Munroe Falls, Ohio – The Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli is heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend for Round 5 of the TA National Class Championship. The Series returns to the racing capital of the world, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), home of the Indianapolis 500, after a three-year hiatus.
A few short weeks ago at the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park, CT, Ruman garnered a fifth-place TA class finish after suffering a mechanical issue with just 5-laps to go in the race. “We were disappointed we had a mechanical at Lime Rock after running well. It was an easy fix back at the shop, so we are ready to roll this weekend at Indy. It feels great to be back racing at the most famous track in the world! It should be a fun filled Father’s Day weekend and should be spectacular show for the fans!” stated Ruman.
The two-time TA Champion Ruman is focused on a podium finish this weekend in the No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette. In 2019 at IMS, Ruman took home a fourth-place finish and in 2018 graced the podium in second place. The weather forecast is looking sunny and warm, which will make a great weekend for spectating. Drivers will run on the IMS 2.439-mile Grand Prix road course using part of the oval and part of the road course.
The team is pleased to add new associate sponsor Valley Automotive Group part of The Chevy Network for the upcoming races at Indianapolis and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The Valley Automotive Group is a leading car and truck dealership network with locations throughout Ohio and Michigan. “We could not think of a better person to sponsor than Amy. Amy embodies the positive, hardworking, never-quit attitude of our companies and she is a fantastic ambassador to the sport! We are excited to get our sponsorship off the ground with Amy and Ruman Racing and are surely excited to see her take the checkered flag at Indy, and our continued partnership as she continues to build on her success in the Trans Am Series!” exclaimed Christopher O’Donnell, Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President of the Valley Automotive Group. “I am thrilled to carry the Valley Automotive banner on the No.23! They are a terrific family-owned Ohio based company and have supported us many times in the past. We are grateful for their partnership once again,” remarked Ruman.
The Trans Am PR team caught up with Amy Ruman and asked what role her father Bob Ruman, former Trans Am Driver, played in her racing career. “What a fitting way to spend Father’s Day weekend – at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Racing Capital of the World! I can’t thank him enough for being such a great role model and inspiration to me throughout my life. I am fortunate to have worked side by side with my dad in business and in racing. His love of the Trans Am Series, Corvettes, and racing set the tone for where I wanted to be. I have learned so much from him and can’t thank him enough for his tireless efforts from working on the car, data, engineering, coaching, and even body work,” laughed Ruman. “Without his unconditional love, encouragement, and support, I wouldn’t be a Champion!”
The Series will run in conjunction with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) and their popular Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational this Father’s Day weekend as part of the 2023 SpeedTour. There are 21 competitors entered for this weekend’s TA/GT feature race, with eleven entered in Ruman’s TA class. Cars will hit the track Thursday and Friday testing, practice, and qualifying. The TA/GT race will be at 11:00amET – the race will be 42-laps (102-mi). Visit gotransam.com, speedtour.net, svra.com for tickets, schedules, and all other weekend information.
Entering Round 5, Chris Dyson is leading TA National class championship with 389 points, followed by Matthew Brabham in second – 379, Tomy Drissi in third – 333, David Pintaric is fourth – 318, and Amy Ruman sits in fifth – with 307 points.
LIVE STREAMING AND MAVTV COVERAGE OF THE TRANS AM SEASON: The entire lineup of 2023 SpeedTour will LIVE stream for FREE! Fans can watch from anywhere on a variety of social media platforms including SpeedTour.TV, the Trans Am Facebook page, and YouTube channels SpeedTourTV and the Trans Am Series. Trans Am races will then air in a one-hour format on the Thursday nights after each of the 12 National Championship event weekends. The 60-minute feature shows will be broadcast to MAVTV’s 22-million North American linear households and 175 million connected devices. The Thursday-night primetime slot will include a two-hour block of racing, with the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2® Series airing at 8:00 p.m. ET and the TA/XGT/SGT/GT class race airing at 9:00 p.m. ET. The block will be capped off by the 30-minute Showtime Motorsports docuseries, Road to Glory. Read Trans Am’s 2023 Broadcast Package with MAVTV official announcement here.
SPONSOR: McNICHOLS CO. is the nation’s largest distributor of Perforated and Expanded Metals; Wire Mesh; Bar, Plank, and Safety Gratings; Stair Treads; Matting; and more. Products are carried in all styles and materials–stocked for 24-hour shipment. “Inspired to Serve”™ 800.237.3820 | mcnichols.com | sales@mcnichols.com
For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow us on all social media! Twitter: @rumanracing, @mcnicholsco, and @gotransam. Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, and The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli.
Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.
