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Moffat snatches Trans Am round win in chaotic final race
James Moffat clawed back to take his second race win of the weekend in a chaotic final race at Sydney Motorsport Park, edging out Cody Gillis and Nash Morris.
The series leader found a way to stay ahead of the pack despite damage to the front of his Team Valvoline GRM Ford Mustang, surviving two safety car interventions along the way.
The first came at the expense of Elliott Cleary, who made it four DNFs in as many races for the weekend after having to stop by the side of the track mid-race.
Moffat controlled the restart well but was unable to create a gap between himself and Cleary, before an incident further back involving Elliot Barbour almost immediately neutralised the race for a second time.
Thankfully, there was enough time on the clock for a one-lap-dash to round out the weekend, where once again Moffat was able to narrowly hold onto his position ahead of an eager Gillis.
Meanwhile, carnage began to unfold behind as Lochie Dalton and Ben Grice got their elbows out in a desperate attempt at some extra series points, resulting in both drivers spinning off track and falling to the rear of the field.
Doing his best to stay out of the way was Edan Thornburrow, crossing the line in a weekend-best fourth place ahead of a super impressive Tom Hayman – who had his work cut out for him after starting the race from the rear of the grid.
It was another solid performance from Tim Brook, who enjoyed consistent finishes all weekend long and topped it off with sixth in race four ahead of Brett Holdsworth.
American, Robert Noaker handed Dream Racing Australia its best result of the weekend in eighth ahead of Chris Pappas, who also enjoyed a personal-best result while topping the Hoosier Cup competitors.
Josh Thomas rounded out the top 10 ahead of Masters Cup winner, Craig Scutella.
Carnage in the final laps of the race saw Barbour, Grice and Dalton all finish as the bottom three classified drivers.
Joining Cleary in the DNF club was Kyle Gurton after he was unfortunate to find himself caught up in the Barbour incident late on, while Josh Webster ended his run of consistent performances in 2023 after he was forced into the pits after a mistake early on.
Two race wins ensured Moffat would extend his series lead over GRM teammate, Lochie Dalton as the National Trans Am Series heads to Supercheap Auto Bathurst International next weekend for the season finale.