Teenage Prodigies and Veteran Aces Headline TeamSLR's Stacked TA2 Lineup at VIR

As the Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series heads to the penultimate round of the season at Virginia International Raceway, the four-car TeamSLR stable is brimming with storylines and talent. Pro-Am points leader Barry Boes aims to clinch the title, while teenage sensations Julian DaCosta and Tristan McKee make their mark, and veteran Thomas Ellis returns to the fray.

Poised for a Pro-Am Title, Boes Seeks Continued Dominance at VIR

Barry Boes, the driver of the No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang, arrives at VIR with a commanding 129-point lead in the Pro-Am Challenge standings. The seasoned racer has been a model of consistency, scoring six class wins in 10 races this season, including a victory at the Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship event at Portland International Raceway in July.Boes' familiarity with the 3.27-mile, 17-turn VIR circuit gives him a distinct advantage as he looks to clinch the Pro-Am title. The technical nature of the track, with its demanding esses and critical corner exits, plays to Boes' strengths as a driver."VIR would definitely be on the list of one of my favorites, for sure," Boes said. "You have to be absolutely perfect to stay stuck to the track the whole way up through the esses. And it takes a lot of courage and it takes a lot of really good driving."Boes highlighted the importance of nailing the exit of the lower esses and the Oak Tree turn, as those sections can make or break a lap time at VIR. With his wealth of experience and the proven performance of the SLR-M1 Racecars Ford Mustang, Boes is poised to extend his lead in the Pro-Am standings and potentially clinch the title this weekend.

Teenage Talents DaCosta and McKee Seek to Impress in TA2 Debuts

Joining Boes in the TeamSLR camp are two rising stars, 16-year-old Julian DaCosta and 14-year-old Tristan McKee, both making their regular-season TA2 Series debuts.DaCosta, driving the No. 17 Powered by Hixon/Austin Hatcher Foundation/SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro, has previous experience at VIR in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Series and Spec Miatas, which he believes will translate to success in the TA2 car."I'm really looking forward to VIR," DaCosta said. "First of all, I love the M1 Racecars equipment. It's an amazing car, and so is the team and the series. The team does a great job with the car, so that definitely makes a huge difference in my abilities and what I'm capable of."DaCosta's solid debut at NOLA Motorsports Park, where he qualified ninth and finished 11th, and his eighth-place finish at the most recent round in Canada have boosted his confidence heading to VIR."I'm going into VIR pretty confident," DaCosta said. "I have a lot of laps on that track and I'm always pretty strong there. I think now with the experience that I have in the TA2 car – it's going to be my third race in it, not a ton of experience – I'm starting to really understand almost every dynamic of the car and how to drive it."Tristan McKee, the driver of the No. 28 SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro, is also making his TA2 Series debut this weekend after co-driving a TeamSLR entry with Scott Speed in the All-Star Race at Lime Rock Park.The 14-year-old Chevrolet development driver has already made a name for himself in the Pro Late Model division of the CARS Tour, becoming the series' youngest winner at just 12 years old. McKee's familiarity with VIR, having tested the TA2 car there twice, gives him confidence heading into the weekend."I get to do it all by myself this time without Scott (Speed) or anybody else, so I'm looking forward to it," McKee said. "I've tested at VIR twice in the TA2 car, so I think I'm pretty prepared. I've got some things to work on, to clean up, when we go back, but I think we'll have some good speed."McKee's experience working with the Lagasse family and the Chevrolet driver development program has been invaluable, and he's eager to put that knowledge to the test in his TA2 debut.

Veteran Ellis Seeks Breakthrough Result in Fourth TA2 Appearance

Rounding out the TeamSLR lineup is 29-year-old Thomas Ellis, who will be making his fourth TA2 appearance of the season in the No. 8 Averitt Express/SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro.Ellis, a seasoned racer with experience in various SCCA club racing classes, is no stranger to VIR and is confident in his ability to extract the most from the SLR-M1 Racecars equipment."I'm excited just to get back in the racecar," Ellis said. "Throughout the races we've done this season, we've seemed to have good pace that just hasn't translated over into a race results, but that makes it exciting going into this one."Ellis highlighted the importance of getting the car positioned correctly through the esses and the Oak Tree turn, as those sections can make or break a lap at VIR. With his familiarity with the circuit and the continued development of the SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro, Ellis is determined to deliver a strong result this weekend.As the Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series heads to the penultimate round of the season, the four-car TeamSLR stable is poised to make a significant impact. With the experienced Boes leading the charge in the Pro-Am standings, and the teenage talents of DaCosta and McKee making their TA2 debuts, the team is primed to showcase its depth and versatility. Veteran Ellis, meanwhile, seeks to capitalize on his VIR experience and the team's proven performance to secure a breakthrough result.