Martino’s “Plan B” at St. Louis

Ontario Pro Stock racer Mark Martino was forced into a very late withdrawal from competition for last weekend’s NHRA AAA Insurance Mid-West Nationals at St. Louis…..

Due to an unfortunate passing within his family (wife’s grandmother – our condolances) Mark was unable to compete.

So the team quickely put together a “Plan B” so that their potent Charter Communications-backed GXP could still participate.   The team hired Jim Yates’ talented son Jamie as it’s crew chief and they also put very skilled up-and-coming driver Buddy Perkinson (from Virginia) in the car for the weekend.

Despite the very late and reactive nature of the arrangement — the end results were truly impressive.   Using a very potent Victor Cagnazzi engine program once again in the car — Perkinson qualified #8 at 6.536 secs at 212.33 mph.

Canada’s premier NHRA Pro Stock car ran well under trying circumstances at NHRA St. Louis last weekend.

That was followed by a superb showing during Sunday’s Pro Stock eliminations.   In round one, using a superior .012 RT, Perkinson won on a holeshot over V. Gaines (6.564 secs to 6.551 secs).  Then in round #2 Buddy delivered an even quicker start (a .003 light!) versus Jason Line.   Buddy ran a 6.546 secs at 211.39 mph but that was just nipped by Jason’s very quick 6.506 secs — low ET of the entire eliminations.

“Buddy and Jamie both did a great job under some very trying circumstances,” said Mark Martino.  “We’re really pleased with the way the car ran again.”

With the running of the St. Louis area race, the Martino Motorsports team (Stoney Creek ON) has concluded it’s 2012 racing season.  They will switch their focus to the off-season and expectations are that will include some important developments regarding how the team is going to move forward in 2013.

Posted by:  Bruce Biegler

Photo by:  David Ostaszewski