Sebring, FL – Today’s race, round 1 of 12 in the Trans Am TA2 series at Sebring International Raceway, didn’t lack any excitement with Archer Brothers team driver Tommy Archer being the talk of the race and star of the show! Archer unfortunately lost his 3rd place starting position but rallied from the back of the pack in one of the most thrilling and exciting races to 2nd place. A last lap spin caused by oil on the track resulted in Tommy crossing the finish line of the time shortened race in 11th position.
The #54 Koolmat/Kolar Chevrolet Camaro unfortunately lost the 3rdplace starting position due to a miscommunication regarding the required time to be on the grid prior to the race and forced the team to the back of the 35 TA2 car field. The initial set back of starting in the last position didn’t last long as within the first 5 laps, Tommy had already passed 26 cars and found himself in 9thplace. 3 cautions throughout the 23 lap/70 minute race played to Tommy’s advantage in grouping the cars back together and allowing Tommy to continue the move to the front. By lap 7 and the second caution of the day, Tommy had made his way to the Top 5 – battling fellow competitors Gar Robinson, Tony Buffomante, Adam Andretti and Shane Lewis. Tommy explains, “The battle with the top 5 cars was tough and we were fast but they were definitely faster on the straightaway and coming out of the turn. I had to work hard to come off the turns quicker to stay with them and that’s when I would take the pass. I battled with Adam Andretti and we went back and forth 3 times on one lap. I haven’t worked that hard on the track in a long time!”
After the last caution of the race, the final green flag waved on lap 13 with a strong battle continuing within the top 5 cars. Tommy continued to battle back and forth with Buffomante and Andretti, eventually giving Tommy the 2ndposition. Now on the final lap, heading into Turn 14 and with 3 turns to go, slick track conditions caused the car to get loose and spin. Tommy was able to get the car turned around and back on track – finishing in 11th. “We had an extremely fast car and quite a few people have said this was one of the best races they have ever watched with seeing our car come from the back and battle for the win. A huge thank you to the Archer Brother crew, our marketing partners and all of our friends and family for their continued support,” says Tommy.
The Archer Brothers team would like to congratulate Gar Robinson of Robinson Racing on his win today and thank all of our supporting partners: : Koolmat, Kolar Chevrolet, Morgan Stanley, BTS Industries, Penske Shocks, TeamTech Motorsports, Quarter Master Industries, Jody Berquist and Elite Tinting and Graphics.
Next up: Tommy and the Archer Brothers team will have just over 1 month prior to the next race at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA with race activities scheduled on April 8th – 10th.
