Greg Pickett ready for Trans Am return
Pickett, who made his Trans Am debut in 1975 at Road America, will be making his first Trans Am appearance since 2009 in what will be his 178th Trans Am start, the second most in the Series all time.
“My wife Penny and I are certainly looking forward to our return to the Trans Am Series," said Pickett. “This year marks the 40th anniversary of our first Trans Am race, which was back in 1975. In Trans Am we have so many fond memories, and have forged many lifelong personal and professional relationships. We’re not taking anything for granted. The competition is very, very tough."
“Greg is one of the living legends of Trans Am," said John Clagett, President of The Trans Am Race Company. “He’s competed at the highest levels of racing, against the best of the best, and better yet he’s been able to do it consistently for the better part of five decades. We’re all elated to welcome him back into the Trans Am paddock in what should be an historic day for all of Trans Am."
As Pickett aims to become the first Trans Am competitor to win a race in each of five consecutive decades, he will be doing so as a participant in a far different Trans Am than he last visited in 2009.
Between all three classes, TA, TA2 and TA3, Series management anticipates over 80 cars will take to the track throughout the course of the race weekend, setting up what should be the largest Trans Am entry ever. Pickett will return to the TA class behind the wheel of the No. 68 Jaguar XKR joining 21 other TA competitors in pursuit of Trans Am glory.
Over the course of Pickett’s storied Trans Am career, he has accumulated 17 wins, 90 top-five finishes and 127 top-ten finishes and currently ranks ninth on the list of all-time Trans Am victors. Pickett’s Trans Am Championship came in 1978, from behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette.
Fans can follow Pickett’s Trans Am return through the Series at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, and on Twitter at @gotransam.
Greg Pickett Career Highlights:
• Holds the distinction of being the only driver to win a race in four decades of Trans Am competition.
• Has won a race in five consecutive decades of racing (Trans Am and ALMS combined).
• In 1978, won the Trans Am Category II Driver’s Championship with four victories in a Corvette.
• Placed second in the 1980 SCCA Trans Am championship on the strength of two wins and two second-place finishes.
• Gave Jack Roush his first win on June 3, 1984 at Sears Point.
• Won the historic 12 Hours of Sebring in the GTO Class in 1987.
• Took part in five 24 Hours of Daytona races, finishing third in 1979.
• Returned to the Trans Am Series in 2005 taking part in eight races and finishing on the podium in seven of them, including a historic 16th career Trans-Am victory in Edmonton… Completed every lap of the races he entered and was in the title hunt until the final race of the season.
• Claimed four podiums in five races in the ALMS in 2007 aboard a Lola B06/14.
• Completed a life-long dream in 2008 by participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• In 2009, finished on the podium in each of his four starts in his return to the ALMS, also took part in two Trans Am races taking the win at the season opening round (Road Atlanta).
• Scored an LMP2 Class win at the 12 Hours of Sebring and his first overall ALMS victory at Lime Rock Park in 2010, year his team placed second in the Championship.
• In 2012 & 2013, Pickett’s team won back to back ALMS P1 team and drivers Championships.