Columbia City, Ind.—Mike Skeen has announced he will return to Stevens-Miller Racing (SMR) to defend his 2020 TA2 Championship in The Trans Am presented by Pirelli. Skeen will be campaigning an all-new 2021 Howe Racing Enterprises Camaro with the support of Liqui Moly, Turn 14 Distribution and, new for 2021, Berryman Products.
Skeen said, “I am very excited to go into 2021 and build on the momentum from my first season with Stevens-Miller Racing. My new Howe Enterprises Camaro is really coming along and the 2021 livery designed by Competition Graphics looks amazing. I also want to welcome Berryman’s Chemtooler to my car. Berryman has been a supporter of SMR for several years, and now the Chemtooler will get to see what it’s like up front!”
Based in Arlington, Texas, Berryman Products has been providing Americans automotive chemicals, additives, tire sealers, and specialty lubricants for more than 100 years.
SMR Owner Joe Stevens said, “We’ve been working with Berryman for the past three seasons and they’ve been great! I can’t say enough about the quality of their products. As a past automotive tech and service manager, I can tell you ‘Berryman’ should be on the label of every can your techs have on their shelf. Brake cleaner, electrical cleaner, penetrating oils, fuel treatments — they have it all. Made in America really makes a difference when it comes to service chemicals. Why use a whole can when a squirt or two of Berryman will do the job — my guys love it.”
Berryman Products Marketing Manager Beau Blankenship said, “We are thrilled to announce our continued partnership with SMR. We’re really excited to be in the championship hunt and on the No. 1 car driven by Mike Skeen. We’ve seen the way SMR carries themselves on and off the track and we recognize the value their commitment to our products and our brand has given us. For 2021, we’ll have a ‘Berryman’ in-car camera during three live-streamed races and a lot of new social media activation. We’re excited about the season and looking forward to fans joining us at the track, online, and on their mobile devices.”
Returning to the flanks of the SMR, Liqui Moly Camaro is performance distributor Turn 14 Distribution. Turn 14 Distribution Marketing Manager Paul Telesca said, “Not being able to take advantage of hospitality this past season was disappointing. But having our car in the winner’s circle and our driver constantly on the podium really did the job. We received a ton of social media and motorsports press coverage, despite everything they faced last season the team really came through.
“Now we are really looking forward to a return to normalcy and having our customers with us track side.” Telesca continued, “Our company was conceived at Road America ¬– in turn 14, in fact – hence our name. Racing is part of our company’s DNA, and we’re proud to play a part in SMR and Liqui Moly’s efforts to go for another title with Mike Skeen.”
Stevens said, “I want to say thank you to our marketing manager Steve Sharp for doing everything to ensure these partnerships are lasting and impactful. We faced quite the challenge last year with the restrictions, and his collaborative work with these companies and their marketing staffs made all the difference. I also want to recognize John Clagett and his and his staff’s efforts last season. In addition, I want to thank series majority owner Tony Parilla for his belief in the series and providing us an arena to race and for keeping us safe while doing so.”
Stevens acknowledged that as TA2 continues to rise in popularity the competition are stepping up their games. “I think that the challenges to winning in 2021 are going to be beyond anything that we’ve seen. Teams are building new cars, increasing their personnel and, of course, their budgets. They’re all coming back stronger and loaded for bear. No doubt, 2021 will be the most competitive year for TA2 yet. On the other hand, my team has not lost any focus, drive, or capability. We look forward to the challenge.”
Illustration by Competition Graphics
About Stevens-Miller Racing:
Stevens-Miller Racing (SMR) has one of the highest winning percentages in Trans Am’s TA2 category. SMR’s staff has earned 40-plus podiums, three championships, multiple Hard Charger Awards, Rookie of the Year, and more. The team’s focus is achieving the driver’s desired goals. SMR has what drivers need, be it GT2, SVRA Group Six, or TA2. Whether it’s to have fun, develop your driving ability, or win a championship, SMR does it all and has the winning history to back it up. See www.stevensmillerracing.com for more details about our programs and Arrive & Drive and car prep opportunities.
