Paul Young takes TNT Super Series championship while Sam Lovetro Jr wins final race!

[Ted Barnes]

Year-end gremlins tormented championship contenders


"Unbelievable!" said Paul Young after winning the 2009 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series championship. "The car was incredible all year and to win by just five points is awesome!"

The Alden, NY racer was crowned on Saturday during the final TNT Super Series event at Dunn Tire Raceway Park (DTRP) in Lancaster, NY - presented by Scott Jahren Paint. And it was Sam Lovetro Jr from Webster, NY taking the event win over Jeff Sobczynski of Depew, NY in a double break-out final round.

The weather was iffy at best, yet 17 of the best sportsman drag racers in the area came out to tackle the 1/8th mile at DTRP in what turned out to be an action-packed day. After qualifying fourth at 7.007, Sam paired up with Paul Young in round one. A red-light start for Paul ended his day and opened the door for Jamie Stoneman from Cheektowaga, NY to take the points lead away from him.

Jamie made it through round one, bringing him to within five points of Paul. And with 10 points for every round, only one more win light and the championship was his. Second round match-up had Jamie against Sam. But Jamie had an engine failure in round one and could not make the call - taking any hope for the championship away.

Round three saw Gary Kerl of Williamsville, NY - another top five contender - line up to face Sam. Gary was sitting third in the points and after qualifying number one with a 7.003, he had a shot at second place in the points. But it was not to be as Gary had a carburetor fire as he staged his Camaro, handing the round win to Sam.

The semi's gave Sam the natural bye run on the ladder and set him up to run Jeff Sobczynski in the final. A .025 advantage off the line by Sam turned into victory with a 6.998 to Jeff's 6.969 effort. This is Sam's second event win in 2009 in the local sportsman series. "Thanks to everyone involved in this TNT series - Joe's Transmission, Scott Jahren Paint, the Parkers and the Barnes family," commented Sam in the DTRP winner's circle.

Sam's good friend Art Jones was also running the car in Top ET this day. "It's the second time Artie has run the car in Top ET," added Sam. "Both of us going rounds made for a terrific night!"

With Paul Young as 2009 champion at 735 points, Jamie Stoneman gets second scoring 730 points. "The qualifying points really enhanced the points chase," said Jamie. "A good qualifying run can be the difference at year end." Gary Kerl finished in third place with 686 points.

Rounding out the top five are Bill Elekes of West Seneca, NY with 670 points and Tom Coonly from Blasdell, NY with 661 points. Each of the top five drivers will receive Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series jackets and cash at the yearend awards night.

Specialty Awards
•Hoosier Tire Canada $50 certificate - Number One Qualifier
◦Gary Kerl (Williamsville, NY) with a 7.003

•J&S Collision $50 - Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)
◦Kirk Parry (North Tonawanda, NY) with a 7.031

•Dunn Tire Raceway Park FREE PASS - Best Reaction Time (1st Round Loser)
◦Mark Herbold (Elma, NY) with a .515

Next up for the 2009 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series is the year-end awards night - details to be announced shortly. Visit http://www.tntsuperseries.com for more information.



Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series Points Standings - Final (Top 10 of 47)
Total Pts CAD Races US Races
1 Paul Young Alden NY 735 5 6
2 Jamie Stoneman Cheektowaga NY 730 6 6
3 Gary Kerl Williamsville NY 686 6 6
4 Bill Elekes West Seneca NY 670 6 6
5 Tom Coonly Blasdell NY 661 6 6
6 Ted Barnes Canfield ON 624 6 6
7 Ken Jozwiak Alden NY 612 3 6
8 Dave Surmatchewski Oakland ON 561 3 5
9 Fred Gross Brampton ON 560 6 5
10 J.J. Jablonski West Seneca NY 525 4 5