P1racenews AI automatic summary:
In a surprise appearance, seven-time Trans Am champion and four-time TA class champion Ernie Francis Jr. returned for the first time in two years to fill in for an under-the-weather Brent Crews and…
Ernie Francis Jr., seven-time Trans Am champion and four-time TA class champion, made a surprise return after two years and secured the pole position at the Trans Am Series season opener at Sebring International Raceway, filling in for Brent Crews. This marked a significant comeback for Francis Jr., who last claimed a pole at Circuit of The Americas in the 2021 season finale, achieving top qualifying position five times that year. Francis Jr. expressed his excitement about unexpectedly winning the pole, attributing it to filling in for ECC as a driver at the last minute and praising the performance of the Weaver chassis Dodge Challenger he drove. The highly anticipated TA/XGT/SGT/GT race is scheduled for Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET, with live coverage on MAVTV and online streaming. The television broadcast replay of the race will be on MAVTV on Thursday, February 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET, showcasing the thrilling results of the season opener.
