| POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 4, 2026) – Matthew Brabham brings a commanding point lead in the Trans Am by Pirelli championship to the season finale at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where CD Racing has won four of the last five TA races. While all Brabham needs is a fifth-place or better finish in his #16 GYM SODA Ford Mustang to claim his first Trans Am title (and CD Racing’s fourth in six years), he doesn’t plan to change the aggressive approach that has seen him win the pole at all 11 of the races run to date this season while taking him to victory in nine of them. Team owner Chris Dyson, who has contested selected events this season, will be back in the team’s #20 GYM SODA/RACER Ford Mustang alongside Brabham. “The team couldn’t be more ready than it is for this weekend,” said Dyson, a three-time Trans Am titlist. “Matty has driven a tremendous season, but the last couple seasons reminded us that you just can’t take anything for granted in this championship. The competition has been tough and consistent all year; and we never let our guard down. We’ve been doing this long enough to know that you don’t change your approach as a team no matter how well you’re doing. This game is about continuous improvement and our competitors aren’t rolling over. And because of how points are distributed, even with Matt’s incredible winning percentage coming into this final race, we’ve still got to hit all our marks as a team. this weekend.” When reminded that CD Racing has an unparalleled Trans Am record at COTA, Dyson added “And there’s no better place to finish the job.” A win in Texas this weekend would be Brabham’s 18th of his still relatively brief but brilliant Trans Am career, promoting him out of a four-way tie for 10th in the all-time win list with series legends Willy T. Ribbs, Dorsey Schroeder, and Greg Pickett. (Dyson currently has 29 Trans Am victories and a win this weekend would lift him from a tie with Mark Donohue for second in the most-wins ranking.) Brabham’s qualifying record in 2026 has been superlative; he has not once been headed in time trials in all eleven events. “I know what the points look like, but that’s not gonna change anything about how I drive,” a typically modest Brabham said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity Chris and Rob have given me this year and I owe it to the team and myself to go all out every time I get in the car. I know how to win at COTA and so does the team. They always give me a potential race winner, so I’m aiming for the top step of the podium.” A Challenging Venue “From the technical perspective COTA is one of the most challenging circuits on our calendar,” Dyson said. “High speed, heavy braking, super-low-speed corners, and you have to preserve the tires. We’ve always made it a point to show up with a set-up that’s in the ‘ballpark’ because the lap is so long and there isn’t much practice time. My job is to help the team any way I can – and to try to win the pole and the race, same as always.” CD Racing’s Storied COTA History No TA team has a better recent record at Austin. Brabham won on his Trans Am debut at COTA in 2021, qualifying on the front row and passing Ernie Francis Jr. on the last lap. Dyson won in 2022, leading a CD Racing 1-2 with Brabham second as the duo dominated the field, and won again in 2024. Last year Brabham, starting last in class after qualifying was canceled because of lightning, drove through the field to victory. Both of Brabham’s COTA wins came as a substitute for Dyson. Click here for more on Chris Dyson Racing.Circuit of the Americas ScheduleQualifying takes place Saturday, November 7, 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CT (3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.ET) The 30-lap race takes the green flag Sunday, November 8, at 12:55 p.m. CT (1:55 p.m. ET) Broadcast ScheduleAll Trans Am races are live-streamed on the Trans Am YouTube channel. |
