Bellemeur Named as New SK Racing Driver

Courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing

GLENDALE, AZ. (May 20) – Sean Bellemeur has been named as the driver of the SK Racing/Kon Rodz Top Alcohol Funny Car in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, it was announced today by team owner and founder Spiro Kontos. Southern California native Bellemeur, 32, is a five-time NHRA national event finalist, most recently at the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals last February.

A second-generation racer, Bellemeur has extensive driving experience in everything from Jr. Dragsters to front-engine Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters. Most recently, he has been the driver of the MasterCam Camaro Top Alcohol Funny Car. He will continue to drive that car at select events, splitting his schedule with the Kon Rodz Team. Bellemeur will make his debut in the Kon Rodz entry at the upcoming O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill., June 26-29. Both entries are tuned by two-time NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion Randy Anderson.

“The opportunity to drive and collect points on both ends of the country in two of the best Top Alcohol Funny Cars out there is almost overwhelming to think about,” said Bellemeur. “I’m excited to get started representing Spiro Kontos and the team’s loyal sponsors. I’m also very excited to continue to work with Randy Anderson. I’m very blessed to have this opportunity.”
Bellemeur replaces Cassie Simonton, who had been the team’s driver since 2009.

“We are committed to building a program that is capable of contending for both race wins and national championships,” said SK Racing founder Spiro Kontos. “In order to achieve those goals it is sometimes necessary to make difficult decisions and this was definitely one of those. Although this was a tough decision, it was one that I felt needed to be made. Cassie will always have a place in our organization.

“Looking forward, we are very excited to have Sean as a member of our team. He has proven himself as a very capable driver in a variety of cars and we believe that he provides the best chance for us to get our long-awaited first NHRA national event victory. Our goal is to continue to represent our sponsors in a professional manner and to our best to put Sean in a position to contend for the NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car championship.”

Kon Rods Racing is proud to be associated with the following companies:
Rat Pack Apparel, CRC Industries, Aerodine Composites Group, Bell Helmets USA, MasterCam, Nick Pastura Motorsports, Sparco USA, Goodyear Tire, NGK Spark Plugs, MAHLE/Clevite, Goodson Tools, and Hedman Hedders. 

Sean Bellemeur/Kon Rodz Racing 2014 NHRA SCHEDULE

EVENT LOCATION DATE
O’Reilly Route 66 Nationals Joliet, Ill. June 26-29
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Norwalk, Ohio July 3-6
Division 6 Regional Woodburn, Ore. July 11-13
Division 3 Regional Columbus, Ohio July 18-20
O’Reilly Auto Parts Northwest Nationals Kent, Wash. Aug. 1-3
Division 6 Regional Kent, Wash. Aug. 14-16
Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Indianapolis, Ind. Aug. 27-Sept. 1
NHRA Carolina Nationals Concord, N.C. Sept. 12-14
AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Ennis, Texas Sept. 19-21
NHRA Nationals Reading, Pa. Oct. 2-5
Toyota NHRA Nationals Las Vegas, Nev. Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Division 7 Regional Las Vegas, Nev. Nov. 6-9
Auto Club NHRA Finals Pomona, Calif. Nov. 14-16

Simonton Starting 2014 with New Mindset, New Sponsors

Press release and photo courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 7) – Canadian Top Alcohol Funny Car team Kon Rodz Racing is preparing for its fifth season with fan-favorite driver Cassie Simonton. Also back with the team is veteran crew chief Randy Anderson, who won the 1993 and 1994 TAFC world titles as a driver. Kon Rodz has spent the last month preparing their red, black, and white Monte Carlo, which will hit the track at Valdosta testing next week.

“We've been at the North Carolina shop for the last couple weeks, preparing the car and stocking the trailer full of parts. Randy arrived this week to help make sure everything is ready for testing at the beginning of next week. He also worked on some new ideas for the fuel system over the winter that we're excited to test,” said Simonton, who lives in Brownsburg, Ind.

Cassie and the team will take part in South Georgia Motorsports Park's pre-Gatornationals test session, March 10-11.

“The first couple of passes will basically be shakedown passes to get me back into the routine, as I haven't been in the car in five months. The weather should be cool, which will hopefully help get us into the 5.50s and maybe even our first 5.4 once we get to Gainesville,” Cassie added.

