EMOTIONAL WIN FOR DYSON IN DRENCHED TRANS AM RACE BY HV NEWS STAFF Winning at his home track Mustang, and was twice as sweet for Chris won the Motul Dyson in Saturday’s Trans Am Pole Award in Memorial Day Classic at Lime Friday’s rainy -Rock Park. The resident of qualifier race. nearby Poughkeepsie, New York, The race led every lap for his second Trans began with Am Series presented by Pirelli rain pouring victory of the season, while pole down the front sitter Ernie Francis Jr., his closest straight. Using rival for the championship, failed a move that he to finish after a mechanical issue. learned from Dyson led every lap at Lime legendary Rock for the second-consecutive race (he won in 2019), scoring his driver Butch eighth career victory in the No. Leitzinger, 20 ATWELL CBD Ford Mustang Dyson went Dyson's race car. Photo by David Livshin IMAGES in a race that began in the rain to the outside in Turn 1 on the and ended on a drying track. opening lap to take the lead. tight, and spun off Chris’ (Dyson) at the checkered. Drissi’s clean “This means the world to me,” Francis did a 360-spin on the wet car. I got back going and was defense earned him the ChillOut Dyson said. “The conditions track and continued, although in moving through the field pretty Moment of the Race. were challenging, but Lime Rock eighth place. quick. I thought we had a car “I learned a lot today over the always puts an extra spring in my “I’ve had that move in my to fight for the win if we hada last few laps,” said Drissi. “My step, and it’s an unbelievable feat pocket,” said Dyson. “I watched caution. I came down the hill tires came in right away (after the to drive around this place in these use that move and lost oil pressure, and had to restart) and I got by Lally and I Trans Am cars at these speeds so many times here, and I’ve pull it off to save the motor. It’s was catching Dyson. I’m feeling and in these conditions, against been waiting years to use it.” really disappointing we couldn’t really good, but all of a sudden I the calibre of drivers in this field. Francis recovered quickly and get the finish we wanted for our see Dyson pick it up and Lally’s I’ve been coming here since I was worked his way up to third, setting sponsors, but we will come back right behind me. I learned a lot. a kid, it’s always been special to his sights on Dyson’s teammate, next time and do better.” Lally was very nice to me,” be part of this tradition. What a second-place Andy Lally in the With Francis gone, Dyson’s Lally was a late replacement day for the team – what a points No. 21 Amamos LaVida Tequilla biggest threat was the weather as for Humaid Masood in the No. day too! I think we’re just hitting Mustang. Francis finally got by the rain let off and the track began 21 Mustang, with the sports car our stride.” Lally entering No-Name Straight to dry over the final 25 laps. Ken veteran winning his lone prior on Lap 28. Lally dove to Thwaits hit the tire barrier at the Trans Am start at Watkins Glen the inside to regain the end of the front straight on Lap in 2017. position entering the final 50 in the No. 50 Franklin Road “It was fun,” Lally said. turn, with Francis coming Apparel Camaro to bring out the “With a drying track like that in to a rapid stop shortly first caution. Thwaits was able to these cars sliding around, to do thereafter before pulling continue after being extricated. battle with guys like Chris and off in Turn 1. Racing resumed on Lap 55 Tomy was pretty crazy. We had a “It’s been a very with less than eight minutes couple runs, but Tomy was smart unlucky weekend for remaining on the drying but with his lines on that last lap. We us, we’ve been kind of slippery circuit. Tomy Drissi were side-by-side in West Bend, struggling all season, passed Lally for second with and we picked up a lapped guy. . File photo. we are trying to shake seven laps remaining, and took Tomy used him as a pick, and that Francis Jr. entered the race with it off and get back on track,” second in the No. 8 Lucas Oil was that. Trans Am’s a fun group, a slim lead in the standings in the said Francis Jr. “I had a spin at Camaro. Drissi fended especially with this horsepower No. 98 Future Star Racing Ford the start, I pinched it down a bit off Lally down to the stripe, only in mixed conditions like today.” 0.315-seconds separated the pair THE HUDSON VALLEY NEWS • [email protected] • June 2-8, 2021 {13} •