Photos courtesy of David Smith, Kon Rodz Racing
KING, Ont., Canada (June 1, 2013) – Ontario, Canada-based
NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team Kon Rodz Racing announced today that 18 year
old Stefan Kontos will take over the day-to-day operations as team president,
effective immediately. Team owner Spiro Kontos will maintain his role as owner
and CEO of the popular team, now competing in their third full season with
driver Cassie Simonton.
“I will oversee the team operations, but Stefan will have
full control of the team. I’m reducing my role in the team so I can work on
other business ventures. I will still be involved and I’ll attend all of the
races as usual, but all of Stefan’s decisions will be final,” Spiro said.
Despite his young age, Stefan has already proved himself
through his work within the team. He worked to attract a host of new sponsors
to the team, including Sparco USA, Bell Racing Helmets, and Off Axis Custom
Paint. Stefan’s projects also include building the official Kon Rodz Racing
Facebook and Twitter pages. He will use what he learned as he grew up within
the sport to take on additional responsibilities associated with managing a
professional race team.
“I’ve learned a lot from watching my dad run this team as I
grew up. I also pay great attention to how teams like Don Schumacher Racing run
their operations and how it pays off with positive results on and off the
track. By taking what I’ve learned from them, as well as constantly pursuing
sponsors, I hope to bring that same level of professionalism to alcohol racing,”
claimed the younger Kontos, who is currently studying Professional Communications
& Business at Ryerson University.
The new team president has no drastic changes planned for
the near future. Stefan does, however, have strong goals for the rest of the
season.
“I won’t be making any major changes. We had a round-winning
combination last year, so if anything we’ll be building on that. We want to
take it to the next step; winning our first Wally. We have a great team and a great
driver. There is no reason why we can’t be winning races. We’re going to focus
on consistency. After our last race at Norwalk we feel we are back on pace.
We’re looking forward to the summer stretch of the season where we really
shined last year.”
Kontos’ Randy Anderson-tuned KonRodzRacing.com Monte Carlo is
driven by Minnesotan Cassie Simonton, a former Junior Dragster race winner.
Simonton drove the 3,000 horsepower Top Alcohol Funny Car to back-to-back
runner-up finishes during the 2012 season, falling to the legendary Frank Manzo
at Chicago and northeast hitter Paul Gill at Norwalk.
Stefan is already anticipating the challenges of his new
increased role.
“I think that being young and already having a lot going on
with my education will be a challenge, but it’s one I’m eager to take on,”
Stefan added. “I have a great marketing group and support system to assist me
every step of the way. My father will still be very involved with the team, so
he will always be there if I have a question. I’m truly looking forward to the
opportunity he has given me.”
Spiro’s decision to pass on control of the team to his son
has been in the works since the start of the 2013 season. The choice was reinforced
when Stefan added several companies to the team’s list of valued sponsors.
“I’m proud of my son’s involvement in the sport,” Spiro
said. “He really stepped up to the plate this year, bringing in new sponsors
for our team. I think his ideas and
youthful energy will help take Kon Rodz Racing to the next level.”
Stefan is now the third generation in a line of family
businessmen. Spiro founded Kon Rodz Racing after building Direct Waste Systems
and Recyco Environmental, Inc. His father was also a successful entrepreneur.
Cassie Simonton and the Kon Rodz Racing Top Alcohol Funny
Car team will next compete at the Burndown at Sundown NHRA Lucas Oil series
regional event, June 7-9, at Route 66 Raceway outside of Chicago.
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, Sparco USA, Bell Racing Helmets, CRC Automotive Products,
Mid-Ontario Truck Centre, and Off Axis Custom Paint.
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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