Simonton, a UNOH graduate who started at Kon Rodz as a crew member intern, is starting her fifth season as the driver of the Spiro Kontos-owned alcohol funny car. She's eager to kick off the 2014 season with a new mindset.

“I feel a lot calmer going into this season. I'm going to have fun and not stress over so many things. I think sometimes drivers get caught up in the stress, then they start making mistakes. Maybe that's what started to happen at the end of last season. I know how to drive the car; I just need to go out there, get in the right mindset, have fun, and hopefully success will follow. We would love to get back into the groove we were in in 2012 when we were winning rounds.”

Team president Stefan Kontos has also been busy over the winter, working to maintain sponsor relationships and create new partnerships.

“CRC Industries has signed on as a major associate sponsor to help promote their line of automotive chemical products, including CRC Brakleen ®. The team's Bell Helmets will be painted by new team partner Nick Pastura Motorsports, a leading painter for top NHRA and NASCAR drivers. 2013 supporters Aerodine Composites and Sparco USA will return to become the exclusive carbon composites and firesuit providers, respectively. Goodyear Tire, NGK Spark Plugs, MAHLE/Clevite, Goodson Tools, Hedman Husler Hedders, and CleanBoost Performance Oils round out Kon Rodz Racing's marketing partners,” Kontos commented.

Rat Pack Apparel, Stefan's new retro-themed racing clothing line will also appear on the car as a major associate sponsor.


Kon Rodz Racing is an NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team owned by Canadian businessman Spiro Kontos. Minnesota native Cassie Simonton drives the team's 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 companies that support their racing program: Rat Pack Apparel, CRC Industries, Aerodine Composites Group, Bell Helmets, CleanBoost Performance Oils, Nick Pastura Motorsports, Sparco USA, Bell Helmets, Goodyear Tire, NGK Spark Plugs, MAHLE/Clevite, Goodson Tools, and Hedman Hedders.

For more information on Kon Rodz Racing, please visit www.konrodzracing.com. Keep up with Cassie on the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/konrodzracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/cassiesimonton and www.twitter.com/konrodzpr).

Simonton Closing 2013 Season at Carolina Nationals

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of NVW MP

CONCORD, N.C. (September 11) – Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Cassie Simonton returns to Charlotte’s zMax Dragway this weekend to chase a NHRA Wally for the last time in 2013. The Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals will be the last race for Simonton and her Kon Rodz Racing team before beginning their offseason preparations for the 2014 season.

“We chose to end our season at Charlotte for a variety of reasons. We have always run well at zMax Dragway; the team’s career-best numbers were set here last year. We want to end our season with another record performance, and maybe a win. Additonally, the Charlotte area is home to many passionate race fans and automotive enthusiasts, our sponsors’ core demographic. What better way to cap off the season than with a solid performance in front of our sponsors and their customers,” said Stefan Kontos, team president.

Simonton is confident in her team’s abilities to provide her with a fast, capable race car.

“We’ve had a great car lately, but we’ve run into some tough match-ups in the second round of eliminations. I’m confident that we can qualify well so we can avoid the tough cars until late into eliminations,” Cassie said. “The weather forecast is calling for conditions that could produce some of our best E.T.s of the season this weekend.”

  

Following the completion of the event, the team will focus on their efforts for the 2014 season – Cassie and the team on on-track performance and Stefan zeroed in on securing team support.

“Similar to any other race team, funding and corporate support drive our ability to attend races and chase championships. We are actively seeking support at any level for 2014 and beyond. If you feel your company could benefit from a partnership with Kon Rodz Racing, please do not hesitate to contact myself or a team member,” Kontos.

Cassie Simonton and her Randy Anderson-tuned Kon Rodz Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car will get three chances to qualify at the Carlyle Tools NHRA Carolina Nationals, Sept. 13-15 – two on Friday and one on Saturday morning before first round of eliminations. Eliminations continue on Sunday.

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 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, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac Tools, Artist ButchM, Top Alcohol News, Bell Racing, CRC Automotive Products, Mid-Ontario Mack, Schepel GMC-Buick, Aerodine Composites Group, 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).

Simonton Takes a Wild Ride at Indy

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of NVW M.P.

