ROUTE 66 RACEWAY RACE #6
Sunday, partly cloudy and hi in the 80's. This is the Top Sportsman Series seasons finale at Route 66 Raceway. The day started with 3 racers that could capture the title as "Track Champion". Tony Grzelinski, the 2008 & 2009 defending champion, Brian Brown and Jim Tacchia. By 2nd Rd Brian & Jim where matched up. Brian lost to Jim and then there where 2 Then in the 2nd Rd, Jim met his match and lost. By the semi-finals Tony was the only one left and capture his 3rd "Track Champion" title. Congratulations to Tony Grzelinski and crew!
Tony did make it all the way to the final round, where he met up with Curt Fredricks. Curt had been on fire all day. He was the #1 qualifier and looked flawless. When the tree came down, Tony left on Curt, in Curts words "I couldn't catch him at the 1000ft mark, but then Tony started to fall back". When viewing the race, we heard a boom and saw death smoke come out from under Tony's car. Curt went on to win the race, Congratulations Curt Fredricks and crew on there win at Route 66 Raceway! When Tony returned to the pits, he had damaged the engine. There was 29 enteries at the Top Sportsman race. A big thanks to Route 66 Raceway for a great year.
Sunday, partly cloudy and hi in the 80's. This is the Top Sportsman Series seasons finale at Route 66 Raceway. The day started with 3 racers that could capture the title as "Track Champion". Tony Grzelinski, the 2008 & 2009 defending champion, Brian Brown and Jim Tacchia. By 2nd Rd Brian & Jim where matched up. Brian lost to Jim and then there where 2 Then in the 2nd Rd, Jim met his match and lost. By the semi-finals Tony was the only one left and capture his 3rd "Track Champion" title. Congratulations to Tony Grzelinski and crew!
Tony did make it all the way to the final round, where he met up with Curt Fredricks. Curt had been on fire all day. He was the #1 qualifier and looked flawless. When the tree came down, Tony left on Curt, in Curts words "I couldn't catch him at the 1000ft mark, but then Tony started to fall back". When viewing the race, we heard a boom and saw death smoke come out from under Tony's car. Curt went on to win the race, Congratulations Curt Fredricks and crew on there win at Route 66 Raceway! When Tony returned to the pits, he had damaged the engine. There was 29 enteries at the Top Sportsman race. A big thanks to Route 66 Raceway for a great year.
US 131 MARTIN, MI RACE #7
“The Monkey is finally off my back", This is what Sean said after winning Race #7 at US 131 in Martin, MI. Sean has been an active member for 2yrs now and has stepped up and became one of the directors. Sean who drives a 1968 Dodge Charger, has been trying his best to be in the winners circle. Now he finally has done it this year. It was not easy, he had to face some tuogh compitition along the way. But in the finals he met up with the "Young Buck" Steve Howard. Steve is new to Top Sportsman Racing and has alread shown he is not playing, he is hungry and wants to win. The finals where around 9:30pm and they lined up. The tree came down and Steve left first. By top end Sean realed him in and just passed him before the line. Congratulations to Sean Brady and crew on there first win of the season. Look Sean the bounty is now on you! Also Congrats to Steve Howard and crew on there runner-up. I'm sure we have not seen the last of steve in the finals. Thanks to all the Top Sportsman that showed up and the new members that joined us.
“The Monkey is finally off my back", This is what Sean said after winning Race #7 at US 131 in Martin, MI. Sean has been an active member for 2yrs now and has stepped up and became one of the directors. Sean who drives a 1968 Dodge Charger, has been trying his best to be in the winners circle. Now he finally has done it this year. It was not easy, he had to face some tuogh compitition along the way. But in the finals he met up with the "Young Buck" Steve Howard. Steve is new to Top Sportsman Racing and has alread shown he is not playing, he is hungry and wants to win. The finals where around 9:30pm and they lined up. The tree came down and Steve left first. By top end Sean realed him in and just passed him before the line. Congratulations to Sean Brady and crew on there first win of the season. Look Sean the bounty is now on you! Also Congrats to Steve Howard and crew on there runner-up. I'm sure we have not seen the last of steve in the finals. Thanks to all the Top Sportsman that showed up and the new members that joined us.
