2009 TNT Hot Rod Super Series kicks off this Friday at Dunn Tire Raceway Park!

May 8 season opener - PREVIEW

LANCASTER, NEW YORK (May 4, 2009)  The season opener for the 2009 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series is all set for Friday May 8 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park (DTRP) in Lancaster, New York.  NOCO Energy is presenting the first of twelve events in the popular sportsman drag racing series which runs at local tracks in the western New York and southern Ontario areas.

"We're very excited to have the TNT competitors back for a third full season," said Sharon Hughes, Drag Coordinator at DTRP. "The competition in this class is second to none.  It's not uncommon to see 2 or 3 dead-on runs in qualifying and then to see margins of a few thousandths of a second in eliminations."  Sharon also mentioned that May 8 is DTRP's first VIP night of the season, where DTRP points members get free passes for friends and family to watch the races.

Entering its third full year, the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series has become an established and respected sportsman drag racing series.  Based on NHRA Super Street and IHRA Hot Rod classes, the series runs on a 10.90 index (7.00 1/8 mile) with a heads-up, pro tree start.  Standard for each event this year is the guaranteed MINIMUM $500 to win and $200 to runner-up.  "Last year, we started offering a guarantee for the winner," said Ted Barnes, TNT Series Director.  "In 2009, we're expanding that to include the runner-up as well."  These are minimums.  Most events pay more due to significant car counts.  "It's not uncommon for us to have over 25 cars at a single event," added Ted.

The series will once again pay round money starting with first round win, offer contingency postings and award the ever popular Hoosier Tire Canada number one qualifier certificate.  New for 2009 are specialty awards for things like closest to the index and best reaction time for first round losers.

Of course, the points system hasn't changed.  Points are still earned similar to the IHRA Pro Am matrix with the addition of qualifying points for the top 16 qualifiers.  And the yearend standings are based on the best 5 of 6 US events PLUS the best 5 of 6 CANADIAN events.  "This way, everybody gets one mulligan on each side of the border while they chase the heap of prizes for the yearend points champion," added Ted.

The Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series will run a total of six events at DTRP in 2009 including a double header weekend on July 3-4.  And with another six events at Cayuga Dragway at Toronto Motorsports Park, it's more convenient and cost-effective then ever to run a car in this local sportsman series.

Gates will open at 3:00pm on Friday with the first of two qualifying sessions at 5:00pm.  Visit www.dunntireracewaypark.com for more information.  

2009 Joe's Transmission TNT Hot Rod Super Series schedule:

• Friday May 8 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park's VIP Night

• Saturday-Sunday May 16-17 at Cayuga Dragway's Victoria Day Weekend Challenge -DOUBLE HEADER

• Friday June 5 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park

• Saturday-Sunday June 13-14 at Cayuga Dragway with the PMRA -DOUBLE HEADER

• Friday-Saturday July 3-4 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park -DOUBLE HEADER

• Friday August 21 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park

• Saturday-Sunday September 5-6 at Cayuga Dragway's Labour Day Weekend Blast -DOUBLE HEADER

• Saturday October 3 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park