AUSTIN, Texas – As team manager of the Texas-based Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW team, Toby Grahovec knew the importance of a strong showing at his racing organization’s home racetrack, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), this weekend in the SRO America sports car competition as the 2020 racing campaign comes to a close.
As a racing driver, Grahovec knew the importance of getting to the top step of the COTA winner’s circle in the doubleheader action on the popular 3.426-mile, 20-turn road circuit east of Austin. The 2016 TC America series champion is on the quest for another title when he entered Friday and Saturday’s 40-minute sprint events in his No. 26 ClassicBMW.com BMW M240iR sports car.
Toby left little doubt of his intentions to reach victory lane in the weekend’s opening TC America contest, as the Celina, Tex., veteran won the pole position and dominated the 17-lap TC feature with a 12.571-second triumph over his series rival, James Clay in the No. 36 Bimmerworld BMW M240iR.
“It’s amazing to get the win on Classic BMW’s home soil,” said Grahovec, who entered the COTA weekend coming off a sensational come-from-behind win at Road America. “The 2020 season has been difficult with COVID-19 four-month layoff, but our Fast Track Racing team did a great job preparing a strong BMW for me. It’s tremendous to have Eric (Maas, team owner) and Classic BMW folks on hand for this win. Thanks so much for their support.”
Grahovec returned on Saturday to drive his No. 26 BMW M240iR to another podium performance, finishing third in the second TC America 40-minute sprint race.
With the final two 2020 TC America races set for the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Oct. 2-3, Grahovec now ranks second in the TC class point standings. The Oct. 2 race begins at 9:20 a.m. EDT with the Oct. 3 event set for 11:10 a.m. EDT.
Joining Grahovec in the Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW team this weekend at COTA was veteran Phil Bloom, who took the No. 11 ClassicBMW.com BMW M240iR machine to two impressive fourth place finishes after a layoff from the regular TC America events. The Massachusetts driver just missed get to the winner’s circle podium (Top-3) in both TC contests.
Also competing for the Fast Track Racing effort was 17-year-old Bryson Lew of Moraga, Calif., who was making his first racing appearance at the famed COTA facility. The high school student drove the No. 27 ClassicBMW.com BMW M240iR car to a seventh-place finish in the tough TC America action.
Highlights from the TC America racing at COTA will be televised on the CBS Sports Network on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. EDT with an encore showing on Sept. 25 at 12:30 a.m. EDT.