CLERMONT, Ind. (September 4, 2013) – Top Alcohol Funny Car fan favorite Cassie Simonton suffered a close first round loss at last weekend’s 59^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. She was able to continue her SK Racing Monte Carlo’s streak of full passes into the final qualifying session where she went on a wild ride in an effort to improve in qualifying position.

Cassie’s Randy-Anderson tuned car was one of the most consistent through qualifying, running 5.702, 5.691, and 5.695 in the first three sessions.

  

“We had a consistent car all weekend,” Cassie said. “We were the No. 4 qualifier until the last session when I had a bit of a wild ride. We weren’t able to get down the track during the fast conditions so we were bumped down to tenth place.”

The fourth session provided the best conditions of the weekend, tempting tuners to shoot for the top spot. In Simonton’s attempt, the SK Racing entry struggled to stick to the track, giving the former Junior Dragster driver a tough time behind the wheel.

“It all happened really quickly. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I felt the other side of the car come down and I knew I was on two wheels. Luckily I was able to get it under control quickly before it crossed the center line or hit the wall. I’m happy that everything came out okay so we could keep racing for the rest of the weekend,” Simonton said of her close call.

A starting position in the bottom of the tight field meant a first round match-up with national points frontrunner Tony Bartone.

“Qualifying tenth set us up against one of the toughest drivers in the class, Tony Bartone, first round. It was a close race – 5.64 to 5.67 – but we were on the wrong side of it. We can’t be too upset with it. At least we went out there and made a full pass; it didn’t shake or smoke the tires or do anything stupid. It was another one of those close races that we’ve had this season, and came up a little short,” recalled Cassie, a new Indianapolis-area resident.

The legendary U.S. Nationals was the first weekend for new team sponsor Schepel Buick-GMC, a leading General Motors dealership based in Merrillville, Indiana. Drag racing fans might recognize Schepel from their long-running support of Top Alcohol Dragster driver Dave Hirata.

Kon Rodz Racing is a NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car team owned by Canadian businessman Spiro Kontos. Minnesota native Cassie Simonton drives the 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, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac Tools, Artist ButchM, Flaming River Industries, Bell Racing, CRC Automotive Products, Top Alcohol News, Mid-Ontario Mack, Schepel Buick-GMC, 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).

Simonton Hoping to Follow Crew Chief Anderson with U.S. Nationals Victory

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing

CLERMONT, Ind. (August 27, 2013) – Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Cassie Simonton will end a two-month break in on-track action when she hops back in the Kon Rodz Racing entry at the 59^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, August 30-Sept. 2. Though Simonton and the Ontario, Canada-based team last competed at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk in early July, they have spent weeks preparing for the prestigious “Big Go”.

“A few of the crew members and I have been in Indy for a couple weeks, preparing parts for the weekend. We also installed several new carbon fiber pieces from Aerodine Composites Group. The boys have been back in Canada working on Spiro’s hot rods. I moved to Indy so I’ve been here working out with Cam (team clutch technician and NCAA All-American wrestler) getting myself ready for this race. I’ve been hitting the practice tree, making sure I’m ready after two months out of the car,” Cassie said of the team’s U.S. Nationals preparations.

The young team has experienced a few moments of success at Indy – a first round win over defending event champion Jay Payne in 2011 being the highlight. Cassie and the team hope this will be the year that they break through to the semifinals for the first time at this legendary event.

“We’ve always seemed to have a pretty good car here,” Simonton said.  “We struggled last year because we changed a few things after back-to-back finals. We’ve qualified well here, we’ve made it to the second round, but now we need to get past second round, where we’ve struggled all year.  We ran some of the big guys first round and beat them, but we want to keep going rounds on Monday as well.”

 

Numerous factors combine to make this race very special for Kon Rodz Racing.

“The Big Go is the biggest race of the year. There is a lot of history behind the event and it’s the one that everyone wants to win. All of the top cars from around the country show up, hoping to add the U.S. Nationals Wally to their trophy case. This would be a great race for us to get our first win. There have been a lot of drivers who earned their first win here,” Cassie said.

Among those drivers is Kon Rodz crew chief Randy Anderson, who won the 1992 U.S Nationals behind the wheel of father Brad’s Top Alcohol Funny Car. His achievement gives the team additional motivation to earn their first victory this weekend.