US 131 MARTIN, MI RACE #8
The drive to the track didn't look promising, it was raining. But by 12 noon the skies cleared, the track was dried and we where ready to start racing. The car turnout was better at 13 cars, but still low. I'm sure the weather scared off a lot of racers. After qualifying Jeff Fleming was #1 qualifier at 6.86 @ 200mph. Throughout the day the weather was great, along with the track. By the Finals it was Dave Howard VS Mike Olenick. All day Mike was on his A-game averaging a .004 R/T and running within .001 of his dial-in. Dave was no slouch himself, he was running consistant 7.0's all day. This was going to be a great finals. Dave & crew knew they where going to have to do something to better there chances to win. After they brainstormed, they took a shot in the dark by switching lanes. All day Mike had been winning in the left lane and Dave had been winning in the right. This was a shot in the dark that paid off, with Dave Howard winning the event. Great racing by both teams! Congratulations to Dave Howard & crew on there win. Also to Mike Olenick & crew on his R/U. Mike also won the "Who got the Light" Bonus. Also Congratulations to Steve Howard on winning the "Bounty Hunter" Bonus, taking out Sean Brady, the winner of race #7. Thanks to all Top Sportsman racers that came out. Thanks to all of our sponsors that make this possible.
Qualifying Field:
#1 Jeff Fleming 97 Camaro 6.86 @ 200mph
#2 Dave Howard 02 Trans Am 7.05 @ 195mph
#3 Joe Cleary Jr 57 Chevy 7.07 @ 192mph
#4 Dan Howorth 99 Camaro 7.27 @ 188mph
#5 Sean Brady 68 Charger 7.48 @ 181mph
#6 Doug Coeling 67 Camaro 7.49 @ 185mph
#7 Brian Brown 02 Camaro 7.53 @ 181mph
#8 Mike Olenick 95 Beretta 7.59 @ 179mph
#9 Alex Bosak 02 Neon 7.64 @ 179mph
#10 Joe Palmer 07 GTO 7.73 @ 177mph
#11 Steve Howard 02 Camaro 7.73 @ 180mph
#12 Brent Rooker 69 Camaro 7.79 @ 142mph
#13 Tom Begler 92 Firebird 8.05 @ 171mph
The drive to the track didn't look promising, it was raining. But by 12 noon the skies cleared, the track was dried and we where ready to start racing. The car turnout was better at 13 cars, but still low. I'm sure the weather scared off a lot of racers. After qualifying Jeff Fleming was #1 qualifier at 6.86 @ 200mph. Throughout the day the weather was great, along with the track. By the Finals it was Dave Howard VS Mike Olenick. All day Mike was on his A-game averaging a .004 R/T and running within .001 of his dial-in. Dave was no slouch himself, he was running consistant 7.0's all day. This was going to be a great finals. Dave & crew knew they where going to have to do something to better there chances to win. After they brainstormed, they took a shot in the dark by switching lanes. All day Mike had been winning in the left lane and Dave had been winning in the right. This was a shot in the dark that paid off, with Dave Howard winning the event. Great racing by both teams! Congratulations to Dave Howard & crew on there win. Also to Mike Olenick & crew on his R/U. Mike also won the "Who got the Light" Bonus. Also Congratulations to Steve Howard on winning the "Bounty Hunter" Bonus, taking out Sean Brady, the winner of race #7. Thanks to all Top Sportsman racers that came out. Thanks to all of our sponsors that make this possible.
