Hunter Debuting New Look at Vegas Regional

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

LAS VEGAS (March 20) – Greg Hunter will have a new look when his Geoff Goodwin-owned Synoil Racing/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car hits The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. The Canadian entry will sport a new black and green design at the Las Vegas regional race, March 21-23.

“The Synoil guys were looking to change up the look of the car since the existing design had been on the car for a few years now. I love doing stuff like that so I volunteered to help get it going. We started working with Greg Ozubko and he put together a couple renderings for us. Everyone on the team had input. We're really happy with the new look and can't wait to get it on the track at Vegas,” Greg said of the new vinyl, meticulously applied by Synoil Racing sponsor Landale Signs.

Hunter and Goodwin enjoyed a promising start to their season at the Winternationals in Pomona last month, but they're still looking for more from the Synoil Energy Services Monte Carlo.

“The car went back to Edmonton after Pomona. Walley and Ryan Protz were with the car every night. Ryan has been pouring over the data, trying to find little areas where we can pick up on performance. We're trying to improve little by little rather than rotating the earth,” Hunter commented.

The always-optimistic Wyoming driver expressed his goals for the team's two-race Vegas stretch.

“Everybody is super-positive and confident. We want to go out and win both races. I know the field is tight be we're up to the challenge. We were watching the race last weekend and noticed that just about anyone can win, and we feel we have a chance, too.”

Greg and the Synoil Racing TAFC team will race at the Lucas Oil Series regional event this weekend, then return for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals the following weekend, March 28-30.

Greg Hunter and Geoff Goodwin's Synoil Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team have joined forces for the 2014 season. With primary support from Synoil Enery Services and ExactAir Compliance Systems, Hunter will run a full schedule of NHRA Mello Yello Series national events and LODRS regional events. Synoil Racing receives additional support from Northgate Industries Ltg., Ron Hodgson Chevrolet-GMC-Buick, Southgate Buick, Twister Piling Inc., Proform Concrete Services Inc., Prowling Contracting, Pumps & Pressure Inc., Waylon's Transport, Hampton's Oilfield Services, Landale Signs, MD Truck Repair, and Castrol.

Like Synoil Racing on Facebook – www.facebook.com/synoilracing.

Gutierrez Bros. Racing TAD Team Partners with MGM Grand Detroit

Courtesy of MGM Grand Detroit
Photo courtesy of Lauren Khadra

DETROIT– March 6, 2014 – MGM Grand Detroit has entered into a partnership agreement with Berkley, Michigan-based National Hot Rod Association Top Alcohol drag racing team, Gutierrez Brothers Racing. The arrangement includes financial and marketing support for the team at regional NHRA competitions, as well as other auto and racing related events.

“This is a great way to increase the visibility of our award-winning property on a grassroots level in a number of key markets throughout the Midwest”, said Matt Buckley, Vice President of Marketing at MGM Grand Detroit. “We are able to work with a local Michigan team in a mutually beneficial partnership. We are excited about this great opportunity.”

In 2013, after 15 years of racing in various lower divisions, chief mechanic Phillip (Phil) and driver John Paul (JP) Gutierrez made the move up to Top Alcohol Dragster Division in NHRA competition. The team spent nearly two-years constructing the 2800 hp dragster, capable of hitting 270 mph, out of their family-owned Berkley shop. Last year the dragster raced for the first time at events in Norwalk and Columbus, Ohio, gaining valuable experience that has led them to the point they are at now.

“It has been our dream ever since we were young to race at the top level of competition,” said 30 year-old Phil. “With the support of MGM Grand Detroit, my brother and I move one step closer to achieving our goals.”

“I started racing when I was 8 years old and this is the most excitement I have felt at the start of a season,” said 23 year-old JP. “To feel the support from the community and business community has inspired Phil and I to look beyond 2014.”

The Gutierrez Brothers Racing team is planning to compete in the following four regional events in 2014:

April 25-27 NHRA Lucas Oil Regional #1, Clermont, IN
May 16-18 NHRA Lucas Oil Regional #2, Norwalk, OH
June 6-8 NHRA Lucas Oil Regional #3, Joliet, IL
July 18-20 NHRA Lucas Oil Regional #4, Columbus, OH

In addition, the team and the MGM Grand Detroit sponsored dragster can be seen at the following events in Metro Detroit.

March 7-9 Autorama Custom Car Show, Cobo Hall Detroit, MI
August 16 Woodward Dream Cruise, Royal Oak, MI

Adds Buckley, “The entire MGM Grand Detroit team looks forward to cheering on JP, Phil and all of Gutierrez Brothers Racing as they rocket down the drag strip in chase of their goals to contend in the NHRA.”