“That would be a surreal moment, to share that with Randy, to have the same experience he did to win his first national event. I know this is something he’s been pushing for real hard. He wants to win this race – he wants to win many races. We’re all working very hard and he wants it just as bad as the rest of us on the team,” Simonton noted.

Simonton and Kon Rodz Racing will be highlighting major team sponsors Bell Racing USA and Speedway, Ind.-based Aerodine Composites Group through the course of the weekend. Cassie will be wearing one of her new Bell helmets, painted by Off Axis Custom Paint. Indy is the debut race for the Kon Rodz TAFC’s new Aerodine carbon fiber pieces, including a computer box, fuel tank braces, and tin work.

Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying at the 59^th Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals begins on Friday with two sessions followed by single sessions on Saturday and Sunday. First round of eliminations is set for Sunday night. The balance of eliminations will continue on Monday, Labor Day.

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 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, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac Tools, Artist ButchM, Flaming River Industries, Bell Racing, CRC Automotive Products, Mid-Ontario Mack, Sparco USA, and Top Alcohol News.

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).

TAN Thirty Under 30 #1 - Cam Brady

Written by Nate Van Wagnen
Photos courtesy of David Smith, Steve Fuhrman, and Kon Rodz Racing


One of the original goals of TAN was to highlight anyone and everyone from the alcohol pits - drivers, crew chiefs, crew members, sponsors, etc. In a new series of articles, we'll feature some of the younger personalities that can be found in the alcohol pits. Thirty alcohol insiders under the age of 30. If you have a suggestion for a Thirty Under 30 feature, email us, post on our Facebook page, or tweet it to @TopAlcoholNews.

 

Age: 21

Hometown: Lowell, IN

Residence: Indianapolis

Occupation: College Student

Racing Job: Clutch Tech on the Cassie Simonton-driven Kon Rodz Racing TAFC

Personal race car: Ex-Brandon Booher Super Comp Dragster

Best ET/MPH: 8.2s at 165

Favorite Sports (outside of racing): Wrestling and football

First Race Car: 1983 Firebird

What’s on your iPod? All different types of music, but mostly punk rock and hip hop

What’s in your fridge/pantry? Cookies, junk food, Dunkin Donuts coffee, Gatorade, Monster, cereal

Favorite Pro drivers: Leah Pruett, Matt Hagan, Jeg Coughlin, and Michael Phillips

Where do you go to celebrate a win? Home to hang out with friends – nothing too crazy

Proudest Accomplishment? Becoming a NCAA D2 All-American wrestler this year

Goals: Winning the D2 wrestling national championship, winning Wallys with Kon Rodz

At just twenty one years old, Cam Brady has already put in multiple seasons doing the clutch on two of the strongest alcohol cars in the Midwest. The lifelong Indiana resident can currently be found in the Kon Rodz Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car pits, working with respected tuner and former driver Randy Anderson and driver Cassie Simonton.

Before going to work for the Spiro Kontos-owned Kon Rodz team at the beginning of the 2013 season, Cam serviced the clutch on Dave Hirata’s A/Fuel Dragster. He was just fourteen when he attended his first race with the Hirata family team. Brady would walk around the pits and watch the races while his dad, Pete, did the bottom end on what was at the time one of the most feared A/Fuel cars in the country. As he got older and gained more experience, Cam picked up more tasks in the pit.

“I remember the first time he asked me to slide the Pro Jack under the car – I thought that was a big deal. Things progressed from there. I started working on the bottom end with my dad and made it to the point where Dave was showing me the clutch. I want to thank Dave for what he did. He was the one who made me start living the dream. Spending time and learning from him is a big reason why I’m doing what I’m doing now.”

Cam also credits his early start as a critical part of his path towards working on top-notch race teams.

“Starting young and getting that hands-on experience was a big advantage,” Cam claimed. “Instead of coming in and having to learn that stuff in my twenties, I already know half of the deal. Like I said, I’m still young and I still have a lot to learn about the cars. There are other jobs on the car that I need to learn. I’ve been hands-on with the clutch and I’ve watched as the motor is serviced but there’s still so much there that I want to learn.”

Cam was given the opportunity to join Kon Rodz over the winter. Though hesitant about leaving his team of seven years, he jumped at the chance to work with a rising star driver and a veteran tuner. Learning from Anderson, the 1993 and 1994 Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion, has been one of Cam’s favorite parts of his new gig.

