McAllister wins tense TA2 battle, Borders takes GT honor<\/b><\/p>\n
PORTLAND, Ore. (28 July, 2019) – Veteran Greg Pickett delivered on his post-qualifying promise, reeling off a stunning\u00a0series of fast laps early and romping to victory in today\u2019s 53-lap, 102.1-mile Trans Am Presented by Pirelli West\u00a0Championship race at Portland International Raceway.<\/p>\n
What Pickett didn’t predict was the race-long challenge from Michelle Nagai whose No. 72 Berkeley Jet Drive Inc.\u00a0Chevrolet Corvette out-jumped second qualifier Simon Gregg\u2019s similar machine at the start and stuck to the rear wing of\u00a0Pickett\u2019s white Mustang through the first six laps before ever-so-slowly slipping back.<\/p>\n
Through two yellow-flag action periods, Nagai kept Pickett honest, and she finished a strong second, just 15 seconds\u00a0back after a virtuoso performance in only her fourth Trans Am start.<\/p>\n
“I did qualifying laps every lap trying to stay with him,\u201d said an excited Nagai. “I learned so much from him, found such a\u00a0smooth rhythm. And zero problems with the dang car for once. I looked at the back of him for longer than I ever\u00a0expected. Second is second, but it\u2019s not the first loser today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pickett, celebrating his 22nd career Trans Am victory, was quick to offer praise: \u201cMichelle, would you be a little easier on\u00a0an old guy? No, she will not!<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I love coming to PIR \u2014 this is three wins in a row up here,\u201d Pickett continued. “You fans are most gracious, the\u00a0weather\u2019s always beautiful \u2014 we appreciate the people of PIR. And of course, thanks to my wife Penny who\u2019s allowed\u00a0me to do this all these years. I\u2019m deeply appreciative; those memories are precious to me. Thanks everybody \u2014 thanks\u00a0to my competitors; and congratulations to that great TA2 race I came upon from time to time.<\/p>\n
Gregg (No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette) had a low-key weekend, qualifying second but slowly slipping\u00a0back into the clutches of a race-long TA2 tussle, ultimately finishing third in TA following fast-starting Michael Fine (No.\u00a066 Architectural Glass Systems Chevrolet Camaro)\u2019s retirement.<\/p>\n
Third place, though, was enough to clinch the 2019 Trans Am West Championship – the Floridian’s second career TA title\u00a0(Gregg was the 2012 National champion). Race-winner Pickett was among the first to offer congratulations when his title\u00a0was officially unofficially announced: \u201cCongratulations, Simon. I wish I could have given you more competition,\u201d Pickett\u00a0exclaimed.<\/p>\n
Blue skies, a gentle wind and cooler temperatures were the unlikely backdrop for a heated, intense TA2-class battle that\u00a0stretched through all 53 laps.<\/p>\n