FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jamie Tupper wins TNT Super Series at Grand Bend's IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals

Local bracket racer wins Top Dragster in the main event as well!

GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (July 25, 2012)  Twenty-nine of the best sportsman racers in the northeast assembled on Friday at the Grand Bend Motorplex for a unique Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series event.

This is the second time that the 10.90 sportsman drag racing series has held an event as part of the IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals weekend.  Presented by Rosehill Auction House, the TNTSS event drew competitors from across Ontario and the north-eastern United States.

When the dust settled, it was Jamie Tupper from Tillsonburg, Ontario taking the victory and earning a spot in the Performance Improvements Race of Champions.

In round one on Friday night, Jamie defeated Paul "Racer" Brown who missed the tree and lost in a double breakout 10.901 to a 10.876.  Then George Mayer went red by .003 sending Jamie into round three where he faced Larry Pulver.  With only .004 separating them off the line, Jamie ran closer to the index at 10.929 to Larry's 11.015.

In the semi's, Jamie lined up against last year's event winner Rob Holden.  Rob had a significant advantage off the line .010 to .047 however Jamie drove around him at the stripe running dead on 10.907 to Rob's 10.957.

On the other side of the ladder, Sam LoVetro Jr was marching his way through the field defeating Rudy Matthews, Chris VanBaalen and Ted Barnes.

When the two met in the final round, Sam had the advantage on the tree with a .022 to a .068 reaction.  But Jamie ran on the good side of the index, taking the win with a 10.935 to Sam's too fast 10.878.

"I want to thank my wife, Sheila for supporting me in my racing whether she can come with me or not," said Jamie in the Grand Bend winner's circle.  "Also Laura Shepherd for being a great pit crew on the weekend and Tom Coonly for helping me set the car up to run Hot Rod."

Jamie was quick to thank series sponsor Joe Boniferro of Joe's Transmission along with Mo and Joe Passero of Rosehill Auction House for presenting the race.

"We got lucky in the last round. The dew came in and the track went away," Jamie added.

He then went on to win an Ironman in the Top Dragster class as well.  Jamie is no stranger to the winner's circle with some of his biggest successes coming as multiple victories in the northern Ontario Show Me The Money tour.

Jamie's car is a 2000 Corvette with a 565 Chevrolet for power.  "This was my first time racing this car in Hot Rod so it was exciting to get the win.  Thanks to Kerry Kershaw and all of my friends for their support and advice," he added.  Jamie owns and operates J&S Collision and is a long-time supporter of the TNT Super Series.  J&S Collision has sponsored the closest to the index specialty award for years.

With seven races complete on the 2012 schedule, Chris VanBaalen now sits in the championship points lead with a 17 point margin ahead of second place Jon Jablonski.

The next stop on the 2012 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series schedule is St Thomas Raceway Park in Sparta, Ontario on Saturday and Sunday August 4-5.  Kevin Orr Mechanical is presenting a double race weekend including a special RACER BARBEQUE hosted by Laurie Orr on Saturday night.  Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for full details.

Specialty Awards

• Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate - Number One Qualifier
• Tom Coonly (Blasdell, NY) with a 10.901
• J&S Collision $50 - Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)
• Jacob Elrod (Harrod, OH) with a 10.910

• Grand Bend Motorplex FREE PASS - Best Reaction Time (1st Round Loser)
• Bill Elekes (West Seneca, NY) with a .021

2012 Joe's Transmission TNTSS Points Standings - After 7 of 13

About the Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series (TNTSS):

Since it began in 2006, the TNT Super Series has grown into one of the strongest, most competitive sportsman drag racing series in North America and has catapulted many competitors to success on the national and divisional stages.

The TNTSS is a self-governing organization with input from its teams.  Based on NHRA’s Super Street & IHRA’s Hot Rod classes, competitors run on a 10.90 index in the 1/4 mile (7.00 in the 1/8 mile) and race for a guaranteed purse that pays back more than 100% of the racer's entry fees.  The yearend points fund pays the top five finishers and the Series Champion receives a prize package worth over $3500.00.

The TNTSS is committed to providing the highest level of competition backed by solid media support to showcase its participants across North America.  Events are contested at various drag racing facilities in southern Ontario and western New York and put on a spectacular show for the drag racing fan.

About Joe's Transmission

Joe Boniferro has owned and operated Joe's Transmission Service in Niagara Falls, Ontario since 1984.  From the original single bay location, the business has progressed to a six bay, five employee automotive complex on Arthur Street.  The two storey building houses Joe's Transmission (Commercial, Fleet and Performance Divisions) and Al's Radiator Service.  They sell and install aftermarket high performance parts and accessories.  As a Firestone Dealer they sell and install drag racing tires.  Their specialty is building and repairing high performance transmissions.  Contact Joe and his team at (905) 374-6116 or visit them online at www.joestransmission.com .

Photo credit: Bryan Epps

For more information please contact:

Lewis Robinson

TNTSS - Media Relations

lewis@tntsuperseries.com

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