Prior to the Big O Tires Nationals, we spoke with Stefan Kontos of the Spiro Kontos-owned Kon Rodz Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team.
Stefan Kontos
Top Alcohol News-What is your title at Kon Rodz Racing?
Stefan Kontos-Officially, I'm the owner's son, and I tend to stay closer to the behind the scenes stuff like Marketing, Branding, and pretty much as much as I can that involves the day to day management of the team, whenever my time away from school allows. Unofficially, I'm the team joker. I'm the one that tries to find as much fun stuff to both around the track and in the towns that are usually near us. So like I find hotels with pools that we can use, or theme parks. All that kind of stuff.
TAN-Give us a brief history of the team.
SK-We started out in 2005 doing some local Top Sportsman racing. After my dad got in a car accident, he revisited his passion of collecting cars while recovering. So eventually we picked up a Firebird and we did some local stuff. We never really did too much with that car, a couple weekends, but it was really fun, which is what racing really is all about to us. We ended up jumping straight to nitro and put together both a nostalgia car and a big show car.
After a few outings, we realized that without much financial support, you can't really compete at such a pro level in Nitro, so we sold that all to Australia and bought a Pro Mod 1963 'Vette. I begged my dad not to go Pro Mod racing, so we ended up trading the 'vette for a 2006 Monte Carlo FC from Bruce Mullins out of Virginia.
We went IHRA racing for a bit, then they disbanded the class due to lack of funding. We headed to NHRA and are we're going in to our 4th season with NHRA next year. We have Randy Anderson of Advanced Power Systems as our tuner and really had a great year this year. We reset our personal best twice, ran very consistantly, and got our first round win ever as a team in any class. We're really excited for next year. Hopefully we'll make a run for the Top 10, or even Top 5 nationally.
TAN-What does the future hold for Kon Rodz Racing?
SK- Well, just like any other team, right now were putting together equipment for next year and trying to find that part or piece that adds to the car’s performance. So we’re working hard at doing that at the moment. We are going to be running a 1 car team next year once again with Cassie Simonton driving. I’m sure as everyone has seen, my dad is looking for a Nostalgia Front Engine Dragster, so hopefully him and I can put something together that works with my schedule with school, I can do some licensing and maybe some match racing mid to late next year. The ultimate goal for me is to drive an alcohol funny car, but collectively we all feel that I should try something that’s a little less aggressive and safer for me to learn in at first.
TAN- What are your thoughts on the current and future state of alcohol racing?
SK- Hmm, that’s definitely something that everyone has been discussing lately. To be honest, other than division 1 and 3, I have never been to any other divisionals. So I can't really say that I know a lot about those other divisions, other than the usual reading I do on Drag Race Central. But what I do know about division 1 and 3 is that they are 2 extremely competitive divisions. I’m not trying to take anything away from any other divisions. Right now, the Alcohol class is so competitive, and there are multiple cars that can win on any given Sunday. I think that Division 3 has a really good program put together with Norwalk and the Bader family. They treat every single racer, spectator, and guest of the track as if they are family, which is something that we all enjoy.
We really do have a great program to offer and it is a shame that not all tracks do what the Bader family does at SMP. In Division 3 we race on some truly spectacular facilities, ith Chicago, Indy, and Norwalk in the top 3 on my personal list. I think that those races are ones that the majority of D3 racers look forward to the most, and look forward to throwing down on. Unfortunately we have the fact that Norwalk is really the only track we get an apparent turnout from. They absolutely PACK those stands and fences with people. Obviously they’re doing something right. But, Norwalk isn’t the only track that the divisional series offers. Weekend upon weekend we have cars going to races that only have 2 or 3 cars, and hardly any fan turn out, which in my mind is a shame. I think that the proposed program that the NHRA is discussing with racers is a really solid program. Of course, there needs to be some revisions to it, but with the current situation we’re all in, something needs to be done for sure.
I haven't really read too much further into the new situation, but what I can say is that something definitely needs to be done. Take division 3 for example. We had so many cars that were top hitters all in one division. It was really difficult for you to qualify for the 8 car field at times. That’s what made it so much fun and why you had so many out of division cars coming to race with the d3 hitters at times.
Take Chicago for example... last year the bump was a 6.30 and we didn’t get in because we ran like a 6.56...this year you had cars running low 50's and the bump was a 5.69 I believe. It just shows you how much things have changed and how competitive and developing this class really is. I just hope that for the sake of the class, the NHRA realizes this and also that the economy turns around. There are too many good teams sitting on the sidelines that we all miss as being part of our big family. It’s a shame that you have such talented people on the sidelines because of the economy. We’re just hoping that things turn around so they can be back out there.
TAN- In your opinion, what improvements could be made to alcohol racing?
SK- How do I think that Alcohol Racing can improve….Well first there is the obvious. Well to me it’s obvious at least. Unfortunately, the turnout at divisionals as far as fans isn’t the greatest. As racers, we all love and appreciate the support that we get from the fans that turn out. However, I think that in order to improve the class, we need to go to an all national level. From a business standpoint, nationals are the logical decision. The payouts are higher, there is more exposure for the companies that sponsor you, and your team gets so much more attention from both the media and fans. In today’s economy, that is what we need; More exposure for the teams and sponsors. So to me, I think that if we eased away from the divisional format, the class would improve incredibly. Besides, who doesn’t like running all out on the nation’s best tracks, having the field separated by the smallest fractions of time possible. That is what racing is all about.
TAN- What do you enjoy most about going to the track?
