Twentieth Century Fox 'The Predator' Burtin Racing Chevrolet Camaro and Tomy Drissi Celebrate Victory at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Burtin Racing driver Tomy Drissi and The Predator Chevrolet Camaro secured the Trans Am race win at Watkins Glen International Raceway with teammate Lawrence Loshak right behind in his No. 2 Pennzoil/ETE/GoShare Camaro in second place. The result marks back-to-back wins for Burtin Racing at The Glen, with Andy Lally winning the 2017 Trans Am race in the GoShare Camaro.

Burtin Racing's 1-2 finish is significant in that it represents the first time a Trans Am team has scored a 1-2 finish at "The Glen" since 1995 when Ron Fellows led home teammate Jamie Galles at the historic New York circuit.

Drissi's come-from-behind win was a timely boost for the Burtin Racing featured partner Twentieth Century Fox and The Predator movie.  Drissi's Camaro turned heads at the event with its distinctive The Predator movie livery and attracted a lot of attention and a large crowd of spectators. The sensational action feature reboot can only be seen in theaters and is due to be released on Friday, September 14. Humans won't be the only prey for the aliens in The Predator. A clip released by the studio just a few days ago offered the best look so far at the genetically modified, supersized hunter that will debut in the film — and will apparently hunt other Predators. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race!

"The win this weekend with The Predator car was definitely one for the history books," stated Tomy Drissi, Burtin Racing driver. "I'm really excited about the film, and I think it'll be one of the season's best Blockbusters. People really need to get off the couch, get out to the theaters and see this movie! I love it when a plan comes together and to win at The Glen in The Predator - doesn't get much better than this!"

The Burtin Racing cars, as they have done all season, demonstrated quick pace in practice and qualifying. A time of 1:48:179 in Friday's key qualifying session put Hollywood, CA driver Tomy Drissi in sixth place on the grid – three spots behind his teammate Lawrence Loshak whose time of 1:47:193 was less than two hundredths of a second behind his rival for the 2018 Trigon Trophy, Ernie Francis, Jr.

A highly eventful race got underway late Saturday morning. An unexpected pit stop on the first lap brought Loshak and the Pennzoil Camaro down pit lane. The Burtin Racing team quickly cleaned off the front grille and Loshak remained on the lead lap and made an excellent charge of the field. Polesitter Boris Said, in the Dodge Challenger, was early to drop out due to a wheel bearing issue. Championship leader Ernie Francis also saw trouble early, the No. 98 Ford Mustang had problems with an oil pump belt while in the lead. In a race where the lead changed hands four times, it was the durability of the Burtin Racing cars that saw them emerge victorious. The No. 8 The Predator Chevrolet Camaro took the lead on Lap 22 and held it through to see the checkered flag.

"It's been a while since I've been here," said Tomy Drissi, Burtin Racing The Predator Camaro driver. "Last time at Watkins Glen I clinched the championship with a second place finish, but it was a bit of a catch-22. I was so happy but, at the same time I lost that race by so little. I wasn't sure that I'd ever get a shot at this again. Now Trans Am is back at The Glen, and I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself. The start of the race was just crazy and I probably could have pressed my advantage, but I decided to lay back and play it slow—see what happens. I hate it for the guys that ended up having trouble, especially Boris; he was so fast."

Drissi continued, "My teammate, Lawrence Loshak – that might go down as one of the coolest races between two drivers. I was faster in some places, but he was faster in others. He could have shook me loose or got into my quarter panel, but he didn't. There was respect there, and I owe him one. I want to see him get some wins coming up; he doesn't need my help—he's pretty quick. My hats off to Trans Am, Watkins Glen and my family, Lacy and the kids, thank you all."

For Lawrence Loshak the second place finish, after a first lap pit stop to clear grass from the grill of the No. 2 Pennzoil/ETE/GoShare Camaro, made way for his amazing recovery in a charge up the field. This impressive drive earned him the COOLSHIRT 'Cool Move of the Race' Award. Loshak now sits second place in the championship points, only 28 behind Francis.

Team principal Claudio Burtin was also understandably jubilant after the first ever 1-2 race result for his team, "I couldn't be happier. It's no more than we have deserved for all the hard work we've put in this year and over recent seasons, but for it all to come together – and at The Glen – is a dream come true. I'm immensely proud of everyone associated with Burtin Racing."

Burtin Racing's next event is at Virginia International Raceway.  To coincide with Round 9 of the 2018 Trans Am presented by Pirelli Championship, Burtin Racing is hosting a special event at the Range in Alton, Virginia. Thursday, September 20 from 7pm to 10pm, Trans Am participants are invited to a night of skeet shooting and target practice, cigars, dinner and drinks.

CBS Sports will air the Ryan Companies Road America Classic, the race preceding Watkins Glen, which will broadcast on Sunday, September 16 at 2pm ET.

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli race at Watkins Glen International will feature a recap show on the CBS Sports Network on Sunday, September 23 at 2pm ET.

Keep up to date will all the action from Burtin Racing at burtinracing.com. 

SOURCE Burtin Racing