LAKEVILLE CT – It has been nearly 20 years since Chris Dyson raced around the traditional Lime Rock Park configuration, but the hometown Dutchess County driver wheeled the 1.5-mile course effortlessly on Monday in the feature race of the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic, featuring the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli. Racing in the TA class, Dyson finished the 100-mile race in 67 laps with a time of 59:55.424, driving the No. 20 Plaid Ford Mustang.
“This place is all about momentum and flow; it’s the closest road course to an oval that we can get,” said Dyson after the race. “The Plaid Ford Mustang has been quick from the get go, really giving me confidence leading into the race. There’s no better spot to start the race in front of all my family and friends who came out to support me.”
Dyson almost missed out on the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic. Following an incident during the Hoosier 100 in Indianapolis on Thursday, Dyson suffered an injury that forced him to withdraw from the Silver Crown Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway on Friday. However, with a bit of rest and determination, the doctor cleared Dyson for his return to Lime Rock Park.
Only separated by 1.966 of a second, Ernie Francis Jr. and Josh Hurley rounded out the top-three in Monday’s 100-mile feature race.
In a last-minute substitution on Monday, Hurley replaced Jim McAleese in the No. 3 McAleese and Associates Chevrolet Camaro. McAleese tested and practiced on Saturday but fell ill and was unable to participate in Round 4.
Championship contender Tomy Drissi in the No. 8 Godzilla May 31 / Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro finished fourth and Paul Fix of Williamsville, N.Y., in the No. 4 Ave Motorsports Ford Mustang finished fifth.