Qualifying Field:
#1 Jeff Fleming 97 Camaro 6.86 @ 200mph
#2 Dave Howard 02 Trans Am 7.05 @ 195mph
#3 Joe Cleary Jr 57 Chevy 7.07 @ 192mph
#4 Dan Howorth 99 Camaro 7.27 @ 188mph
#5 Sean Brady 68 Charger 7.48 @ 181mph
#6 Doug Coeling 67 Camaro 7.49 @ 185mph
#7 Brian Brown 02 Camaro 7.53 @ 181mph
#8 Mike Olenick 95 Beretta 7.59 @ 179mph
#9 Alex Bosak 02 Neon 7.64 @ 179mph
#10 Joe Palmer 07 GTO 7.73 @ 177mph
#11 Steve Howard 02 Camaro 7.73 @ 180mph
#12 Brent Rooker 69 Camaro 7.79 @ 142mph
#13 Tom Begler 92 Firebird 8.05 @ 171mph
US 131 MARTIN, MI RACE #9
The day started out cold and cloudy, with the temp around 60 degrees for race #9. We had some bad gust of wind crossing the track at top end. By 2pm the track GM had made a decision to run 1/8thmile before we started qualifying. The car count was ok with 13 qualifying. Early in the day the track had a lot of bite in it fooling some drivers. By 2nd Rd of qualifying, Tim Kirman figured it out and was the #1 qualifier with a 4.32 @ 163 mph, just pushing out Jeff Fleming who ran a 4.35 ET. Throughout the day there was some great racing. By the semi-finals we had our first Father/Son match, with Dave Howard VS Steve Howard. When they staged, dad had to teach the kid some old tricks and double staged on him to make him nervous. But when the lights came down Steve left first and never looked back, taking the win and also collecting the “Bounty Hunter” purse. By the finals it was Joe Palmer VS Steve Howard. Both of these racers have been in the finals before and are hungry for the win. When the lights came down, Steve left first then Joe launched, spinning the tires hard, but recovering to chase Steve down. At the finish line, Steve crossed first but broke out, handing the win to Joe. As Joe’s crew member had told him, “That horse shoe was lodged way up there, this whole race” for this to happen. That’s Racing! Congratulations to Joe Palmer and crew on there win. Also to Steve Howard and crew on there Runner-Up.
We have ended our Eastern swing of our 11 race series at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI. We would like to thank US 131 for hosting our series and hope to schedule there again in 2011. Thank you for a great track and facility also your helpful and cooperative staff!
The day started out cold and cloudy, with the temp around 60 degrees for race #9. We had some bad gust of wind crossing the track at top end. By 2pm the track GM had made a decision to run 1/8thmile before we started qualifying. The car count was ok with 13 qualifying. Early in the day the track had a lot of bite in it fooling some drivers. By 2nd Rd of qualifying, Tim Kirman figured it out and was the #1 qualifier with a 4.32 @ 163 mph, just pushing out Jeff Fleming who ran a 4.35 ET. Throughout the day there was some great racing. By the semi-finals we had our first Father/Son match, with Dave Howard VS Steve Howard. When they staged, dad had to teach the kid some old tricks and double staged on him to make him nervous. But when the lights came down Steve left first and never looked back, taking the win and also collecting the “Bounty Hunter” purse. By the finals it was Joe Palmer VS Steve Howard. Both of these racers have been in the finals before and are hungry for the win. When the lights came down, Steve left first then Joe launched, spinning the tires hard, but recovering to chase Steve down. At the finish line, Steve crossed first but broke out, handing the win to Joe. As Joe’s crew member had told him, “That horse shoe was lodged way up there, this whole race” for this to happen. That’s Racing! Congratulations to Joe Palmer and crew on there win. Also to Steve Howard and crew on there Runner-Up.
We have ended our Eastern swing of our 11 race series at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI. We would like to thank US 131 for hosting our series and hope to schedule there again in 2011. Thank you for a great track and facility also your helpful and cooperative staff!
