CONCORD, N.C. — Tyler Kicera battled until the last lap for a victory in the Trans-Am Series presented by Pirelli TA2 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on Saturday afternoon.
While the start of the race seemed to be in Connor Mosack’s favor, Kicera took the lead just before halfway. A full-course caution near the end of the race bunched up the field for one final restart, leading to a competitive battle between Kicera and Mosack in the closing laps. Kicera was able to hold his lead through the last lap, when the caution flag waved once again for an incident on the frontstretch.
The event concluded with Kicera out front, trailed by Mosack, who earned his second-consecutive podium at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
After earning the Motul Pole Award in yesterday’s qualifying session, Mosack was off to a strong start in his No. 28 Nic Tailor/IFS-SLR/M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro. He led the first 22 laps of the 45-lap event before being challenged by Kicera’s No. 7 Liqui Moly/Turn 14 Distribution Camaro and passed for the lead.
Kicera led the field as the race remained green until lap 36 of 45, when a crash by Evan Slater’s No. 35 Cube 3 Architecture Mustang brought out the first full-course caution of the day. The field remained under yellow for cleanup until going green on lap 43. Kicera maintained his lead on the restart, but battled closely with Mosack in the remaining laps.
Unfortunately, time ran out for Mosack, and Kicera earned the checkered flag in the second round of the TA2 season. Mosack and Kicera were followed by Adam Andretti, who earned a podium spot in his No. 86 3Dimensional Services Group Mustang, followed by 2018 and 2021 series champion Rafa Matos and Robert Noaker.
“I’ve got to thank my Stevens-Miller Racing guys so much, they built a great car,” said Kicera. “I also want to thank Liqui Moly and Turn 14 Distribution for getting me in this car. I knew we would be strong today; I just didn’t know what kind of long run pace we’d have. I just worked on Connor [Mosack] and managed to get by him on the front straight getting into Turn 1, and I just started driving. It feels great to be back here. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the top step of the podium, and I’m super thrilled for everybody on our team.”