About MGM Grand Detroit
The only Forbes Four-Star hotel in the City of Detroit, the only Forbes Four-Star spa in Michigan, and AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel, MGM Grand Detroit is the city's first and only downtown hotel, gaming and entertainment destination built from the ground up. The hotel features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites. Guests enjoy signature restaurants; two by world-renowned Chef Wolfgang Puck and the property’s own sports pub, TAP at MGM Grand Detroit; casual dining options; lounges such as a relaxed piano-style bar; high-energy nightlife; and the only resort-style spa in Southeast Michigan. More than 30,000 square feet of meeting space hosts everything from large corporate events to intimate black-tie affairs. MGM Grand Detroit is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM).**For more information, visit www.mgmgranddetroit.com or call toll free at (888) 646-3387.

Kon Rodz, Simonton Unveiling New Look at Chicago

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing

JOLIET, Ill. (June 27, 2013) – Canadian Top Alcohol Funny Car team Kon Rodz Racing announced today that new sponsors Bell Racing USA and Aerodine Composites Group would increase their involvement in the team, which includes driver Cassie Simonton and veteran tuner Randy Anderson. Kon Rodz will debut a brand new look highlighting the colors and logos of Bell and Aerodine at this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals just outside of Chicago.

Aerodine Composites Group joined on as an associate sponsor at the beginning of the 2013 season. In addition to the Kon Rodz Racing Monte Carlo TAFC, Aerodine’s products can be found on some of the top tier IndyCar, NASCAR, and NHRA fuel entries. They specialize in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of carbon fiber and other composites used in the automotive and aviation industries. Aerodine is well-known within the drag racing circles for their development of the Top Fuel canopy in cooperation with Don Schumacher Racing. Other drag racing applications include injectors and wings. The company chose to work with Kon Rodz Racing to help market their products to the Pro Sportsman and Sportsman competitors.

“Aerodine Composites was looking to expand our presence in the NHRA Top Alcohol ranks. We wanted to go with one of the top teams out there. The Kontos family was the type of team we were looking for. They have a very professional, hands-on driver in Cassie Simonton and one of the top crew chiefs in the business in Randy Anderson. We are learning what they need and how we can help them achieve their goals of winning races and championships,” said Steve Schiewer, general manager at Aerodine.

Like Aerodine, Bell Racing USA began their partnership with Kon Rodz Racing at the start of the season. The Champaign, Illinois-based safety company provided Simonton with a set of top of the line helmets, which later received a fresh coat of outstanding paint at Off Axis Custom Paint. The Chicago national event, the site of the team’s first final round last year, is also the home race for Bell Racing.

“Certainly any time we get a major racing event in Illinois we like to think of it as an opportunity to showcase our products on our home turf. The ability to have Bell employees from the main office come out to the track and get a taste of the support we provide to the drivers is an added bonus as well,” said Toby Hallett of Bell Racing USA. He added, “Our partnership with the Kon Rodz team and driver Cassie Simonton only strengthens our commitment to the NHRA Drag Racing community from the Professional ranks down through the Sportsman teams. The entire Kon Rodz organization is top notch and we couldn’t be more excited to have them represent Bell Racing USA and show off the new Bell logo to all the fans and teams starting right here in Illinois,”

Kon Rodz Racing chose the Route 66 Nationals to debut their new look due in part to the race’s proximity to the Bell Racing (Champaign, Ill.) and Aerodine (Indianapolis) company headquarters.

 The team’s success at the Windy City race track was another deciding factor. Simonton earned the team’s first #1 qualifier award at the 2012 Chicago regional before reaching her first final round at the national event, beating class veterans Steve Gasparrelli, John Lombardo Jr., and Mickey Ferro before falling to Frank Manzo. Cassie and the team raced to the finals at this year’s regional event, held just weeks ago.

“We love racing at Route 66 Raceway. We’ve been to the finals at our last two appearances at the track so we have plenty of data built up. Our goal this weekend is just like any other event – win the race. We couldn’t think of a better time to earn our first Wally, with our new look and our friends at Aerodine and Bell joining us,” claimed Simonton, the Minnesota driver now in her fourth season as the driver of the Kon Rodz Racing entry.

“The team has been working around the clock this week to get the new body ready for this race. We’re very excited to show the fans our new red, white, and black look with support from Aerodine Composites and Bell Racing USA, among others. The team has enjoyed success at this track in the past, but we’re looking to go one round further this time. Everyone on the team is hungry for our first win,” said Stefan Kontos, Kon Rodz team president.

Cassie Simonton and the Kon Rodz Racing TAFC team will take to the track for Friday qualifying at 11:30 AM and 3 PM CST. Another qualifying session is scheduled for 3 PM Saturday. Top Alcohol eliminations begin at 9 AM Sunday morning.

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; Aerodine Composites Group, Bell Racing USA, Sadi, Lucas Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Goodson, BAE, Goodyear, Clevite, Mac Tools, Artist ButchM, ithreesixty Music Infused Apparel, Flaming River Industries, CRC Automotive Products, Mid Ontario Truck Centre, Off Axis Custom Paint, 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).