The Predator Completes The Hunt at Watkins Glen…. Drissi Takes Top Step of TransAm Podium

In a race that saw four different leaders, it was Tomy Drissi and the No. 8 The Predator Chevrolet Camaro who emerged with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli victory at Watkins Glen International.

It was a strategy that began at Road America… stay in the hunt, drive clean, then race for the podium. With the tight qualifying at the Glen, starting sixth was not a disadvantage.

Drissi would begin the 102-mile, 30-lap contest around Watkins Glen’s Grand Prix course in sixth position and begin his climb through the field, moving to fourth on the second lap then adopting a more patient strategy; a good start, stay clean and let the race come to you. With 10 laps remaining and nothing but the open track of Watkins Glen, drive for the win.

And that’s what he did. Driving the No. 8 Predator Camaro for Burtin Racing, Tomy Drissi executed the perfect strategy… and it paid off.

Pole sitter Boris Said, in the No. 21 Monster Energy/ Weaver Concepts Dodge Challenger, would retire due to wheel bearing, Ernie and Fix had trouble also.

“The start of the race was just crazy.” said Tomy. “I probably could have pressed my advantage, but I decided to lay back and play it slow—see what happens. I hate it for the guys that ended up having trouble, especially Boris; he was so fast.”

“But we were in the zone,” said Tomy. “From the crew to the car to the checkered flag…. we were simply in the zone. We made our way through the turn one calamity, and stated the fight to the front. We had our issues too when on lap 8 we broke a header. We lost at lease 30-40HP but are car handled so good that we could still post good times. What mattered was that last yellow…. everyone bunched up but it didn’t matter. We had the car… the handling and we were able to fight and stay just ahead of Loshak”.

But Drissi had to earn his win, holding off his hard-charging Burtin Racing teammate Lawrence Loshak, in the No. 2 Pennzoil/ ETE Reman Chevrolet Camaro, over the course of the final six laps.

“I saw Loshack making moves in those last 10 laps,” said Tomy. “….. with three and four laps to go it was 10/10ths, he was pushing hard… but he’s a true gentleman.. he raced me clean without taking any unnecessary risks. I was faster in some places, but he was faster in others. He could have shook me loose or gotten into my quarter panel, but he didn’t. There was respect there, and I owe him one. I want to see him get some wins coming up; he doesn’t need my help—he’s pretty quick. I’ll race with him any day.”

“Those last laps took forever,” said Tomy. I think that car made every noise I’ve ever heard. The laps around the Glen and pretty long anyway. The last two are really, really long when your looking for the checkered flag.”

“Obviously, I can’t thank the Burtin Racing crew enough,” Tomy added. “They put us right in the hunt and left the rest up to me. We’ve really developed a nice working relationship and it’s nice to know your crew is 100% behind you. Of course, having The Predator movie on board was great fun… it was great for the fans and especially great for all the kids visiting the race with Chris Dyson’s Cornell Upward Bound charity. We had a great time with them. My hats off to Trans Am, Watkins Glen and my family, Lacy and the kids, thank you all. We’re proud to be a part of it.”

You can follow select 2018 action of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli with the new Motor Trend On Demand app or on your web browser. Highlights of the recent Road America action can be seen on the CBS Sports network on September 16 at 2:00pm ET. The full recap of the Watkins Glen race is September 23 at 2:00pm ET.

Fans can keep up with the Trans AM Series presented by Pirelli throughout the event at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.

PREDATOR

Opens September 14, 2018. From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. The universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.

About The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli:

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing. Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing, through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), and oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series, presented by Pirelli. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides operations services to the Series. For more on the Series visit www.gotransam.com, “like” Trans Am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, or follow Trans Am on Twitter @gotransam

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Keep up with Tomy at http://www.tomydrissi.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tomydrissi/ – Catch Tomy’s Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/tomydrissi

Tomy Drissi is an American driver and Trans Am Champion.

His driver experience includes ALMS, Trans-Am, NASCAR and Speed World Challengea

Born December 9 in Hollywood, California, Tomy owns an advertising firm that produces upcoming film displays for cinemas.

Drissi’s first racing experience in motorsports was street racing on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills.

Tomy’s professional racing career highlights include:

• 1999 Trans-Am Rookie of the Year,

• 2000 Trans-Am BBS Most Improved Driver,

• 2000 Trans-Am Crew of the Year

• 2000 Trans-Am Long Beach Champion

• 2009 Trans-Am Champion.

• 2010 ALMS (one off race) Prototype LMP1 3rd. at Mid Ohio

• 2011 saw Tomy’s return to the American Le Mans LMPC division. He scored a 2nd at Long Beach, 3rd at Lime Rock, 1st at Mid Ohio,1st at Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix and second at Road Atlanta -Petit Le Mans.

• 2012, Drissi teamed with Bruno Junqiera for finishing 2nd at Laguna Seca, a win at Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsports Park), 2nd at Baltimore and second at the season finale, Petit Lemans.

• 2013 NASCAR CUP/Nationwide. Best result at Mid Ohio starting 38th and finishing 19th.

• 2014 IMSA LMPC at Daytona 3rd.

• 2014 NASCAR CUP/Nationwide. Finished 19th at The Glen

• 2015 TUDOR Series. 2nd Place Rolex 24 at Daytona

• 2016 WeatherTech Series. 2nd Place Rolex 24 at Daytona

• 2017 Three wins in the Trans Am Series

• 2017 WeatherTech Series. 1st Place Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta

• 2018 Trans Am Series West Champion