Gian Buffomante and Thomas Annunziata fastest in Trans Am TA2 practice

Lakeville, CT (23 May 2025) — A cold, dry morning gave way to a dramatic, rain-soaked afternoon at Lime Rock Park as the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic officially roared to life. Friday’s opening day was marked not only by on-track excitement but also by community celebration, educational achievement and the debut of a major new addition to the Park’s fan experience.

Before the skies opened, Lime Rock Park hosted the official ribbon cutting for the all-new Country Carpenters Beer Pavilion presented by Foolproof Brewing Company.

“Lime Rock Park has always been about the people,” said Lime Rock Park President and CEO Dicky Riegel. “Here with Country Carpenters and Foolproof Brewing we have some world class people who donated their time, their money, their materials and now dedicating new brewing just to Lime Rock Park to launch a new series of beers, all of which is going to happen beneath this fantastic new pavilion, making a better experience for fans all throughout the year, not just at these big events. 

“This kind of beautiful permanent structure accentuates the message we are trying to send that we are the highest quality, the most beautiful facility in the Northeast, if not in the entire country,” Riegel continued. “We really celebrate the fact that we are a park here, so to have an open air, Country Carpenters-built pavilion that is a statement all in itself.”

Nestled on the entrance of Spectator Hill, overlooking Big Bend, the pavilion combines classic post-and-beam New England charm with the bold spirit of craft beer culture.

“It means so much to provide this to The Park and partner with them,” said Third-Generation Country Carpenters Officer Roger Barrett III. “To see it standing here, and see people enjoying it, is a real sense of achievement.”

Guests enjoyed a first taste of Foolproof’s flagship Ocean State brews and small-batch offerings, marking the start of a multi-year partnership that designates Foolproof as the Official Craft Beer of Lime Rock Park. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to join Lime Rock Park as their Official Craft Beer Partner,” said Spencer Churchill, Director of Operations at Foolproof Brewing Company. “At Foolproof, we pride ourselves on creating unique, high-quality craft beers that bring people together, something that aligns perfectly with the energy and community spirit of Lime Rock Park.”

Across the paddock, the next generation of motorsports professionals were also taking center stage. More than 250 students, parents and educators gathered as part of the Winner’s Circle Project, a non-profit STEAM education program that brings classroom learning into the fast lane. This year’s group of students spent the academic year building Factory Five race cars from the ground up, creating full-scale marketing plans, designing team branding and learning the inner workings of a motorsports business.

Their efforts were on proud display Friday, as six custom-built cars lined the paddock and students presented their campaigns to industry judges. Three-time Trans Am champion Chris Dyson, a longtime supporter of the program, returned to the track to take students’ vehicles for celebratory laps around the historic circuit, all six cars came back into the pits under their own power. 

Only six tenths of a point separated first from second place, but the overall presentation from Owego Free Academy from Owego, New York, gave them the narrow victory over Roy C. Ketcham High School of Wappingers Falls, New York. All six cars will be auctioned off to raise money for the program.

“Winner’s Circle Project is about the future, developing the next-generation of motorsport workforce and racing community,” said Dyson. “It’s really important for me to give back. This is a sport and community that’s given me so much fulfilment and joy in my life, to be able to utilize that experience and take that exposure, give it to a whole new group of kids who have never even thought about the opportunity that the sport and automotive industry presents, it’s extremely gratifying to me.”

Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series held four sessions, two testing and two official practices, on Friday. On the rainy opening day of action, Gian Buffomante and Thomas Annunziata were the quickest in the weekend’s two official practice sessions.

Practice 1 Top Five:
1. Gian Buffomante, No. 95 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (58.831)
2. Julian DaCosta, No. 30 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (59.281)
3. Boris Said Jr., No. 60 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry (1:00.282)
4. Will Robinson, No. 51 Mike Cope Race Cars LLC Ford Mustang (1:01.277)

Fastest in Pro/Am Challenge:
1. Cale Phillips, No. 99 Mincey’s Graphics/SNP Inc. Ford Mustang (59.779)

Practice 2 Top Five:
1. Thomas Annunziata, No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry (59.220)
2. Mike Skeen, No. 2 Guthrie’s Garage Chevrolet Camaro (59.464)
3. Noah Harmon, No. 7 Streetside Classics/Flanagan’s Chevrolet Camaro (59.786)
4. Rafa Matos, No. 57 Concord American Flagpole/SHR Chevrolet Camaro (59.810)
5. Tristan McKee, No. 28 Spire/Gainbridge/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro (1:00.141)

Fastest in Pro/Am Challenge:
1. Barry Boes, No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro (1:00.326)

Full results can be found here: https://gotransam.com/standings/

Saturday’s highlight is the 100-mile showdown featuring the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, with Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers battling on the original 1.53-mile circuit.

While Lime Rock Park offers free admission to every major event for active military, veterans and Gold Star families with military ID, The Park is extending free admission to four immediate family members who accompany those who’ve served.

For tickets, full schedule and event details, visit limerock.com/events/memorial-day-classic.