Thad Moffitt, left, poses with his grandfather Richard Petty in connection with the announcement regarding the young driver’s next opportunity. (Courtesy photo)
Driver Thad Moffitt will compete full time in the Trans Am Series in 2023.
Moffitt, grandson of Richard Petty, has joined the Scott Lagasse Racing team.
Moffitt and Trans Am president John Clagett unveiled the No. 43 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet Camaro that Moffitt will pilot in his championship effort for TeamSLR.
“I can’t wait to join the Trans Am Series in 2023,” Moffitt said. “The TA2 class is one of the most competitive places to race in all of motorsports and it will be great to have a chance to race against the huge fields that include champions like Rafa Matos, Mike Skeen and Thomas Merrill. The series races at some of the most historic tracks in the country, with high-profile events like the Music City Grand Prix and Detroit Grand Prix. I am so grateful to have this opportunity.”
Moffitt, 22, is a former Wheatmore student. He’s the son of Brian and Rebecca Petty-Moffitt.
Moffitt spent six seasons in the ARCA Menards Series, earning 10 top fives and 29 top-10 finishes in 49 starts between the National, East and West series. In 2022, Moffitt competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He’s also the 2016 Southeast Limited Late Models champion.
“I am so proud that Thad is going to be running in the Trans Am series,” Petty said in a statement. “I think it is a wonderful opportunity for him to drive in such a competitive series and learn road racing. I love that we’re able to bring the No. 43 to Trans Am, and it will be so special to see a member of our family race that Petty blue Camaro.”
Moffitt will make his Trans Am debut when the 2023 season begins Feb. 23-26 at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway.
To prepare for that debut, Moffitt will participate in preseason testing Jan. 25-26 at Sebring under the guidance of father-and-son duo Scott Lagasse and Scott Lagasse Jr. The TeamSLR co-owners have combined to win more than 100 races and seven championships across a variety of series and styles of racecars, from paved ovals to road courses to dirt tracks.
“We’ve been very impressed with Thad’s work ethic and his desire to compete,” Scott Lagasse Jr. said in a statement. “TA2 is a great place to learn race craft, and with more and more NASCAR races on road and street courses, it’s an excellent way for drivers to increase their versatility. You can hustle a TA2 car for an entire race, just like qualifying laps.Trans Am is growing and it gets more competitive each year. There are a lot of great racers and it takes a lot to win each race.”
