RJ Lopez, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, scored his first career victory in SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series competition this weekend at the Honda Indy Toronto. Starting from P4 on the grid, Lopez, in his #6 Disco 106/ECR Engines/Goodyear Corvette translated a Lap 3 incident involving Tomy Drissi, into a second place position.
Pole sitter Drissi and second place starter, Amy Ruman, came together when Drissi suffered a flat tire. The incident also promoted Tony Ave to first place in the running. Lopez pursued Ave for eleven laps of the 1.75-mile street circuit. Lopez out-braked Ave at the end of "Thunder Alley" - a 170 mph straight - into the 40-mph Turn 3. From there, Lopez managed to stay ahaead of Ave for the balance of the time-shortened race.
Barely able to restrain himslef, Lopez was delighted with the result. "Honestly, it's about time, but it feels awesome," Lopez said. "If there was any place to do it, it's right here in front of the biggest crowds. I love this place. Toronto is just awesome. In front of the IndyCar guys, it's great. To be ahead of Tony Ave is just awesome. He's won the last three races and to be able to beat him, to finish first ahead of him is just killer."
Lopez has been a steady contender throughout the season, logging four consecutive podium finishes at the season's start. His victory cut short the developing win streak of Tony Ave, who won the last three Trans Am races in convincing fashion. Ave had expressed doubts about the car for this race, but brought it home in second place regardless.
After starting from P2, Kent, OH native, Amy Ruman, took the final step on the podium after recovering from an early incident. Her #23 McNichols/Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette made it a 1-2-3 finish for America's sports car, as well as Ruman's second podium finish in three starts. She finished second at Road America last month.
Past series champion, Tomy Drissi, ended the race in fifth place after cutting a tire early on. Drissi stands third in the championship points with 636 points, following Lopez with 677 and Ave with 752.
The SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series will gather again at Autobahn Country Club, in Joliet, IL, on Sunday, August 1 for the next round of Trans Am competition.
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