LEXINGTON, OHIO (29 June 2022) – Guy Cosmo had a competitive debut in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, placing fifth in Sunday’s TA2® race at Mid-Ohio.
Cosmo, a regular in the Pirelli GT4 America series, stood in for 2020 TA2 titlist Mike Skeen with Peterson Racing in the scheduled 100-mile race.
The Jupiter, Fla., driver quickly adapted to the No. 89 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang, qualifying fourth – one position behind points-leading and defending two-time champion Rafa Matos. He went on to finish fifth in the 34-car field in the race that was halted twice for crashes and eventually ending seven laps early under the red flag.
“Man, that’s not how I wanted that to end today, I was hoping for a final shootout for a podium,” Cosmo said. “I had an absolute blast out there and I think we put on a good show. I had quite a few moments that got my attention, but I wasn’t going to go down like that. What an experience, to learn a new car and have to go race it against some great competition.
“I apparently hadn’t been on full tanks until the green flag of the race and I think it showed,” Cosmo added. “I really had to adapt my driving style and wrangle that beast all while trying to maintain position and throw a few passes and pass attempts at the same time. The car was very different than from my runs earlier in the weekend [without a full tank of fuel].”
With team regular Mike Skeen missing the race due to a schedule conflict, Cosmo got the nod from team owner Doug Peterson to fill in for the former champion and two-time TA2 winner. He joined Peterson, Matos and Adam Andretti on the four-car entry, with each car carrying distinctive yellow point schedules.
“The whole experience was a blast,” Cosmo said. “Not just learning the car and getting after it in the race, but also reuniting with Doug Peterson and Rafa Matos, and meeting and working with Adam Andretti and the entire Peterson Racing crew. Such great people and so much fun to be around, this was really enjoyable. But I’m disappointed to only come away with the fifth-place finish. We were quick all weekend but didn’t have quite enough for them today. I was figuring out the car better and finding my pace late in the race, especially those final few laps before the second black flag – I really think I could have put some moves on those guys ahead of us at the end, but we didn’t get that chance when it ended early.”
While Cosmo’s agreement was for only the Mid-Ohio race, Peterson Racing is extending the opportunity for the upcoming Music City Grand Prix of Nashville on August 6, when Trans Am shares the bill with the NTT IndyCar Series in an expected sellout.
“Now that I know what to expect from this car and the competition, I’ll be much better prepared for my next outing and get to that podium – and hopefully the top step,” Cosmo said. “I’ll be pushing for nothing less.”
Next up for Cosmo is a return to Pirelli GT4 America, when he joins Chris Cagnazzi in the No. 39 Presidio Mercedes-AMG GT4 fielded by Steve Cameron Racing at Watkins Glen International on July 25-26.