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).

Stalba Preparing for 2014 Season with Improved Performance, Additional Sponsors

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photos courtesy of David Smith

HAMMONTON, N.J. (February 12) – Top Alcohol Dragster driver Karen Stalba and her AA Auto Salvage team have been busy over the offseason, doing everything they can to bring home another regional championship. Karen has been securing new additional marketing partners, while her team has been working over every aspect of her nitro-burning A/Fuel Dragster. The New Jersey-based group hopes their efforts will bring the car back to its race-winning ways of 2011.

Stalba, who won the 2011 Division 1 TAD championship, struggled to perform over the last two years, winning once last year. Karen believes her team's work over the winter, as well as the introduction of new A/Fuel rules, will help bring a higher level of performance to the program.

“We found a lot of problems and inaccuracies over the winter. We had a few 'aha moments'. The team has looked over everything, making sure we have a good tune-up and the right components to start with this season. As far as the new rules, I think the added percentage of nitro will help, especially in the hot weather. Before we start playing with the new rules, we need to get our tune-up from last year sorted out,” said the mother of two.

The new rules, introduced to the TAD class in December 2013, are meant to benefit the nitro-injected A/Fuel dragsters. A/Fuel teams are allowed to use 95% nitromethane fuel, up one percent, chilled ten degrees cooler than last year's minimum temperature, running through an insulated main fuel line.

Karen Stalba will hit the track this April with new sponsors and continued support from several team sponsors.

“I'm happy to welcome NGK Spark Plugs and MAHLE to the team, who will be providing us with associate sponsorship. I'd like to thank Kris Zdral at NGK and Bill McKnight at MAHLE for choosing to support our team this year. This will also be our fifth season with Lucas Oil. We'll continue to have AA Auto Salvage, MX Industrial, and Sheetz Electric on-board with us again,” Stalba said gratefully. Karen also extends thanks to Boninfante Friction and Goodyear for the support they have provided.

Karen's family-based team will also be back for another season of NHRA Lucas Oil drag racing.

“We'll have the same crew back again this season,” Karen said. “My dad, Tom Benkovich, and Erick Cindrich, are the co-crew chiefs. They tune the car and maintain it. Larry Bucher will also be back with us. My mom, Margaret, and Erick's wife Donna also come out and help us. It's a great family operation.”

Husband Tom Stalba also helps when he can, but he will be doing double duty this year, racing in many events and several classes, including Comp Eliminator, Super Comp, and Super Gas.

Stalba and the AA Auto Salvage A/Fuel Dragster team plan on attending at least seven regional events and six NHRA Mello Yello series national events, chasing the elusive first national event win. They will start their season at the first East Region event of the year at Virginia Motorsports Park, April 4-5.

Karen Stalba is the 2011 NHRA Division 1 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion. She drives the AA Auto Salvage/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The team's co-crew chiefs are Tom Benkovich and Erick Cindrich. For more information on Karen Stalba and the AA Auto Salvage Racing team, please visit www.karenstalba.com. Fans can follow Karen Stalba on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stalbamotorsports) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/karenstalba).

Stalba Racing receives support from Lucas Oil Products, NGK Spark Plugs, MAHLE, Boninfante Friction, MX Industrial, Sheetz Electric, Goodyear Tires, and Associated Auto Parts of New Jersey.

Kon Rodz Racing Signs Sparco, Sadi for 2013 Season

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
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 44^th 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).

TAN

Kon Rodz Racing Ready for 2012 Season

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

Maple, On -- After what seems to feel like a long winter away from racing, the Alcohol Funny Car team of Spiro Kontos is ready to go racing. It's going to be an exciting year for Kon Rodz Racing.

"We are pleased to announce that Randy Anderson will be back with our team for his second year as our car tuner and mentor. The team has spent countless hours in the race shop doing lots of R&D. We're looking forward to bring it to the track," said team owner Spiro Kontos.

The team will be heading off for pre-season testing at the Eastern Spring Test Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Georgia. Following testing, the team will head over to Gainesville, Florida to compete at their first national event of the season, the Gatornationals, March 8-11.

"The team has all of the right parts and equipment for us to run as a championship contender. Since Randy knows this car's performance inside and out after working with it all of last year, we feel that we have what it takes to give our competitors a run for their money," Kontos said.

"Sassy" Cassie Simonton will be competing in her third season as a driver for the Kon Rodz Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car. She has proven that she can race with the best of them. "Sassy" is truly someone who wants to bring home Spiro's first Wally.

Kon Rodz Racing would also like to welcome their newest associate sponsor, ithreesixty Music Infused Apparel. ithreesixty produces a line of headwear for the active lifestyle, including hats and sports bands that feature Bluetooth and iPod compatibility. For more information on these great products, please visit their website, http://www.ithreesixty.com/.

Spiro, Cassie, and the whole Kon Rodz Racing team would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support: Lucas Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Goodson, BAE, Goodyear Tire, Clevite, Mac Tools, Dino's Pizza and Pasta, Artist ButchM, and their newest sponsor, ithreesixty.

For further information on the team, visit their newly designed website at http://www.konrodzracing.com/

TAN Driver Blog-Marie Ferriolo-TAFC

Happy new year!! I hope everyone is enjoying their 2012 and sticking to their resolutions. I successfully gave up caffeinated coffee and I am flossing my teeth regularly. I'm also going to give P90 a try...some extra arm muscles wouldn't with my ability to steer the car. This is also the time of year I start watching football -- playoffs are more exciting for me than regular season games. Do I root for a team? Nope...I just root for  competitive games, not those high-scoring-one-team-gets-stomped-on-46 to 3 games.

We're getting everything ready for Gainesville. My Dad has been busy fabricating new front engine mounts and putting the motor back together. My Mom and I have our travel plans booked...I can't miss too much work so I'll have to fly down. Not going to lie, I'd probably enjoy the trip with my Dad -- he's the perfect long-distance travel partner because he doesn't talk too much, he doesnt smell and he always picks up the fuel tab :-) But my Mom is fun to fly with -- she's always got that one thing you never thought to put in your carry-on and I'll never have to worry about getting to my gate too late.

We fired up the car on Sunday for the first time. I had all of my gear on from head to toe and let me tell you, I didn't mind!! It was barely 30 degrees outside. Bottom line: the car started. (It's all about appreciating the little things these days). Just a few more weeks of work to fly through and then I'll be back on the track.

Enough sitting at my computer...I need to get myself onto the treadmill and burn off some of the peanut M&M's I ate at work today. I seriously need some good running/staging-lane music...Any recommendations are appreciated!! You can let me know on Twitter @MarieFerriolo.

Enjoy the rest of the week!


Marie Ferriolo is the driver of the Ferriolo Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car. Follow her on Twitter at @MarieFerriolo.