Fast Track Racing, the two-time TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School TCX team champions, brings two strong BMW M2 CS (Cup) sports cars to the NOLA Motorsports Park this weekend (April 28-30) for Rounds 3 and 4 with new series competitors, Adam Gleason and Maddie Aust, at the controls.
With series champion Jacob Ruud guiding the Fast Track Racing team to the coveted TCX titles in 2021 and 2022, the Texas-based squad collected 17 wins during the first two TCX campaigns as they prepared the No. 21 Megawatt/Sewell Automotive BMW M2 CS machine for former karting racer Adam Gleason and the No. 09 Sewell Automotive/Motul BMW M2 CS car for current Formula 4 competitor Maddie Aust.
Gleason put in an impressive performance in his TCX debut last month at Sonoma Raceway with two fourth-place finishes against a veteran TCX field on the tricky Sonoma road circuit. Now, Adam comes to another track that is new to him, but with Zac Anderson coaching, he feels confident he will quickly be at race pace.
Aust, a high school senior in her second pro racing season, makes her TCX debut at NOLA, but has already shown a fast pace in test sessions in Texas. The former national cheer champion has been working well with the experienced Fast Track Racing crew as she prepares for the two 40-minute sprint races this weekend.
“We have prided our team in developing young drivers for many years,” said Toby Grahovec, the Fast Track team manager and former TC America series champion. “Jacob Ruud set a great standard in the first two seasons of the TCX class with 17 wins and two championships with our BMW M2 CS car. So, we are excited to continue the development with Adam and Maddie in our BMWs. We see potential in both drivers and look forward to working with them this year.”
Gleason enjoyed his first race weekend with Fast Track Racing last month at Sonoma and proved a strong pace with his new mount. Now he sets his sights on a circuit he knows.
“Since Sonoma, I’ve worked on race craft with Toby and new teammate Maddie,” said Gleason, a Dallas businessman when not racing. “We did a lot of practice starts and Toby brought out his bag of tricks more than once to sneak by me. I’ve learned a ton from him.
“I’m super happy with the pace I had at Sonoma and energized to attack at NOLA. Later this year, we’ll be racing at tracks I’ve driven before and expect to really turn up the wick as the season goes on. My biggest concern about NOLA is finding a solid vegetarian gumbo. Is that even a thing?!”
Aust, 18, spent her rookie racing year in the formula cars, but did compete in several SCCA events with the BMW M2 sports car recently. Now, the blonde racer will compete in both the Formula 4 and TC America road racing series this year.
“I have had a great time in testing with the Fast Track team and the BMW M2,” said Aust. “I have learned a lot with the sports car after racing with the formula car. The BMW is so solid and stable compared to the Formula 4 car. I have to continue to use the devices available in the BMW to improve the handling of the car. Toby and the team have been excellent to work with in that aspect. We have run many laps at the Eagles Canyon track in Texas and I’m looking forward to the NOLA track. I have raced there before.”
Gleason, Aust and the Fast Track Racing team will take to the NOLA Motorsports Park 2.748-mile, 17-turn circuit on Friday, April 28, with two practice rounds scheduled for 10:05 a.m. CDT and 2:30 p.m. CDT. Qualifying is set for Saturday at 9:50 a.m. CDT with the first 40-minute TCX race getting underway at 1:55 p.m. CDT. Sunday’s Race 2 will begin at 8:30 a.m. CDT.
Both TC America TCX 40-minute races can be viewed live on the www.tcamerica.tv website with a TCX highlight package being telecast on CBS Sports Network in the near future.