@TNTSuperSeries • NEW YORK (May 27, 2015)- The 2015 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series kickedoff strong this past Memorial Day weekend presented by Steve's Electric.
Paul Young from Alden, New York bested a 25 car field at Lancaster Speedway and Dragway's eighth mile on Friday night and then Wellandport, Ontario's Chris VanBaalen topped the 29 car field Saturday on the quarter mile at Empire Dragway. VanBaalen's performance put him atop the standings in the 2015 TNTSS points chase and both drivers have improved their qualifying position in the REVS Full Throttle Powersports RACE OF CHAMPIONS coming up later this year.
Friday May 22 – Results
After qualifying fifth with a 7.010, 2009 TNTSS Champion Paul Young faced Tom Coonly in round one and lit the beacon in a double breakout 6.998 to a 6.996. Then he laid a near perfect .502 tree on Joe Karosik in round two. Third round saw him take out Sam LoVetro Jr and then in the semifinals, it was Jan Winkowski going .499 red to send Young to the money round.
The other side of the ladder had 2014 Lancaster Top ET champion Jeff Sobczynski who was doing double duty, making it to the final in both TOP ET and the TNTSS. He made quick work of Cira, Pulver, D'Alessandro and VanBaalen before meeting up with Young.
When the tree came down, Sobczynski went .499 red and handed Young the $800 winner's purse and his third event win in the TNTSS.
"I would like to thank Joe Boniferro and all the TNTSS crew for a great series," commented Young in the winner's circle. "Our sponsors Old Dutchman Wrought Iron and Emerald Concrete of Buffalo are a great help. I also want to thank Dom, Rob and Dillon and extra thanks to my dad!"
Specialty Awards - Friday
Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate - Number One Qualifier: Ryan Boniferro (Niagara Falls, ON) with a 7.003
J&S Collision $50 - Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)- Ted Barnes (Caistorville, ON) with a 7.013
Saturday May 23 - Results
Chris VanBaalen posted a soft 10.952 in qualifying but got it sorted out by round one where he defeated Jerry Highway with an .024 tree. Round two saw him overcome a significant starting line disadvantage when Ryan Boniferro laid a .003 light to VanBaalen's .047. Lucky for VanBaalen that Boniferro couldn't run the number and he squeaked through with a 10.905. Then it was Ron D'Alessandro whose .024 tree was no match for VanBaalen's .004 in round three. He then laid an .001 light on Larry Pulver and pushed the Camaro under to a 10.863.
Sam LoVetro was marching through the other side of the ladder taking out the likes of Lynden, Gregoire, Maduri and 2012 TNTSS champion Dave Surmatchewski in the semi's. The final round set up VanBaalen with LoVetro - who was running both Super Pro and TNTSS and in the finals of both. LoVetro had the tree .019 to .055 but went under to lose with at 10.894 to VanBaalen's 10.909 earning him his second win in TNTSS competition.
VanBaalen was quick to thank his parents for all their help. "My dad is always giving me advice whether working on the car or at the track," he added. "I also would like to thank Matt and Sherry Devries at Matts Auto Service for everything they do to keep my car at the track running strong."
The 1986 Monte Carlo has a new sponsor this year with Shawn Ellsworth at the Mac Outpost. "Shawn helps me with the computer that keeps my car dialed in! I'd also like to thank Mark Ackert at www.dragnden.com for his support media wise this year," he added. "And last but not least my girlfriend Celina. If it was not for her I would not be out racing every week. She's my biggest supporter and probably only fan. And thanks to Joe Boniferro and Ted Barnes for giving us a great series to run in."
Specialty Awards - Saturday
Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate - Number One Qualifier: Bill Hill (Rochester, NY) with a 10.902
J&S Collision $50 - Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser): Art Jones (Webster, NY) with a 10.911
Next up on the 2015 TNTSS schedule is a Canadian double on June 6-7 at Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park alongside the DSE Sportsman Series. Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for all the latest news on the most popular sportsman drag racing series in the country.
About the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series (TNTSS): Since it began in 2006, the TNT Super Series has grown into one of the strongest, most competitive sportsman drag racing series in North America and has catapulted many competitors to success on the national and divisional stages.
The TNTSS is a self-governing organization with input from its teams. Based on NHRA's Super Street & IHRA's Hot Rod classes, competitors run on a 10.90 index in the 1/4 mile (7.00 in the 1/8 mile) and race for a guaranteed purse that pays back more than 100% of the racer's entry fees. The yearend points fund provides cash & prizes to the top eight finishers and the Series Champion receives a prize package worth over $4000.00.
The TNTSS is committed to providing the highest level of competition backed by solid media support to showcase its participants across North America. Events are contested at various drag racing facilities in southern Ontario and western New York and put on a spectacular show for the drag racing fan.
CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (after 2 of 10 rounds)
1 Chris VanBaalen 209
2 Paul Young 189
3 Sam LoVetro Jr 170
4 Ryan Boniferro 150
5 Jeff Sobczynski 142
6 Harris Phelps 140
6 Jamie Stoneman 140
8 Ron D'Alessandro 134
9 Ted Barnes 130
9 Larry Pulver 130
About Joe's Transmission: Joe Boniferro has owned and operated Joe's Transmission Service in Niagara Falls, Ontario since 1984. From the original single bay location, the business has progressed to a six bay, five employee automotive complex on Arthur Street. The two storey building houses Joe's Transmission (Commercial, Fleet and Performance Divisions) and Al's Radiator Service. They sell and install aftermarket high performance parts and accessories. As a Firestone Dealer they sell and install drag racing tires. Their specialty is building and repairing high performance transmissions. Contact Joe and his team at (905) 374-6116 or visit them online at www.joestransmission.com
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For more information please contact:
Lewis Robinson/ TNTSS - Media Relations
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