Weathering The Challenge: Sonoma Brings Unpredictable Weather For Chris Evans Inc. & Jefferson Racing During Trans Am Weekend
April 28, 2025
Chris Evans Inc and Jefferson Racing, proudly reflects on an exhilarating Sonoma Race Weekend at Sonoma Raceway, where our team showcased exceptional performance in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship under dynamic weather conditions.
During the Sonoma SpeedTour, the TA Cup Western Championship race saw fierce competition, with Jim Guthrie (No. 62 Guthrie’s Garage/CEI Ford Mustang) clinching a remarkable victory. Starting from the back after an early incident, Guthrie navigated a wet track at the race’s start, adapting to drying conditions to take the checkered flag, a testament to his skill and the reliability vehicles. Ken Thwaits (No. 9 Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro) secured a strong second-place finish, further highlighting the strength of Chris Evans Inc.’s engineering. Ken Sutherland finished Third his CEI Dodge Challenger. Our No. 92 Central Welding Supply/Pinnacle Alloys Ford Mustang, driven by Chris Evans, finished fifth. Unfortunately, Michelle Nagai (No. 27 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro) was involved in a wreck during the race, but her determination remains a source of inspiration as she showed fastest lap time in the TA cup class.
The weekend marked a historic moment as the TA Cup class raced alongside the National Championship for the first time, showcasing the high-performance capabilities of our 600 rear-wheel horsepower vehicles on Sonoma’s demanding 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. “The race’s transition from wet to dry conditions challenged our drivers, but Jim’s incredible drive from the back and Ken’s podium finish prove the quality of our cars,” said Chris Evans, founder and two-time Western Championship title winner. “We’re proud to support such talented drivers and to see our engineering excel under pressure.”
Chris Evans Inc. also celebrates the legacy of our drivers, with Evans himself having previously won at Sonoma in 2022 in the SGT class, adding to the team’s storied history at this iconic track. The Sonoma Race Weekend, set against the picturesque backdrop of California’s wine country, provided the perfect stage for our team to engage with fans and showcase the cutting-edge technology behind our race cars.
As we look ahead, Chris Evans Inc. remains focused on pushing the boundaries of motorsport innovation. We extend our gratitude to our sponsors, fans, and the Sonoma Raceway team for making this weekend a success. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for the next race in the Trans Am Series at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
About Chris Evans Inc.
Chris Evans Inc. specializes in designing and building high-performance race cars, including the spec tube-frame vehicles used in the Trans Am Series TA Cup class. With a passion for motorsports and a commitment to excellence, we continue to lead the industry in engineering and competitive racing.
