored podium finishes in both ends of the VIR doubleheader, while in 2019 Dyson won the pole and set fastest race lap after having to make an early-race pit stop while leading to resolve an electrical issue.
Masaood Returns for VIR and COTA.
Following a several-race absence from the series due to business commitments and Covid-related travel restrictions from his home in London, England, Humaid Masaood rejoins the series in his #21 Amamos La Vida Tequila Ford Mustang for the final two races of the season. Masaood looks to pick up where he left off, with a pair of second-place finishes at the Sonoma round of the Trans Am West series and the Laguna Seca round of the National Series.
“I’m pleased that Andy Lally and Guy Smith were able to sit in for me and score points for the CD Racing team,” Masaood said. “But I’m ready get back in the car, both to support Chris’s drive for the title and to finish my own season on a high note.”
VIR Schedule
Qualifying for this weekend’s race take place Saturday, Sept 25. (5:30-5:45 p.m. ET)
The 31-lap (100-mile) race takes the green flag at 11:00 a.m. (ET), Sunday, Sept. 26.
The livestream can be viewed on the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing app (Android & Apple) which offers a full-service digital media platform, including live scoring, on-board footage, race highlights, post-race highlights, full race replays, race results and series, team and driver news.
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