James Beaton Fastest in XGT, Joshua Carlson Tops SGT

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (July 13, 2025) – Practice and qualifying have concluded for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at Watkins Glen International. Chris Dyson in the No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang will lead the field to green in Trans Am’s 50th race at The Glen after laying down a lap time of 1:43.965. This is Dyson’s third pole award of the 2025 season, and the fifth-consecutive pole for CD Racing.

“It was a great lap; the car was absolutely fantastic;” said Dyson after the early morning qualifying session. “You know, if we’re going to get up this early, we might as well wake up quickly. I think it was a very, very good session. A strong session for the No. 16 car. We’re looking forward to the race. The car’s been pretty quick since we got here. I think we’re starting from an excellent base. We’ll put the GYM WEED car up front and we’ll fight to keep it there all day. I’m excited for the guys, this is like being home. This is where it all began for this family and this team, so we feel extra special every time we come up to Watkins Glen.”

James Beaton (No. 82 Playtime Hot Rods & Motorsports Chevrolet) was quickest in XGT, while Joshua Carlson (No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang) topped SGT.

The Watkins Glen SpeedTour TA/GT race will be contested today at 12:05 p.m. ET. It will be streamed LIVE on Trans Am’s YouTube channel, @TheTransAmSeries and broadcast LIVE on SPEED SPORT 1, with coverage beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET. An encore presentation will air on SPEED SPORT 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. For more information on where you can watch SPEED SPORT 1, click here.

TA Qualifying Top Five:
1. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang (1:43.965)
2. Adam Andretti, No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro (1:44.310)
3. Paul Menard, No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang (1:44.323)
4. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro (1:46.656)
5. Kaz Grala, No. 2 Overplay Games/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger (1:47.217)

XGT Qualifying:
1. James Beaton, No. 82 Playtime Hot Rods & Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette (1:52.936)

SGT Qualifying:
1. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang (1:51.198)
2. Ray Mason, No. 00 Alloy Employer Services Ford Mustang (1:59.625)
3. Milton Grant, No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1 (2:01.663)

Full qualifying results can be found here.

TA Practice Top Five:
1. Paul Menard, No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang (1:45.595)
2. Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang (1:45.916)
3. Adam Andretti, No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro (1:46.258)
4. Kaz Grala, No. 2 Overplay Games/Weaver Racing Dodge Challenger (1:47.368)
5. Tomy Drissi, No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro (1:47.773)

XGT Practice:
1. James Beaton, No. 82 Playtime Hot Rods & Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette (1:56.586)

SGT Practice:
1. Joshua Carlson, No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang (1:53.636)
2. Ray Mason, No. 00 Alloy Employer Services Ford Mustang (1:59.016)
3. Milton Grant, No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1 (2:03.879)

Full practice results can be found here.