Ken Jozwiak wins for second time in 2009 TNT Super Series

Two consecutive TNT wins moves him into top ten

LANCASTER, NEW YORK (August 26, 2009)  The Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series returned to action with all cylinders firing last Friday August 21st at Dunn Tire Raceway Park (DTRP) in Lancaster, NY.  The event presented by 24 Hour Tire Service was the ninth of twelve this year.  21 cars competed and Ken Jozwiak found himself once again in the DTRP winner's circle.

Qualifying in the 7th position with a 7.012, Ken had his 1969 Nova set on kill.  And it needed to be because the field was extremely tough this night with the top ten qualifiers all better than 7.018 on the 7.00 index.

Ken took the starting line advantage all night long, bettering his opponent each time.  In round one, he defeated Steve McCarrick (Phelps, NY) with a .522 reaction tie to Steve's .543 and a 7.011 ET to 6.970.  Second round, Ken had Ted Barnes (Canfield, ON) who was uncharacteristically late on the tree with a .567.  Pair that up with Ken's .527 and it was all over for the 2008 TNT Series Champion even though he ran closer to the index with a 7.025 to a 7.044.

In the quarter-final round, Ken faced recent IHRA Sportsman Nationals winner Tom Coonly (Blasdell, NY).  Almost dead even off the tree (.531 to .533), both drivers ran it out the back door and Ken came out on top of a double-breakout, running 6.995 to Tom's 6.962.

Up next was Pete Maduri Jr in the semi-final round.  Pete is no stranger to the DTRP winner's circle.  But this night, Ken would come out on top, when Pete gave him the round win by going red on the tree by .001 seconds.  Good thing for Ken since he missed the tree cutting a .549 light.

In the final round, Ken had Bill Elekes (West Seneca, NY).  The advantage off the line went to Ken with a .524 to a .562.  Ken once again carried it through to the stripe running a 7.039 at 107 mph for the win to Bill's 6.992 at 113 mph.

This win moves Ken into the top ten in the TNT points chase.  "That's pretty impressive when you consider Ken has missed three of the Canadian races earlier this year," said Ted Barnes, TNT Series Director.

Ken was quick to thank his wife Stacey, his daughters, Morgan and Sarah, and his mom and dad.  "We couldn't do this without the support from Jan-Cen Racing Engines and Scott Jahren Paint.  And of course, Joe Boniferro at Joe's Transmission and Mike Kalin at 24 Hour Tire," said Ken.  "This was a tough win, as always in this series.  Great racers and some exceptional numbers.  I had a little luck just when I needed it in the semi's with Maduri going red."

Ken also mentioned this is a special win for him and his family.  "This is the first win that my mom has ever seen in my 15 years of racing and my 9 month old daughter, Sarah as well.  And it was cool that alot of my friends stayed for the final round.  There were almost more kids than adults in the winner's circle!"

Jamie Stoneman still has the overall points lead with Paul Young in second.  Bill Elekes moves up to third place and Ted Barnes back one to fourth.  Tom Coonly rounds out the top five.

Specialty Awards

• Hoosier Tire Canada $50 certificate - Number One Qualifier

  • Ted Barnes (Canfield, ON) with a 7.002

• J&S Collision $50 - Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)

  • Fred Gross (Brampton, ON) with a 7.003

• Dunn Tire Raceway Park FREE PASS - Best Reaction Time (1st Round Loser)

  • Mark Herbold (Elma, NY) with a .522

Next stop for the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series is a double-header on Sept 5-6 at Cayuga Dragway at Toronto Motorsports Park.  Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for more details.

Current Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series Points Standings (Top 10)