Robinson Finishes 3rd at the Glen, Regains Points Lead - Speedway Digest

In his first ever race at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, Gar Robinson claimed a third place finish in his No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro. Earning his second podium finish of the year in Round 3 of Trans Am’s 50th Anniversary Season, Robinson regained the points lead in the 2016 Championship standings. In the No. 72 Chevrolet Camaro, Shane Lewis finished in sixth at the Glen and moved up two spots to fifth in the points standings.

With only three, very brief testing and practice sessions on Friday and early Saturday, the pony cars barely had a chance to stretch their legs and try out the newly repaved course. Saturday afternoon’s “one shot” qualifying round saw Robinson cross the checkered flag in 10th with his teammate Lewis in 11th. Unfortunately, the transponders failed to record their fastest lap times.

The forecast called for rain showers throughout the weekend, but instead, Mother Nature dished out a variety of conditions: light sprinkles, sunshine with blue skies, high winds and rain. On race day, conditions turned yet again, and it was bone-chilling temperatures, and even snow flurries, that the teams had to contend with.

“The new pavement at Watkins Glen is really awesome. The weather at the Glen during the weekend, not so much,” said Lewis. “The snow wasn’t sticking but it was blowing slightly sideways through the pit lane as we were about to start the race on Sunday.”

The green flag for the Classic Tube 100 TA2 race, powered by AEM Performance Electronics, dropped at 9:20 am on Sunday.

“It was so cold that the race officials called for an additional pace lap to get the engines up to temp and also to get the tires at least some simulation of heat in them. So here I am trying to get heat in the tires, middle of the pack where crashes happen, last-minute call for an extra pace lap, adrenaline pumping, coming around the last corner to take the green flag and then… nothing. It’s like time stopped,” said Lewis. “I thought they were going to abort the start, as we were way too close to the start/finish line not to be accelerating yet. Then, just as I was sure we were doing another pace lap, at the last second, my crew chief called the green.”

Lewis jumped the start at the line, but gave back the positions gained before turn 1. He served a drive through penalty down pit lane and fell to the back of the pack, among 25 Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers. The “Comeback Kid” didn’t stay back there for long. Lewis, now in his second year competing in the Trans Am Series, brought home a sixth place finish.

Making his way up the field from 10th, Robinson witnessed the frequent shuffling of cars, some due to mechanical failures. He charged up to the second position, but lost ground and fell back to fourth when the car experienced a gear issue. In the final few laps, Robinson was able to gain a position and finish on the podium in third.

“We had faster cars than what was recorded in qualifying. Before the race, I knew I had a car that could get up front; it was just up to me to get it there,” said Robinson. “Coming from the middle of the pack made for an entertaining race. The track was great; it was really satisfying the way the racing went. Being it was a track I had never been to, I think the result was pretty acceptable.”

Robinson is looking forward to returning to Watkins Glen soon. He noted, “We’re gladly accepting invitations for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.”

After his 2015 rookie season in which he became the TA2 Champion, Robinson won the 2016 Trans Am season opener at Sebring International Raceway in March. With his third place finish at Watkins Glen, Robinson is now back on top of the 2016 Championship standings with 77 points. Lewis rounds out the top 5 with 60 points.

Next up for the 50th Anniversary Trans Am Season are the invitational races at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, June 3-5, 2016. For more information, visit DetroitGP.com and GoTransAm.com.

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Adam Sinclair

NHRA, IHRA, Motocross and other forms of motorsports Staff writer
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.