In what can only be classified as domination in the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli TA2 class, Nitro Motorsports earned a 1-2-3 finish this past weekend at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Earning the TA2 Driver Championship in 2023 and 2024, Nitro Motorsports is at the top of the charts in 2025 as Thomas Annunziata scored his second win in as many races, and the first for the all-new Toyota Camry.
“I don’t know what to say,” explained Nick Tucker. “We have had a tremendous start to the season as we look to continue the success and momentum from 2023 and 2024. It was a podium sweep here in Atlanta, and with a field as deep as what we have here, that is very difficult to do.”
After showing pace in practice, qualifying went just as planned for Nitro Motorsports with Annunziata earning the pole position. Teammates Julian DaCosta and Tyler Gonzalez clocked the second and third-quickest laps to make it a Nitro Motorsports 1-2-3. Boris Said Jr. and Sam Corry slotted into the sixth and ninth positions to put five drivers inside the top-ten.
Fast forward to Sunday and the main event, Annunziata was able to drive to his second win of the season as he never put a wheel wrong in the 40-lap affair. Gonzalez, who was poised to take the win in round one at the Sebring Raceway before a part failure put him on the sidelines late in the race, rebounded in Atlanta and improved from his P3 starting spot to finish second. Julian DeCosta rounded out the Nitro Motorsports podium sweep in third.
Tucker continued, “I can’t thank the team and all the guys enough for the hard work, help, and support to get to where we are today. We are continuing to expand, and there is no slowing down for now. These results are proof and a reward for their efforts.”
Sam Corry crossed the line fourth and, though disappointed not to be on the podium, was overjoyed to be part of what he thought was a one-through-four finish. Celebrating with his teammates after the official podium celebration concluded, Corry finished just .269 in arrears of DaCosta for the final podium spot but later found out that he was given a penalty for avoidable contact and relegated down the finishing order.
Cale Phillips had a solid run in the Pro/Am class finishing 15th overall, but fourth in class. Running lap times competitive to the class leaders, Phillips proved that he has what it takes for Nitro Motorsports to be on the top step of the podium in both TA2 classes.
Recent Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli Western Series podium winner Mia Lovell proved fast in pre-event testing, but a massive qualifying crash put her behind. Losing grip at the famed downhill final corner at Road Atlanta, Lovell was hard into the outside wall and destroyed her Nitro Motorsports prepared Ford Mustang. With the team driving from Atlanta back to Charlotte, North Carolina to pick up a backup car, Lovell was able to race Sunday and drove from deep in the field to finish a solid and respectable P12 in class. Following the race and post-race penalties, Lovell ended up tenth on the results sheet and was named the race’s Hard Charger picking up an award for her efforts. It was a great comeback on Sunday after a disastrous Saturday. Gian Buffomante finished 16th in class at the end of wheel-to-wheel racing, while Boris Said Jr, who showed top-five speed, ran into trouble and was classified P17.
In the TA class, Brent Crews had luck, it was just not good luck. After pacing the practice sessions and qualifying on the pole position, a broken axle in the race forced him to the sidelines for the second race in a row, both while leading. Disappointed and down, Crews will look for redemption at the Sonoma Raceway in one month’s time.
Next up for the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli will be a trip to Sonoma Raceway over the April 24-27 weekend for round three of the championship.
Photo Credit: RTD Media