Nitro Motorsports delivered another strong showing in the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli TA2 class at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). With a deep roster of drivers securing podium finishes and multiple top-ten results, it was Ben Maier who stole the show and looked to be on his way to victory before being deliberately crashed late in the race.
Leading the way on the final results sheets was Julian DaCosta, who earned a hard-fought overall podium with a third-place finish, while Cale Phillips impressed in the Pro/Am class, finishing second. Benefiting from Maier’s misfortune, DaCosta added to the Nitro Motorsports TA2 National Class podium total while Phillips continued to impress in Pro/Am.
Nitro Motorsports looked poised for victory as Ben Maier led most of the race, showcasing speed and composure at the front of the field. Unfortunately, Maier’s bid for the win ended after late-race contact from a fellow competitor forced him out of contention. Despite the setback, he fought back to finish seventh, underlining both his pace and determination.
Elsewhere, Sam Corry narrowly missed the podium with a strong fourth place finish, while veteran Gian Buffomante crossed the line in sixth, and Boris Said Jr. completed the string of Nitro top-ten finishes in the eighth position.
In the Pro/Am class, JC Meynet battled hard and finished just shy of the podium in fourth, while Seamus McKendree, and TA2 National driver Mia Lovell were sidelined by bad racing luck.
“This weekend at VIR once again showed the strength of Nitro Motorsports,” commented Team Owner Nick Tucker. “To have Julian on the overall podium, Cale on the Pro/Am podium, and Ben leading the race before unfortunate contact shows the potential across our program. Every driver fought hard, and our crew gave them the cars to succeed. I’m proud of our entire effort and excited for what’s ahead.”
With podium results, multiple top-ten finishes, and promising performances across the lineup, Nitro Motorsports continues to prove itself as one of the premier teams in the TA2 paddock, developing drivers and fighting for victories at every event.
In the ARCA Menards Series, making his first start with the team, Andrew Patterson showed steady progression from practice into qualifying, where he secured a strong fourth-place starting position. When the green flag waved, the young driver demonstrated patience and skill, working his way into contention for the podium. By the end of the demanding race at the historic half-mile oval, Patterson crossed the line in second place, marking a stellar debut effort.
“It feels amazing to finish second in my very first ARCA start with Nitro Motorsports,” said Andrew Patterson. “The crew gave me a fantastic car, and I just focused on running clean laps and learning as much as I could. To come away with a podium in my debut is something special, and I can’t thank the team enough for their support and hard work.”
Team Owner Nick Tucker praised Patterson’s performance and the team’s continued momentum across multiple series. “Andrew did exactly what we asked of him—kept his head down, stayed smart, and brought home a great result,” said Tucker. “This podium at Salem capped off what was already a podium-filled Saturday for Nitro Motorsports across the board, and we couldn’t be prouder of the effort from our entire program.”
Photo Credit: RTD Media