SK- The track is really a place that I call home. For the past 6 or so years, I have not stopped thinking about racing. It’s really a sickness, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. To narrow down on one thing is pretty hard. I’d have to say being around the people is probably my favorite thing. And when I say people, I mean the racers, fans, and NHRA officials. At the track, we all have a common goal to make Drag Racing the largest recognized motorsport in the world. Unfortunately, it's taking a little longer for that to happen, but hey, all in time. Everyone we race with is a class act. You have so many people that root for you, support you, and are there for you if you need an extra part to finish your servicing, or an extra hand in between rounds. It’s truly a family and that’s what I really enjoy most about the racers. You will never find a better group of people then what we have right now.
The fans that support NHRA Drag Racing are the best fans in the world. I think that we put on a great show for them and it really shows when you have people coming up to you and thanking you for giving them or their family members such an amazing experience. That’s something that the NHRA does really well in my opinion.
The NHRA officials are really cool as well. You have a bunch of people that truly care about the sport. I have my buddy Coop who is the NHRA National Event Coordinator. Coop and I met a few years ago and he always makes the time to stop by and say hi to us whenever he’s not running around. He works with a guy named Jason who is also a great guy, I believe it ia his first year with the NHRA. They're both really super guys that have a passion for the sport and you see that in their work. You then have all of the division directors that treat us like gold. Similar to Jason & Coop, they have a passion for the sport and want to make sure that as racers, we have the best time racing.
TAN- Who are your favorite teams to race with in TAFC?
SK- That’s a tough one. There are so many great teams out there with amazing people. It’s a pleasure and honor to be racing with every single team out there. In Alcohol it truly is one big family out there and we all have lots of fun doing what we do. We’re very fortunate to say the least. In funny car, I'd have to say that I really enjoy racing with the Fosters, Paul Gill and Team, Wayne Butler, Tom Carter and his team, the Parker Family & Brent Henry, The Lombardo's (thank you for helping us out in Indy!). The Pomponio's are a great group as well. I also really enjoyed racing against Steve Harker and his family, as they were always really great to us and are truly a great group to be around. I also have to say I really enjoy racing against the Larry Dobbs team as they are fellow Canadians and are about 2 hours away from us. They have a great team, and can be a threat on Sunday. That team car was piloted by Paul Noakes, who used to race with us in the IHRA, so it was nice to have him and a few guys that crewed for him out there racing with us again. And of course, the Mickey Ferro team is a great group of guys. And last, but certainly not least, "Uncle Frank" Manzo. Frank is a tremendous competitor and I am both happy and honored to say that he is a friend of ours. Frank is truly a class act and is someone that truly makes the Top Alcohol Funny Car class what it is. He really is someone that will take the shirt off his back for you and help you to the best of his ability. We had a second round match up with him in Indy and even though he beat us, we really enjoyed racing him. He has really tried his best to help Cassie and offer some advice whenever she needs it.
I really didn't mean to forget anyone if I did. To summarize, everyone we race with is a class act. We never have any problems with anyone and we really do enjoy racing against each and every person we have lined up against. When Cassie first got into the car, the amount of people that offered help and support was really amazing. It just shows you the camaraderie in the Funny Car class.
TAN- What about in the Dragster class?
SK- Now Top Alcohol Dragster is another class that is full of my favorites. Obviously, we don’t race TAD, but that class is full of so many great teams and competitors. You have the Booher Construction Team with the Spitzer car piloted by Brandon Booher. To say that they came a long way this year is truly an understatement. We have been friends with the Booher’s ever since we came to the NHRA and I am so proud of what they did this year. Every single person on that team is someone I am proud to call a friend. They had great runs this year and even got the record for the world’s fastest and first converter car into the 5.3 second range. So I definitely have to say that the Booher team is my overall favorite.
But like I said, that class if full of great people. You have the Chris Demke-driven Peen Rite car owned by Jerry Maddern. Chris, Jerry, Kevin, Mike, and Ronald are all a really great group of guys that know how to win. That car is a beast and is a threat anywhere it goes. So they’re definitely one team that I’m constantly rooting for.
Then you have a bunch of other teams like the Reichert team, Duane Shields' team, Doug Foley & the Tom Conway Dragster, Mike Manners in the "Shredder" car, the Pickett Racing team, and the Randy Meyer Racing team, whom I am proud to say I beat in the unofficial "avoid the rain" pit-bike challenge in Norwalk this year. Once again, if I missed anyone, I apologize. You all know that I consider you friends and great people that I’m so lucky to be around on the weekends!
TAN- Is there anyone that you would like to thank?
SK- I have to thank my family and team for supporting me and giving me the opportunity to be part of such an amazing organization. My father, Spiro, is the reason that this is all happening. I'm living the dream, even though I'm not driving....yet! My stepmother, Fay, is someone I have to thank for putting up with all my shenanigans when I'm at home and dad is away racing.
Last but not least, my team. Cassie is like a sister to me and she really wants to see me do well in racing one day, so I am very lucky to have her in my corner. Marquis, I don't think I could go racing without Marquis on my side. He is an amazing part of this family; he works a mean clutch as well. I also have to thank a great friend and someone that I really look up to, Pat. He joined us this year doing bottom end. Immediately he fit in to our team and family. Pat is a tremendous asset to our team; it wouldn't be the same without him. Cory, who is like a brother to me. He and I are always the two guys finding some fun at the track; I couldn't go racing without him, as well. Our truck driver, Jeff, who recently joined us at Indy, is our newest part of the family. I can't forget my buddy, Mike, for always being there for me and constantly providing comic relief. Last but not least, our tuner, Randy. He'll be the one that will help me get in to a race car, making sure I have a safe and competitive ride underneath me one day.
I want to thank Top Alcohol News for this opportunity and for taking the time to do this interview. I hope the next time we speak, I will be discussing my plans for my own racing.
TAN- Thanks for speaking with us, good luck!
Feel free to contact Stefan Kontos via Facebook or on Twitter (@StefanKontos).
