Brabham & CD Racing Back on Track with Strong Trans Am Win in Virginia

The competition was nipping at his heels all weekend, but on a punishingly hot and humid Sunday Matthew Brabham and his #16 GYM SODA Ford Mustang swept the board in the Trans Am by Pirelli race at Virginia International Raceway. It was a satisfying result for the series’ point-championship leader and his team after bad breaks in traffic cost Brabham a fifth consecutive series win earlier this month in Canada.“

This is the best car we’ve had all year,” Brabham said after climbing from his racecar in the winners circle. “Thanks to Chris (Dyson) and everyone on the team. We got pushed pretty hard, but I knew that we had a car we could win with.”

Brabham, who earlier in the day finished second in the TA2 race, admitted that the heat and humidity left him fatigued by the end of the TA race. “But it’s nothing a GYM SODA can’t fix,” The smiling race winner said.

The margin was close in qualifying, but Brabham won the pole (keeping his season-long perfect qualifying record intact), and despite being pressed all the way by Martin Ragginger, Brabham led the 100-mile event from flag-to-flag. Brabham scored maximum points for the weekend when he also set the race’s fastest lap on his way to his ninth win in the 11 races run so far this season.

This weekend’s triumph marked the second career Trans Am victory for Brabham at VIR; in 2022 he came from last on the grid after changing tires following qualifying to score a dramatic win for the CD Racing team.

Dyson, who was forced to miss all the race meet’s test and practice sessions due to business commitments, turned his first laps in the #20 GYM SODA / RACER Ford Mustang during Sunday morning’s 15-minute qualifying session. The three-time series champion started fifth, but got faster as the race went on, ultimately finishing fourth and setting his fastest time seven laps from the checker.

“Overall I’m happy with the result,” Dyson said. “Given that this car is now several seasons old and just doesn’t have the raw performance of the newer cars, I was pleased with my race. We’ve had so much success with this car over the years, but it really isn’t a potential winner anymore, to be honest. So I was realistic about what was possible out there today. My goal was to run 100 miles, on the car’s limit and mine, and get as close to the top 3 as possible. That’s what I did; as the fuel burned off we got faster and faster. It has been really good for me to be back in the car this summer."

"Matt is giving the team one of our most memorable seasons," Dyson added. "I couldn't be happier about the year the team has had, and we look forward to closing things out with another strong team effort in Austin."

Next: Circuit of the Americas

CD Racing has a strong record at COTA, where on the first weekend in November the 2026 Trans Am series concludes. In 2022 Dyson underlined his second championship with a win there then won the finale again in 2024. Brabham, who will bring a healthy championship lead to Texas, made his Trans Am debut at COTA five years ago, standing in for Dyson, and taking a dramatic, last-lap win. Last year, a combination of mechanical and weather issues forced Brabham to start last, but he powered through from the start, eventually winning by 15 seconds-- and setting the stage for the 2026 that was to come.

Click here for more on Chris Dyson Racing.

Circuit of the Americas Schedule

Qualifying takes place Saturday, November 7, 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT (4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET)

The 100-mile race takes the green flag Sunday, November 8, at 12:55 p.m. CT (1:55 p.m. ET)

Broadcast Schedule

All Trans Am races are live-streamed on the Trans Am YouTube channel.

-CD Racing Release