Surmatchewski Assumes Commanding TNT Points Lead

Surmatchewski “doubles up”  while Jablonski takes Race of Champions during TNT Super Series stop in Cayuga……

Cayuga Dragway at Toronto Motorsports Park saw an excellent weekend of sportsman drag racing in the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series presented by Bieda’s Powersports.  Mother Nature co-operated and in the end, Dave Surmatchewski from Oakland, Ontario took his 1983 Cutlass to victory in both Saturday and Sunday’s main events while Jon Jablonski scored the highly coveted Trailer Shop / ERD Race of Champions win.

Race Of Champions

To get in, you had to be a winner of any TNTSS event since the series began.  Fifteen of those winners took to the track on Saturday night for the first-of-its-kind Trailer Shop / ERD Race of Champions.  When the dust settled, it was West Seneca, New York’s Jon Jablonski who emerged as the best of the best and took home the $1200 payout.

Jon’s run to the final round saw him defeat Steve McCarrick with a starting line advantage in round one, push 2010 TNTSS Champion Pete Maduri Jr under the index to a break out in round two and then take the stripe on the series’ 2008 Champ Ted Barnes in the semi’s.

The money round had him set up to face Andrew Stirk from Orangeville, Ontario.  Andrew had the holeshot with an .012 to Jon’s uncharacteristically late .060 reaction time.  But Andrew went too fast running 10.892 at 125 mph to Jon’s 10.919 at a stout 148 mph.

“I had a lot of luck when I needed it,” said the 2010 IHRA Division One Super Rod Champion in the winner’s circle.  “The best round was the semi’s against Ted.  I had a bit on him at the tree and at the stripe, he was 10.941 to my 10.936.”

“I want to thank Carl and Ron Spiering for supporting the series and of course Joe Boniferro for all he does.  This is an awesome series.  I enjoy the racing and the racers.”

Carl Spiering of The Trailer Shop and Engine Research & Development (ERD) says they enjoy being a part of the TNT Super Series.  “It’s an excellent series that produces some really good racers,” said Carl.  “They all work so hard to get here.  It’s great to see them have success on the racetrack.”

Dave Surmatchewski has assumed a commanding points lead in the 2011 TNT Super Series points chase

Saturday September 3

Twenty-six cars took to the ¼ mile and after two qualifying sessions, Sam LoVetro Jr sat atop the field with a 10.903 in the number one spot.

But it was Dave Surmatchewski taking the field to school and defeating Gary Kerl from Williamsville, NY in the final round.  Gary’s .006 red light handed the win over to Dave right on the starting line.  Interestingly both drivers ran it out to identical 10.882 ET’s.

On his march through the field, Dave bested Pete Maduri Jr, Gary Saska, Mark Herbold and Matt Devries.

Sunday September 4

Sunday’s 1/8 mile qualifying saw Wellandport, Ontario native Chris VanBaalen land a 7.004 putting him in the coveted pole position.

Again it was Dave Surmatchewski taking out Marc Vezina, Mark Herbold and Gary Saska on his way to the final.  There he met Harry Phelps from Newark, New York and things ended quickly on the starting line when Harry went .002 red, giving Dave his second victory of the weekend.

This is Dave’s seventh win in the popular 10.90 sportsman series putting him on the top of the all-time Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series win list.

“I have to thank my family – my wife Alyson and my daughters Marissa and Madison,” said Dave in the Toronto Motorsports Park winner’s circle.  “Without them, none of this would be worthwhile.”

Dave was quick to thank his sponsors Alex Schuts at Insta-Insulation, Danny at Douglas Engines and Brady & staff at UAP NAPA Brantford for their continued support.

“Thanks to Bieda’s Powersports and Joe’s Transmission for their help with the series,” added Dave.

This is the first time in Dave’s racing career that he’s won back to back races on the same weekend.  “The track was tricky this weekend.  It took a large amount of focus and persistence to endure the weather and changing track conditions to get to the final round on Saturday especially.”

Specialty Awards – Sept 3

• Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One Qualifier
  • Sam LoVetro Jr (Webster, New York) with a 10.903
• J&S Collision $50 – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)
  • Nick Mayer (Niagara Falls, Ontario) with a 10.922

 Specialty Awards – Sept 4

• Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One Qualifier
  • Chris VanBaalen (Wellandport, Ontario) with a 7.004
• J&S Collision $50 – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)
  • Scott Jahren (Tonawanda, New York) with a 7.004

Final stop on the 2011 Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series schedule is a double race weekend in New York State – Friday September 9 at Dunn Tire Raceway Park and Saturday September 10 at Empire Dragway.  Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for complete details.

 Current Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series Championship Points Standings – Top Ten

About Joe’s Transmission Service

Joe’s Transmission has been in business in Niagara Falls, Ontario since 1984.  They sell & install high performance parts & accessories however their specialty is building & repairing high performance transmissions.  Contact Joe and his team at (905) 374-6116 or visit them online at www.joestransmission.com .

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 stage.

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 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.

Photo credit: Dale Boeru – www.CanadianDragRacer.ca