Matthew Brabham Fends Off Paul Menard in Trans Am Series Opener at Sebring

Matthew Brabham held off defending champion Paul Menard to win the season-opening event for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at Sebring International Raceway on Sunday.

Brabham, piloting the No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang, maintained the top spot throughout the 27-lap race around the historic Florida venue that hosted the inaugural Trans Am event 60 years ago.

"It was just awesome," said Brabham in victory lane. "The car is so good to drive. Sebring is a historic track. I love it here. The bumps add some character. The car was phenomenal. The guys at Chris Dyson Racing did an awesome job putting this car together for this weekend. I can't thank the boys and girls here on CD Racing enough.

"GYM WEED, obviously a big thank you to them, and Chris Dyson and Rob and everyone at home watching, thank you so much. It's an honor to drive for you guys."

Despite several full-course yellows over the course of the event, Brabham kept Menard behind him over multiple restarts to claim his eighth career Trans Am victory.

"What a race," Brabham said. "Obviously, Paul was pushing me hard there at the end. It made it a lot more fun for me, so it was awesome."

"He just had good pace all day. I couldn't believe the race pace we were running, you know, 1:59s and 2-minute flats. That's getting with it. I was a little better than him through the slow, low-grip, second-gear stuff, and he'd pull me really big through turn 17, and I had to play catch-up the rest of the lap."

With Brabham announced as a full-time competitor in the Trans Am Series for CD Racing in 2026, Menard believes that combination will be his stiffest challenge in the bid for a third consecutive championship.

"When they made the announcement last week that Brabham was running full-time, we knew we had our work cut out for us," Menard said. "He's a hell of a driver, and it's a great race team. My guys did a lot of work in the offseason. My car was really good today. We just didn't have as much as Matt did; he was really beating me through 17.

"We know what we need to do, and it's going to be a battle all year long."

Martin Ragginger in the No. 7 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro completed the Trans Am podium, pleased to score a strong finish on what had been a challenging weekend.

"It was the first time out in this new car," said Ragginger. "In practice, we had to solve so many issues. It was the first time I did more than four laps in a row, so I'm pretty proud of the whole team. Burtin Racing did an amazing job. Obviously, for next time, we learned a lot from this race, so we'll be better at Road Atlanta."

With a sixth-place overall finish, Cole Moore earned the TA Cup class win in the No. 32 Chris Evans Race Cars Ford Mustang ahead of newly-tabbed Racing America Chief Operating Officer Ken Thwaits and Matt Crandall.

"That was an amazing race," said Moore. "One of those where everything went my way, made the right zigs and zags on the first lap. Jeff Jefferson just gave me a really good car this weekend.

"This is an honor to race these TA Cup cars. They're unbelievable. Thank you, Ken, for everything you do. I just love being a part of Trans Am. This is amazing."

Billy Griffin finished seventh overall to claim the XGT win, behind the wheel of the No. 14 Griffin Auto Care Mercedes, bringing attention to a cause close to his heart.

"I'd like everybody to check out the Kevin Popke Foundation," Griffin said. "An Army Ranger who passed away in a motorcycle accident after retiring, it's a foundation that helps veterans in need in Florida. If everybody could check that out, I'd appreciate it."

Lee Saunders in his No. 84 Dodge Viper scored the victory in the SGT class, passing Chris Coffey in the No. 97 Ferrari for the top spot on lap 19.

"We got lucky today," said Saunders. "Chris had some issues that let us get to where we are. Chris drove the hell out of that car, super clean. I can't thank him enough for that. I think we traded position three or four times. I just got lucky and did it the last time, because he was probably gonna come around me again."

Jordan Bupp claimed the victory in the GT1 category ahead of Axel Rivera. Bupp's win came in a Chevrolet Camaro that his father, Kenny Bupp, drove to a Trans Am Series victory at Sebring in 2016.

"I can't thank my dad enough for bringing me back here. I'm driving the same car that he won in here 10 years ago, so shout out to Riley Technologies for building an amazing car all these years."

Derric Carter in the No. 24 PortableHoist.com/Ford Mustang Dark Horse R claimed the GT class victory.

-Photo credit: Sarah Glasco

Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at Sebring
Unofficial Results - TA/GT Race