# 41 Vinnie Allegretta scores 2nd in TA points as 2017 season wraps up at Daytona

The bigger story (for Corvette racing fans) is that Vinnie Allegretta amassed the points to finish 2nd vs # 98 Ernie Francis Jr who was “lights out” all season in winning 10 races. 

Vinnie beat long time contestants # 23 Amy Ruman and # 59 Simon Gregg who also ran the full schedule but trailed 3rd and 4th in the points standings.

And he beat flashier rivals racing under the Tony Ave banner like # 4 Paul Fix and # 8 Tomy Drissi who missed races for various reasons.

Drissi took off like a rocket at the start confounding many.  Rain was in the area and by sending him out on wet tires, the Ave crew figured an aggressive driver like him would build a big enough advantage to hold the lead by the time it came to pit for slicks.  A full course caution and the track going dry earlier than expected tore both his tires and the plan to shreds. 

The Ave crew worked all night to repair damage from a practice crash the previous day.  Drissi turned the fastest lap nonetheless and finished 5th.

The always fast Florida local # 06 J.R. Lopez came through for 2nd.

Stand-in Steve Kent Jr in the # 15 Blaise Csida Corvette had 2nd place locked up before his power steering belt failed with only a few laps to go.

As reported elsewhere, # 44 A.J. Henriksen & Adam Andretti opted to race their EEC Corvette in the HSR Classic 24 also at Daytona and winning their class.

Results compiled by Wayne Ellwood

Thanks to Larry Van Scoy and Chris Clark for photos.

Trans Am trends

Front end downforce for Cadillac and Camaro bodied cars by ACP seems to work better than for the C7.  A number of drivers have switched.  Only a lack of money appears to be stopping some others.

Brainerd and NJMP are off the schedule due to low turnout of drivers and fans.  The Road Atlanta race gains stature running with SVRA on Easter weekend.  Trans Am leads FARA at the Homestead date.

Be sure to follow our reports starting March 2, 2018 at Sebring.