“It’s so cool. I knew who Randy Anderson was but I didn’t know much because he was racing before I was really into the sport. Starting to talk to him at the races and hearing about everything that he’s done…it’s amazing. He’s a role model to me. He shows me a lot and we get along well. We have our fun but when we’re serious, we’re serious. He’s a great guy.”

Working under storied personalities of the sport is nothing new to Brady. During his time at Hirata’s, he spent time with the patriarch of the Hirata racing family, Kenny, whose Bobby Vodnik-driven Top Eliminator entry beat Don Garlits in the 1963 U.S. Nationals finals.

“Working with Kenny Hirata was great as well. I learned a lot about from Kenny and Dave. It’s a privilege to work with such great people – people who have done great things in our sport.”

On top of the challenge of leaving the people he worked with for the first seven years of his racing career, Cam had to learn a completely different set-up. Hirata’s nitro-injected A/Fuel Dragster used a direct drive system while Simonton’s blown alcohol funny car uses a three-speed transmission, among other differences. It was a smooth transition, though.

“I knew and loved the dragsters after working with Hiratas for so long so I thought I would be lost. I thought it would be helpful in the future to understand both cars. Going from doing the clutch in Dave’s car to doing the clutch in the Kon Rodz alcohol funny car was a little different. I’ve gotten used to it after doing the same job every weekend,” said Brady, who took over the full clutch duties at just his second race with the Canadian team. His other duties include strapping Simonton in the car, starting the car, guiding it back from the burnout and into the pre-stage beams. 

After a long season of crewing on the Kon Rodz Racing TAFC and driving his own Super Comp dragster on off-weekends, Cam Brady will spend this winter wrestling for the University of Indianapolis. He’ll take his competitive drive from the drag strip to the wrestling mat for his final season in college wrestling. His last season resulted in a trip to the NCAA Division 2 finals where he captured All-American honors for the first time. His next goal – the national championship.

As Cam explains, his time wrestling has led to his positive demeanor in drag racing.

“Wrestling is a hard sport. People who aren’t into it don’t realize the time and effort that it takes. I think being in wrestling gives me my attitude towards racing. I have the sport of wrestling to thank for showing me that putting in hard work and time will pay off down the road. When I’m at the race track, I have that mindset.”

  

His goals carry over into drag racing. A dedicated fan of the sport since a young age, Brady wants to make a serious career out of his passion.

“I love the sport so much so I’m just trying to make a career out of it. Hopefully I can take the next step up to a Pro team in the next few years; more races, making it everyday life, and working at the shop every day. I still have a lot to learn, though. There’s so much more I want to do with Cassie and the Kon Rodz team. Obviously I want to make another step up in my driving career, too. It probably won’t be a Pro car but I want to get in an alcohol seat someday. Hopefully after a few years of working with a team I’ll be able to have a little fun in the driver’s seat on my own,” Cam said of his plans for the coming years.

When asked about his favorite personalities in the sport, Brady didn’t hesitate when he said, “I’m a big fan of the alcohol drivers after being around them for so many years and making friends in the pits. I’d rather sit down and talk to an alcohol driver than any other Pro guy. I like Marty Thacker, Dave Hirata and his team, Brandon Booher, and Cassie. Seeing her put in the hard work and the late nights drives me as a crew member. They’ve all done so much for me; taking the time to talk and teach me things. They’re all role models to me.”

Brady helped Thacker at the 2012 Columbus race, a Division 3 event that Hirata hasn’t attended for years. He’ll also help Booher’s team when Kon Rodz isn’t racing, joining Pete Brady, who has been doing the bottom end on Brandon’s torque converter-equipped dragster since the 2011 season.

As one could imagine, Cam was proud of his former team when Dave Hirata won his first race in thirteen years at the recent Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk.

“Congratulations to Dave and his team on their success last weekend. Working with them for seven years, I saw how hard they worked. Their drive to stick with it after struggling the past couple years is impressive. I want to congratulate them and thank Dave for everything he’s taught me over the past seven years,” Brady said.

He added, “I also want to thank the Kon Rodz team for giving me the opportunity to work with them this season. Collectively I want to thank the Hiratas, Kon Rodz, and my parents, Pete and Kim, for everything they’ve done for me, giving me the opportunity to do what I love.”