Trans Am sets expanded 2021 schedule

Images by Seth DeDoes
Trans Am | October 19, 2020 5:19 PM

After the pandemic forced motorsport into a consolidated schedule for 2020, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli has bounced back for the 2021 season.

One of the longest-running categories in motorsport, Trans Am is set to stage an expanded 14-race calendar that will see the National Championship featured at legendary venues across the United States and Canada as part of NASCAR and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) events. Most of the 2021 schedule will continue to be live streamed on the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App.

The 2021 schedule has grown to include the “Roval” circuits of Charlotte and Homestead Miami, and has been designed with the goal of cost containment for the robust paddock.

With five back-to-back weekends that will be geographically friendly to participants, as well as the option for competitors to drop two rounds from the championship, the 2021 ruleset and calendar reflects both a connection to Trans Am’s long history as well as some well-considered responses to current conditions.

Adding flexibility and potential budget advantages for teams, drivers will be able to utilize their 12 best race finishes toward the championship standings. Teams will have the opportunity to drop two races or drop their worst two finishes up to August 1, establishing the opportunity for teams to select the best schedule of races to fit their plans without losing any competitiveness in the championship fight.

“After a season of unknowns, we wanted to give our participants stability with a cost-effective travel schedule that is geographically friendly and that would also allow for more racing in 2021 after having a shortened season in 2020,” explained Trans Am Race Company President John Clagett. “We also gave the teams the flexibility to choose the events they attend to help with their overall bottom line. There are some great events at the best venues in North America on this schedule. We’ve still got a lot of racing to yet do in 2020, but the enthusiasm about next year is really strong.”

Trans Am has a history at Sebring that stretches back to the very first race in 1966. The series will continue that tradition again in 2021 on February 20-21 to kick off a back-to-back Florida run that will see Trans Am return to Homestead Miami Speedway (February 27-2 as part of the SVRA SpeedTour.

The Homestead round is the first for Trans Am since 2017, and the last time that Sebring and Homestead (2015) ran on back to back weekends, the two races generated 73 and 65 entries, respectively.

The multi-class series travels to Charlotte Motor Speedway (March 20-21), having raced at the track in a previous iteration of the Roval layout in 2000. From there, the series will move south to the always-competitive Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (March 27-2 for another single tow race weekend with SVRA.