Photos courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing
KING, Ont. (March 1, 2013) – The weeks leading up to the
start of a new season are exciting for any race team, but they're much more
exciting for the Kon Rodz Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team. The Canadian group
is ready to escape the frigid climate of the north to begin the 2013 Lucas Oil
Drag Racing Series championship season in the sunny south. The high
expectations set last year just add to the enthusiasm.
“2012 was a great season for our team, our sponsors, and our
fans. We proved that we have what it takes to qualify on top and win rounds. I
think a lot of people really started to pay attention to us after the
back-to-back final round appearances in Chicago and Norwalk. The team can't
wait to build upon our success this season,” said team owner Spiro Kontos.
Team driver Cassie Simonton feels the same way about the
upcoming season.
“We're all excited to get back to the racetrack just because
of how great it was last year, going to back-to-back finals. The car got better
and I got better as a driver. I'm looking forward to testing so we can get back
into that routine and prepare for Gainesville so we can hopefully get our first
Wally.”
Though the winter season is a welcomed break from the
stressful atmosphere at the track, the whole team kept busy. Cassie, Patrick,
and Rob began work on Spiro's latest project, a 1950 GMC pickup street rod
nicknamed TOYPULER. Veteran crew chief Randy Anderson prepared the team's fuel
pumps at his Advanced Power Systems shop in California. On top of work on the
street rod and the Funny Car, Cassie did a variety of activities to improve her
skills as a driver.
“I've been working out a lot,” Cassie said. “I work out
three to four times a week, just to keep myself in shape and make my legs stronger
so I'm ready to go when I'm back in the car. I've also been doing my practice
tree every week so I can be at the top of my game.”
Kon Rodz Racing is excited to bring a new sponsor into NHRA
drag racing. Mexico City, Mexico-based Sadi, a fire and aviation fuel supply
system provider, will be joining on as a sponsor of the Kon Rodz TAFC. Sadi manufactures and maintains pneumatic fuel systems and
fuel/fire tank truck equipment for airports and other aviation applications.
Though currently located out of the country, the company is in the phases of
expanding to the United States and Canada.
Sparco USA has signed on to provide top-notch safety
equipment for Simonton in 2013 and beyond. Sparco offers a wide variety of
parts and equipment for performance vehicles and their drivers, including
firesuits, helmets, harnesses, and seats.
The team is also eager to welcome new crew members Cam
Brady, clutch assistant, and Deanna Stewardson, director of hospitality. Aside
from the additional members, the crew from last season remains the same.
To start the season, Cassie, Randy, and the crew will meet
up at South Georgia Motorsports Park for two days of testing, March 11-12. Due
to prior commitments, Kontos will not be present during testing. This will be
the first time since Kon Rodz began Alcohol Funny Car racing that Spiro will
not be there to proudly watch his hot rod scream down the quarter mile.
Following testing, the team will head south to Gainesville, Florida, for the
NHRA Mello Yello Series east coast opener, the 44th Annual
Gatornationals. For updates from both testing and the Gatornationals, follow
the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/konrodzracing)
and Twitter (www.twitter.com/konrodzpr).
Kon Rodz Racing is a NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team owned
by Canadian businessman Spiro Kontos. Minnesota native Cassie Simonton drives
the team's familiar orange and purple KonRodzRacing.com Monte Carlo Alcohol Funny
Car in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Spiro, Cassie, and the entire Kon
Rodz team are grateful to the quality companies that support their racing
program; Sadi, Lucas Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Goodson, BAE, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac
Tools, Artist ButchM, ithreesixty Music Infused Apparel, Flaming River
Industries, and Sparco USA.
For more information on Kon Rodz Racing, please visit www.konrodzracing.com. Keep up with
Cassie and the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/konrodzracing)
and Twitter (www.twitter.com/CassieSimonton
and www.twitter.com/KonRodzPR).
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