Teenager Meza Is Austin TA2 Master

AUSTIN, Texas — The CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series season finale at Circuit of The Americas was the most exciting of the year, with multiple changes for the lead and tight battles within the top five.

Following a heated battle with Australian TA2 Champion Nathan Herne, it was 17-year-old Helio Meza who took the win in his Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli debut when the checkered flag waved at the Mission Foods COTA SpeedTour.

When the green flag waved, first-place starter Meza checked out in his No. 27 Alessandros Racing/Chevrolet/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro, accruing a nearly six-second lead by lap 10. However, fifth-place starter Nathan Herne (No. 15 Owosso Speedway/Blue Gold Industries Toyota Camry) had worked his way into the runner-up position, and began to chip away at Meza’s lead as he set faster and faster lap times.

Meanwhile, Tristan McKee had worked his way up from a 15th-place starting spot in class, and was challenging third-place Thomas Merrill (No. 26 HP Tuners/Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro) and fourth-place Brody Goble (No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford Lincoln Ford Mustang).

On lap 18, Herne was able to complete the pass on Meza, but by lap 20, Meza had reclaimed the first position. The fight between Merrill, Goble and McKee was wild, with McKee finally passing both to take over third. A few laps later, Herne experienced a fuel-pump issue and was forced to retire, moving McKee into the runner-up spot. Goble held tight to his rear bumper, while Merrill was passed by Sam Corry (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry). Once settled, the top five remained the same until the checkered flag waved, with Meza claiming his first-career victory.

After clinching the TA2 Championship at Barber Motorsports Park last month, McKee finished second, and Goble rounded out the podium in his first National start. Corry finished fourth, and Merrill finished fifth.

Brody Goble finished on the podium in his first-career National Championship start. Goble is a two-time champion in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship, winning his second title this season. He is the first driver to win two Western TA2 titles.

With his win today, Jared Odrick clinched the Pro/Am Challenge title over Keith Prociuk. After retiring from his career as a defensive end in the NFL, Odrick turned to motor racing. This is his second season in the class and first title. Odrick won four races this year en route to the championship.

Kyle Kelley took the victory in the Western Championship race, scoring his second-consecutive win at COTA and the third win of his career.

“I don’t even know where to start,” said Meza. “I’m just super grateful for this opportunity. I remember walking around in the paddock and seeing my buddy Connor Zilisch race two years ago, and I didn’t know if I’d get the opportunity to be racing in the series. I’m super grateful to be on the other side of the net, behind the wheel, and wouldn’t think I’d be in Victory Lane here. I can’t thank Chevrolet, Josh Wise and Scott Lagasse Racing enough.

“Thank you to all my family who came out. I’m from Houston, Texas, so a lot of my family is here. Family, friends, and people that I grew up racing with, as well. There are so many people that make it possible for me to be where I’m at today, so couldn’t be more grateful, and I can’t wait to see what’s in the future.”

As the tightest championship battle going into this weekend, lots was weighing on the results of the Pro/Am Challenge race. Fortunately for Jared Odrick, who came into this weekend nine points behind Keith Prociuk, the day went entirely in his favor. Odrick started second in his No. 00 Black Underwear/CoolBoxx Chevrolet Camaro, but took over the lead from John Atwell (No. 02 XRC/DFW Concrete/AJ Lab Portal Ford Mustang) on lap three.

Once he had the point position, Odrick never looked back, leading the remainder of the race. Austin local Atwell finished second, and Prociuk (No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang) crossed the finish line third. With his victory, Odrick earned the Pro/Am Challenge title.

Starting second in class, Mia Lovell (No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) quickly passed first-place starter Seamus McKendree (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and led the first 14 laps of the race.

Behind her, McKendree spun his car, resulting in him falling to the back of the running order. On lap 15, Lovell suffered from power steering issues, forcing her early retirement. This allowed third-place starter Kyle Kelley (No. 80 UPR.com/PKK Motorsports Ford Mustang) to inherit the lead, which he maintained until the checkered flag, earning his first victory of the season and second in a row at Circuit of The Americas.

“Today was a whole lot of staying out of trouble the best you could, and trying not to get too aggressive,” said Kelley. “We had a small incident down the straightaway, but I think both parties involved there managed. Toward the end of the race, we started trying to catch some of the National guys to see what we could do. I think we were in the mid to high 13s on the last couple laps of the race; the car was feeling good, and we were just going for it.”