- Roberto Sabato Scores First-Career Pro/Am Challenge Win
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (July 12, 2025) – In a surprising turn of events following the checkered flag in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli event at Watkins Glen International, Tyler Kicera was declared the winner in Round 8 of the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series following the disqualification of provisional race winner and points leader Tristan McKee.
The fifth-place starting Nitro Motorsports driver coach in the No. 10 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry made his way to the runner-up position by making a lap-three pass on Sam Corry (No. 70 Stilo Helmets/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry), and then overtaking third when championship contender Thomas Annunziata (No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) faced a terminal engine issue. From there, Kicera hunted down second-place Nathan Herne (No. 15 Owosso Speedway/Blue Gold Industries Toyota Camry), taking the spot and crossing the finish line in second, behind points leader McKee. Following podium celebrations and post-race technical inspection, the first-place finisher was disqualified and Kicera was declared the winner, earning his third-career victory and first since 2022.
Third-place finisher Carson Brown and fifth-place Julian DaCosta were also issued post-race infractions disqualifying them from the event, meaning Adrian Wlostowski (No. 3 CMI/Spot-On Services/AMT Motorsports Ford Mustang) was promoted to second place, while Gian Buffomante (No. 95 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) rounded out the adjusted overall podium in third, marking the first-career podiums for both competitors. Seamus McKendree (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and Sam Corry (No. 70 Stilo Helmets/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) were also elevated to top-five finishes.
Notes of Interest:
- Tyler Kicera earned his first CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series win since his victory at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL in 2022, which was his last full-time season in TA2. He has since been serving as a driver coach at Nitro Motorsports.
- Kicera has made 33-career starts and has a total of three victories.
- In his 57th race in the TA2 Series, Adrian Wlostowski scored his first-career podium. It was also the first podium finish for Gian Buffomante, who has eight Pro starts in TA2.
- Seamus McKendree, who typically competes in the Western Championship, earned a top-five finish in his first National start.
- Sixth-place starter Sam Corry was forced to recover from an early flat tire, which sent him to the back of the pack, and then received late-race contact from a Pro/Am Challenge competitor while running fourth. Despite that, he still recovered to finish fifth following the post-race changes.
- Championship contender Thomas Annunziata fell out of the race after only eight laps due to a motor issue, relegating him to a 12th-place finish. Following the changes in results, he improved to ninth in class and leaves the weekend as the new points leader.
“Wow, what a weekend,” said Kicera after the race. “I didn’t even know I was driving this car until Thursday night. This win is the ultimate redemption, for so many different reasons. Brian Keselowski and the whole Nitro Motorsports crew gave me such a fast car. I can’t thank Nick Tucker enough – he’s the one who made this happen for me. This whole Nitro team is just incredible.”
CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series National Championship Top 10: 
1. Tyler Kicera, No. 10 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry
2. Adrian Wlostowski, No. 3 CMI/Spot-On Services/AMT Motorsports Ford Mustang
3. Gian Buffomante, No. 95 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry
4. Seamus McKendree, No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
5. Sam Corry, No. 70 Stilo Helmets/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry
6. Eric Cayton, No. 71 Ray Skillman Auto Group Ford Mustang
7. Will Robinson, No. 51 Mike Cope Race Cars LLC Ford Mustang
8. Nathan Herne, No. 15 Owosso Speedway/Blue Gold Industries Toyota Camry
9. Thomas Annunziata, No. 90 Gazoo Racing/Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry
10. Boris Said Sr., No. 60 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry
Omologato Watches Fastest Lap of the Race:
Tyler Kicera, No. 10 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry
Bassett Hard Charger:
Seamus McKendree, No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang
In the Pro/Am Challenge, Barry Boes initially crossed the line first in class and an impressive fifth overall. However, Boes was disqualified post race, promoting Roberto Sabato (No. 61 6th Gear Garage Ford Mustang) to his first-career Pro/Am victory, followed by Keith Prociuk (No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang) in second and Doug Winston (No. 98 D&M Electric/TradeMentor.org Ford Mustang) in third.
“It’s a good day,” said Sabato on the podium. “You know, I have to thank my team; they did an incredible job. A very awesome job. And thank you to Trans Am and CUBE 3. It’s been a long time coming. I really love it.”
CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge Podium:
1. Roberto Sabato, No. 61 6th Gear Garage Ford Mustang
2. Keith Prociuk, No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang
3. Doug Winston, No. 98 D&M Electric/TradeMentor.org Ford Mustang
Full race results can be found here.
The CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series takes a brief hiatus before returning to action at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 28-31. Tickets can be purchased here.