Mother Nature Dishes It Out At The Glen, Lux Performance Responds In Kind

by Thomas Moore

Cindi Lux and Steve Streimer Take Trans Am Podium Finishes In 2016 Debut

Watkins Glen, New York, May 17, 2016 : Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these racers from the swift completion of their appointed laps. That paraphrase of the Postman’s Creed might make it to an inspirational wall at Lux Performance Group’s shop in Aloha, Oregon after the May 15 Classic Tube 100. The Watkins Glen (New York) International round of the Trans Am Series’ 50th season was the 2016 debut for the two-car Viper ACR-X program and it was no easy opener. The weekend saw temperatures barely breaking the 40s and overcast conditions giving way to rain and snow. Combined with an electrical gremlin in the cars and Cindi Lux (Aloha, Oregon), driving the No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge, and Steve Streimer (Sherwood, Oregon) in the No. 42 Viper’s had their hands full. Nevertheless, the pair, both of which won in the Trans Am Series’ TA3 class last year, fought all the elements and the field to finish second (Lux) and third (Streimer) at the conclusion of the 100-mile race.

The weekend got off on a harsh note. With little on-track time scheduled for the TA3 machines, a newly paved “Glen” and unseasonably cold weather the challenge was tough enough for the pair of drivers and the Fred Lux-led squad. However, matters grew much worse when an electronics issue significantly cut the horsepower of the V10-engines beyond even the mandated restrictor prescribed by Trans Am. As the crew worked 18-hour days in search a solution, on-track incidents by competitors further reduced track time on the 3.4-mile circuit in the Finger Lakes Region of New York.

Qualifying was hampered by rain just after the session began and Lux started just ahead of Streimer at the back of the class field. Both Lux Performance drivers are well known for their racecraft and Streimer followed Cindi through the field with a focus on keeping their red and black American supercars clear of carnage. As competitors began to give-way, the Nos. 45 and 42 moved steadily up. Even as a heavy snow began to pound the windshields in the closing laps, the front-engine machines stayed a true course ultimately finishing second and third. The first race of the season and the first podium.

Quotes :

Fred Lux, Lux Performance Group Team Principal : “

Cindi Lux, Driver, No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACR-X : “Never in our wildest dreams when we began the day, that we would end up with a double podium. But it's a solid lesson of never giving up. No matter what the racing gods send your direction, just keep digging and never give up. Seriously, everything seemed to be thrown at us, any one of which should have sent us packing. But, through persistence and attention to detail, these Vipers brought it home! I am super proud of Fred and the whole crew for giving Steve and I the car to take it to the front. Then it was up to us and we just worked together and worked the field. The ** black cloud that was over us all weekend finally shifted away during the race. The attitude and appreciation for a fantastic finish was such a huge relief by all the team. Even though it wasn’t our best result on track, it was probably the most satisfying and rewarding.” * *

Steve Streimer, No. 42 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACR-X : “

About Trans Am : The Trans Am Series, America’s Road Racing Series, began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing. Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing, through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), through a five-year agreement in which TARC oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides operations services to the Series. More information is available at www.GoTransAm.com .

See more about the Lux Performance Group’s 2016 season at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PDB6AF90Gc&feature=youtu.be

For more on Cindi Lux, please visit www.CindiLux.com. Follow Cindi on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/CindiLux, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/OfficialCindiLux and http://instagram.com/cindilux on Instagram. Stop by Steve Streimer’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/OfficialSteveStreimer .

For more on the Trans Am Series visit www.gotransam.com, “like” Trans Am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, or follow Trans Am on Twitter at @gotransam.

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