Top five TNT Hot Rod Super Series teams to be rewarded at Yearend Awards Dinner!

[Ted Barnes]

Bonus prize table for all TNT racers in attendance!


CANFIELD, ONTARIO (November 12, 2008) The Joe’s Transmission TNT Hot Rod Super Series yearend awards night is quickly approaching and many of the 45 teams who participated in 2008 are expected to attend. Mick & Angelo’s in Niagara Falls will host the 2nd annual season closing event on Saturday November 22nd.

“This series is definitely one of the toughest I’ve seen in a long time - I would put any one of the TNT racers up against any World Champ,” said Joe Boniferro, owner of series title sponsor Joe’s Transmission Service. “With most of the rounds being won & lost by thousandths of a second, I think I’ll stick to racing in Pro Modified! To win a TNT race is an achievement and to place in the top five at yearend is simply an outstanding accomplishment!”

The top five teams to be honoured that night include 2008 Series Champion, Ted Barnes of Canfield ON with his 1972 Datsun 510. Ted also happens to be the TNT Series Director. “It feels strange winning the championship given I also run the series,” said Ted. “Sitting 4th in the points after qualifying at the last race, an outcome like this just didn’t seem possible.”

2008 Series Runner-Up is Paul Young of Alden NY in his 1966 Fairlane and David Surmatchewski of Oakland ON took third place with his 1983 Cutlass. Fourth place sees Gary Stowell of Macedon NY and his 1977 Vega and Jon Jablonski in the 1991 GMC Jimmy finished in fifth place.

This year, the prize table looks to be better than ever. “The prize table is open to all the TNT racers who are present that night,” said Bill Barnes, Series Coordinator. “We randomly draw names and each racer gets to go up and take a prize.” Here’s what they’re giving away so far… (2) portable DVD players, (10) cases Pennzoil synthetic oil, powerglide freshen-up certificate, varsol parts wash bin, creeper, $100 Hoosier tire certificate, 13x19 photo certificate, Drag Racing News subscription, TMP racer entry for long weekend in 2009, trailer sway control kit…with much more yet to come!!!

This marks the end of only the second full season for the TNT Series. “The success of the series didn’t happen in isolation. There is continuous support from a host of partners,” added Ted. “We had a record number of race teams participate in 2008 and on behalf of all 45 teams, I want to thank each partner for their support this year.” Joe’s Transmission – the series title sponsor – is key to the existence and growth of the TNT Super Series. Event sponsors include Steve’s Electric, KC Auto Parts, Performance Unlimited, The Balancing Act, Bieda’s Powersports, Rosehill Auction House and Boniferro Speed & Custom. Associate sponsors are Hoosier Tire Canada, Performance Improvements Speed Shops, Tread City Tire, MG Digital Media and Scott Jahren Paint. Contingency sponsors are The Trailer Shop, Crew Chief Software, Caruso Racing and Carl McQuillen Racing Engines. Official photographer at the Canadian events is Dale Boeru of Canadian Drag Racing Photos.

A big thank you to Russ & Arlene Parker for faithfully showing up at every event and taking care of sign-in, qualifying sheets, ladder preparation, pairing the cars every round and payouts. “It would have been virtually impossible for the series to run as efficiently as it did without Russ & Arlene’s support,” added Ted. “They are simply amazing people.”

Thanks also to DragRaceCanada.com & DragRaceCentral.com for their continuous Internet coverage of the series and to Bill Mehlenbacher, Tim Miller and Larry Ott for their coverage in the local papers.

The 2008 TNT Yearend Awards Dinner will be a casual evening - held on Saturday November 22nd at 7:30pm at Mick & Angelo’s Eatery, 7600 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ONTARIO. Email lewis@tntsuperseries.com to reserve your seat (if you haven’t already!).

Over the winter months, make sure you visit www.tntsuperseries.com every week for TNT Series updates including 2009 schedule information.