CORDOVA DRAGWAY PARK RACES #10 & 11
Saturday was rained out, but we didn't let that get to us. Some of our sponsors, members and friends had put together a season ending party. Good food, Good friends, Great party!
After a long night, it was Sunday morning, time for some racing. The morning started off with an announcement that the winners prize purse was increased to $4000.00 and the same for the rest of the pay outs. this was going to be the biggest pay out so far in MWTS history. There were 27 cars that qualified and they were all looking to be on top. After qualifying, Tim Kirman was #1 qualifier with a 6.73 ET. Also there was a winner in the 2 rd qualifying for the "Dial for Dollars", Rob Pierce won that running a 7.641 on a 7.64 dial, nice job! It was cool and sunny, some great racing weather and the track was in great shape. When eliminations started, there was some great side-by-side racing, nobody was giving up easily. But in the quarter finals there was trouble, when Dan Howorth hit the wall around the 600ft mark. After the car stopped, Dan got out of the car, thanks to the safety equipment these cars carry. Dan was ok but a little sore. By the Semi-Finals it was Team Tacchia VS Bill Rotz and Mike Olenick VS Bye. Dave & Bill lined up, the tree came down and at the 100ft mark Dave had to lift. Bill ran it out winning. Mike lined up and ran it out to get lane choice for the finals. When these two lined up, it was time to lay it on the line. When the tree was activated and came down, there was a silence, then you heard the roar of 2 cars going into battle. By the finish, it was Bill Rotz taking the win. Congratulations Bill Rotz and crew on their win. Also Congratulations to Mike Olenick and crew on runner-up. We had some other winners, Tom Begler taking out Joe Palmer and winning the "Bounty Hunter" purse of $50.00. Bill Rotz winning another bounty of $200.00 that was placed on team Tacchia the points leader. And also Congratulations to Team Tacchia on winning the MWTS "The Purse Snatcher" Championship points. This team had all the makings of champions: Dedication, Team Work and a great passion towards Top Sportsman racing. Congratulations!
Saturday was rained out, but we didn't let that get to us. Some of our sponsors, members and friends had put together a season ending party. Good food, Good friends, Great party!
After a long night, it was Sunday morning, time for some racing. The morning started off with an announcement that the winners prize purse was increased to $4000.00 and the same for the rest of the pay outs. this was going to be the biggest pay out so far in MWTS history. There were 27 cars that qualified and they were all looking to be on top. After qualifying, Tim Kirman was #1 qualifier with a 6.73 ET. Also there was a winner in the 2 rd qualifying for the "Dial for Dollars", Rob Pierce won that running a 7.641 on a 7.64 dial, nice job! It was cool and sunny, some great racing weather and the track was in great shape. When eliminations started, there was some great side-by-side racing, nobody was giving up easily. But in the quarter finals there was trouble, when Dan Howorth hit the wall around the 600ft mark. After the car stopped, Dan got out of the car, thanks to the safety equipment these cars carry. Dan was ok but a little sore. By the Semi-Finals it was Team Tacchia VS Bill Rotz and Mike Olenick VS Bye. Dave & Bill lined up, the tree came down and at the 100ft mark Dave had to lift. Bill ran it out winning. Mike lined up and ran it out to get lane choice for the finals. When these two lined up, it was time to lay it on the line. When the tree was activated and came down, there was a silence, then you heard the roar of 2 cars going into battle. By the finish, it was Bill Rotz taking the win. Congratulations Bill Rotz and crew on their win. Also Congratulations to Mike Olenick and crew on runner-up. We had some other winners, Tom Begler taking out Joe Palmer and winning the "Bounty Hunter" purse of $50.00. Bill Rotz winning another bounty of $200.00 that was placed on team Tacchia the points leader. And also Congratulations to Team Tacchia on winning the MWTS "The Purse Snatcher" Championship points. This team had all the makings of champions: Dedication, Team Work and a great passion towards Top Sportsman racing. Congratulations!