ALTON, VA (Saturday, August 24, 2024) – The home track at VIR was not advantageous for Team TGM in today’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix.
Going into the weekend, Matt Plumb held a 200-point lead in the overall driver and team championships, however, an incident at midway in the 2-hour race left the Aston Martin Vantage with extensive damage.
Co-driver Paul Holton had a fairly seamless first half of the race, starting in fourth position and handing the car over to Plumb. Unfortunately, Plumb came together with another Aston Martin, and the subsequent damage forced the Team TGM crew back to the paddock for repairs.
Plumb would eventually rejoin the race several laps down but was able to sustain IMSA’s official minimum race pace. With other cars dropping out, the No 46 car finished in 15th position. Plumb holds onto the lead in the championship with two races remaining in the season, however with a slim 30-point lead.
The sister No. 64 car finished just behind in 16th position.
“For all that we couldn’t control today, we did ok with the things we could. I had a fairly good stint, but we struggled with the car late in the race,” said team owner Ted Giovanis.
“The team overcame many challenges throughout the weekend, and I’m very proud of everyone for their extra effort, especially in getting Matt back out on the track for those all-important points.
“Today might not have been our day. However, we still have two chances to close this thing out. We’ll regroup and go to Indy where we ran well last year. Then it’s onto Road Atlanta which is our race shop neighbor, so truly our home track and everyone’s favorite.
“Hugh and I are so happy to have clinched the Bronze Cup championship at the last race and have that secure. Our efforts are all on the 46 car and trying to clinch the overall driver and team championships. Although the margin may have shrunk, we’re still leading and plan to stay there.
“On a weekend when we’ve launched the #drivingresearch campaign I wish we had done better on track. However, I’m proud of what our research group has done to impact cancer and the team will continue to promote the platform.”
Next up for Team TGM is Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120, September 21st.
Team TGM has a great points day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
SPEEDWAY, IN (Saturday, September 21, 2024) - A fourth-place finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gives Team TGM’s Matt Plumb an increased cushion in the championship points battle with only one race remaining. Plumb and teammate Paul Holton finished fourth today...
Gallery: Indianapolis Race
A strong day on track in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for Team TGM has the team departing with a boost in its championship points lead after Indianapolis.Ted Giovanis the author FOCUS FORWARD: Life lessons from racing Life comes at you fast when you’re traveling 180...
Gallery: Indianapolis Friday Practice
"The Racing Capital of the World" - Welcome to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Day 1 of action for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for the Team TGM Aston Martin squad.Ted Giovanis the author FOCUS FORWARD: Life lessons from racing Life comes at you fast when you’re...
Ted Giovanis
“We had kind of a rough day, but all-in-all, I think the individual pieces of it went well. If I do say so myself, I drove a pretty decent stint and had times that were actually faster in the race than my qualifying. I gave the car in a good position to Hugh, but we had some issues with our car. We did everything we could to help the 46 car – they got tapped but they were able to come back out and score some all-important points. So we lick our wounds, head onto Indy, and take it from there.”
Paul Holton
“A tough day here at VIR. What you would call a character-building day. The 46 car got taken out on a restart, and the 64 car encountered some problems late in the race, but they still won the Bronze category. Like I said, it was a character-building day, but this team is an incredibly professional organization and is functioning at an exceptionally high level right now, so I’m super happy to be here. I know everyone is excited to keep going for the rest of the year. We’re looking forward to the next race at Indy, and we will get them there.”
Ted Giovanis the author
FOCUS FORWARD: Life lessons from racing
Life comes at you fast when you’re traveling 180 miles per hour. For Ted Giovanis, it’s also where you can learn the most valuable lessons. Since becoming a race car driver three decades ago at age forty-six—a ride that is still in overdrive—Giovanis has discovered how the tools of racing and the teamwork within it are applicable to life and business. In forty-eight motivating and, at times, exhilarating chapters, he shares his experience and knowledge.
