Championship Countdown - Ken Sutherland: TA Cup Western Championship

In the class’s inaugural season, the Western Championship’s TA Cup (TAC) title was won by Ken Sutherland, who moved to TAC after four years of competition in the Western Championship’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series. Driving the No. 85 Kallberg Racing Dodge Challenger, Sutherland began 2025 with an unexpected start at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, an opportunity received after team owner Curt Kallberg agreed to attend the season opener so the Sherwood, Oregon native could contend for the title.

“We weren't really going to contend for a title in the beginning, but I talked to the car owner, and he put me in for Buttonwillow,” said Sutherland. “So, we went there just to get some points so we could make sure we were in contention at the end of the year, if we were lucky enough to be in that spot. We did fairly well, finishing second at Buttonwillow, and that kind of set us on a trajectory for the season.”

Following his runner-up finish, Sutherland proceeded to Race 2 of the season at Sonoma Raceway, where he earned another podium with a third-place result. His first victory of the season came in the following race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“You know, I went into this race saying I was just going to have some fun and that I didn't care about the result, and I didn't know it was going to be this much fun,” said Sutherland atop the podium. “The car was so freaking awesome. I'm so happy for our team and our group of people that make that car go: Jefferson Racing and Chris Evans Race Cars, Jerry Pitts, Kurt and Patty Kallberg, my wife and daughter who have helped me, and my friend Will Shrader, who's there spotting for me. Great day.”

It seemed that Sutherland’s title hopes were dashed when a crash in testing for the Portland International Raceway doubleheader destroyed his racecar. However, TA Cup car builder Chris Evans loaned him a Ford Mustang to compete in the weekend’s two races, and Sutherland drove to Victory Lane in both.

“We had a mechanical failure and crashed it in testing for Portland, so [Chris Evans] loaned me a Mustang to race. That's the only thing that saved our championship.”

Back-to-back wins in the doubleheader event weekend at Thunderhill Raceway Park not only extended Sutherland to a five-race win streak, but it also cemented his championship.

“It feels great,” said Sutherland after claiming his title. “I’m super happy for Kallberg Racing to win a championship, and I really enjoyed the season.”

-Story by: Trans Am Series