WATKINS GLEN — Twenty-two years after making his first-career start at Watkins Glen International in the NASCAR Cup Series, Paul Menard finally took the checkered flag at the historic racetrack in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s 50th race at The Glen. After rolling off third in his No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang, the 2024 champion made the pass for the lead on lap 17 and was engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with Adam Andretti (No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro) until the checkered flag waved.
When the green flag waved, polesitter Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) was immediately passed on the outside by second-place Andretti, who shot out to a massive 10-car length lead. Andretti nurtured his multi-second advantage for the first nine laps while Menard fought with Dyson for the second position. On lap 10, Menard made the pass on Dyson and slowly began to hunt down Andretti. Andretti’s gap began to shrink, and on lap 17, Andretti made a mistake on the exit of the boot, allowing Menard to get by. For the remaining 13 laps, Andretti was on Menard’s bumper, attempting to regain the point position, but when the race reached its conclusion, it was Menard who drove into GYM WEED Winners Circle, followed by Andretti and Dyson. Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro) finished fourth, and Amy Ruman (No. 7 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Camaro) finished fifth in a car borrowed from Drissi Motorsports following a crash in testing which heavily damaged her Corvette.
Notes of Interest
Paul Menard earned his 11th-career Trans Am victory in the series’ 50th start at Watkins Glen International. The victory was Menard’s fourth of the season.
The 2024 champion won for the first time at Watkins Glen International. He has been competing at the track since 2003 in NASCAR’s top-three series.
Menard has made 28 previous starts at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series and one in the Trans Am Series. Before today, his best finish was second in both Trans Am and Xfinity.
Menard leaves the track with the points lead and a 31-point advantage over Adam Andretti.
Adam Andretti scored his sixth podium in eight races this season. He is tied with Menard for the most podium finishes in 2025.
“It’s great to be back in the Trans Am Series at Watkins Glen, one of my favorite racetracks,” said Menard. “It’s just a bad-ass racetrack, and I told Adam [Andretti], we just did 100 miles of qualifying. We were on it every single lap. The car held up; I got a little loose at the end. We had a tough weekend; we battled a lot of different gremlins and my boys put it all together for the race. The car was just solid all race. On to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. I love that track up there; another bad-ass, high-speed track. Adam is keeping us honest in the points and we’ll keep at it.”
TA Top Five
1. Paul Menard, No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang
2. Adam Andretti, No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro
3. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang
4. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro
5. Amy Ruman, No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette
SGT Results
For the seventh time this season, Joshua Carlson in the No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang dominated the SGT class. He was the fastest competitor in practice, qualifying and the race, and he led every lap. Ray Mason (No. 00 Alloy Employer Services Ford Mustang) showed quick pace, crossing the finish line second, and 2022 champion Milton Grant (No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1) finished third.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Carlson on the podium. “We led the whole weekend in practice, qualifying, and the race. I’d like to thank Enseva. Without them, I wouldn’t be racing this weekend. I had a lot of fun racing with Milton [Grant] and Ray [Mason]. I hope to see them out at the next race.”
SGT Top 51. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang
2. Ray Mason, No. 00 Alloy Employer Services Ford Mustang
3. Milton Grant, No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1 Mustang