Pete Maduri Jr wins an unprecedented fourth time in 2010 TNT Super Series

Twenty-four Hot Rod cars descend on Dunn Tire Raceway Park's 1/8th mile

LANCASTER, NEW YORK (August 22, 2010)   "Unbelievable!"  That's what Tonawanda, New York's Pete Maduri Jr was saying on Friday night after he won his fourth Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series event in 2010.

Four wins by a single driver in this series during one season has never been done - but what's even more incredible is that Pete did it driving a borrowed racecar.

Pete's Monza had engine troubles at last week's TNT event so good friend Rich Halleen let him drive his 1975 Ford Maverick.  Their plan was to get attendance points and maybe even some qualifying points.

Turned out Pete earned the most points available at a TNT event by qualifying #1 with a perfect 7.0000 (yes, that's four zero's) and winning the race.  "Rich and his father, Ron, had recently made some adjustments to the carb and throttle stop so we thought it would be a challenge to find the correct settings in just two qualifying sessions," said Pete.  "I went a 6.87 in the first qualifier and then popped of a 7.0000 in the second session!"

Presented by 24 Hour Tire Service, the event ran late at Dunn Tire Raceway Park (DTRP).  "Hats off to the track staff for getting the event in," Pete added.

In eliminations, Pete defeated Scott Jahren (Tonawanda, NY) - both drivers running identical 6.979 ET's - but Pete's .008 second starting line advantage earned him the first round win.

Then he took out last week's winner, Roy Lister (Welland, ON), in round two by beating him on both ends of the track.  Tom Coonly (West Seneca, NY) then handed Pete the quarter final round by going red on the tree.

A bye run in the semi's set him up to face 2008 series champ Ted Barnes (Canfield, ON).  To get there, Ted had to get past Steve McCarrick (Phelps, NY), Jeff Sobczynski (Depew, NY), Larry Pulver (Palmyra, NY) and Ken Jozwiak (Alden, NY) on his way to the final round.

When the tree came down for the final, Pete left first and ran a near perfect 7.001, taking the round and the event win over Ted's too fast 6.975 effort.

"This is incredible," said Pete.  "The Maverick was flawless all night, launching straight as an arrow and running deadly consistent.  I can't thank Rich Halleen, his father Ron, and his wife Vanessa for literally being the most generous people I have ever met.  It's one thing to help out a friend, but it is a completely different story to allow them to hop into your $30,000 plus race car.  They run a very classy operation and it was an honor to be a part of it."

"I also would like to thank my mom, dad, and sister for their support.  A special thanks to everyone involved in the TNT Series - Ted and his father Bill, Russ and Arlene Parker - for doing such a great job running this series, and squeezing the race in Friday with the oil downs and delays.  I would also like to thank Joe Boniferro for all of his hard work and sponsoring this awesome series."

Sponsors for the Maduri family race team include Tonawanda Bowling Center, Rapids Bowling Center, Ansell Buffington & Co. and Dynabrade.

Halleen's 1975 Ford Maverick is powered by a 514 cu. big block Ford and runs on pump gas.  It has a Powerglide transmission and Hoosier slicks.  The car is capable of 1/8th mile runs in the low 5.90s at over 113 mph off the throttle stop.

Specialty Awards

• Hoosier Tire Canada $50 certificate - Number One Qualifier

  • Pete Maduri Jr (Tonawanda, NY) with a perfect 7.0000

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

  • Chris VanBaalen (Wellandport, ON) with a 7.003

• DTRP FREE PASS - Best Reaction Time (1st Round Loser)

  • Jim Manz with a .517

The Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series returns to Canada for a double-header on Labour Day weekend September 4-5.  With only four races left, you won't want to miss any of it!  Visit www.torontomotorsportspark.com for full details.

Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series Points (Top 10 of 43) After 9 of 13 Events