Flat Tire on Final Lap Plucks Connor Zilisch from Podium Finish; Two Flat Tires Ruin Solid Top-10 Bid by Rookie Ben Maier

Overview

Date: July 9, 2023

Event: 3-Dimensional Services Group 100 (Round 8 of 13)

Series: Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli

Division: Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers TA2 Series

Location: Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Layout: 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course

Format: 25 laps or 75 minutes

Weather: Partly cloudy, mid-70s

Winner: Brent Crews of Nitro Motorsports

Silver Hare Racing:

  • Connor Zilisch – Started 13th, Finished 16th (Running, completed 24/25 laps)
  • Ben Maier – Started 25th, Finished 21st (Running, completed 23/25 laps)

Connor Zilisch, Driver, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro:

“Frustrating end to what was going to be a really good race. We were running third on the last lap there and blew the left rear (tire). That was just unfortunate. I hate it for all the guys who worked so hard this weekend to give me a good piece. We qualified 13th, I was struggling all weekend long, and we finally got something that I was able to drive and work my way up. I just hate that we blew a tire on the last lap there and killed our chance. This track’s so cool and it would’ve been cool to be on the podium here. But that’s racing and we’ll move on to Nashville and keep our confidence up and know that we could’ve been on the podium today. I just hate it for all the guys at Silver Hare. They worked so hard to bring me a fast car and it’s unfortunate something like that took us out.”

Ben Maier, Driver, No. 75 Gel Blaster/Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro:

“It’s not the best ending we could’ve had. I was running really well and making up positions, running the best times I had all weekend. We just need a little more luck. It’s happened three races in a row, either getting taken out of the race by tires or somebody else out there. It’s not what I would like to see. I was hoping to finish that one out because it was going to be a pretty good finish even after the first flat tire. The second time, I was making up positions and still on the lead lap, but then the tire popped again in the exact same spot. This track is really fun. It just wasn’t the best way to leave here after my first experience. I had a fun time in practice and before all the stuff happened in the race.”

Maurice Hull, Co-Owner, Silver Hare Racing:

“It was an excellent run by both drivers, just unfortunate tire issues for both. It’s disappointing to run so well and finish where we did, but I’m very proud of their attitude. I’m very proud of the way our team handled it. These are difficult circumstance, but we’ll get through it and we will be better. I’m just disappointed right now.”

Next Up

Round nine of the 2023 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers TA2 Series takes Silver Hare Racing to the downtown streets of Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 4-5, for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. A pair of TA2 practice sessions kick off the weekend on the 2.17-mile, 12-turn street circuit Friday, Aug. 4. TA2 qualifying takes place Saturday morning, Aug. 5, with the 46-lap, 75-minute race set for 3:45 that afternoon. Live television coverage of Saturday’s race will be provided by MAVTV, and live-streaming video coverage will be provided by the Trans Am Series and SpeedTourTV channels on YouTube.

-Silver Hare Racing-