Lesenko “Taps In” to Full Time NHRA Ride
Canadian fuel FC racing fans will have two Funny Car drivers to cheer for during the upcoming 2012 NHRA Full Throttle season. Tap It Brewing Company has announced primary sponsorship for the Jim Dunn Racing fuel funny car and Canadian Todd Lesenko will be the team driver….
Tap It Brewing Co., located on California’s central coast, is the maker of fine handcrafted ales artfully brewed in a variety of flavors from bold and intense to cool and refreshing.
Jim Dunn is one of the original pioneers of NHRA Drag Racing. He began his career as a competitor in 1950 when the popularity of the sport was starting to take hold on local strips throughoutSouthern California. Over the years, the acclaimed driver/crew chief/team owner has accumulated numerous wins and performance records and in 2011 was named to the NHRA’s all time top 50 driver’s list.
“We’re proud to have Tap It Brewing team up with us for the 2012 season,” said team owner Dunn. “We have been in NHRA drag racing for a long time and we know what it takes to make the sponsor experience highly successful. Our car and crew are seasoned veterans and we’re all looking forward to kicking off the season and showcasing our partnership with Tap It Brewing and all of our sponsors.”
“The shift in American beer tastes continues to head more and more toward micro and handcrafted beers,” according to Tap It sales manager Robert Garcia. “Our teaming up with Jim Dunn Racing is the perfect opportunity for us to expose the Tap It Brewing name to millions of NHRA fans and distributors around the country and we’re excited to be on board,” added Garcia.
Canada will be represented by two native FC drivers in 2012 - Jeff Arend & Todd Lesenko
Team manager Jon Dunn announced that driver Todd Lesenko (from Edmonton Alberta) will be behind the wheel when the Jim Dunn Racing/Tap It Brewing funny car lines it up to kick off the season at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, CA, February 9-12, 2012.
Lesenko entered the last three events of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle season as an independent and qualified at two of those races. Todd will join Jeff Arend as the only other Canadian driver actively participating in the NHRA Fuel FC category
“We’re extremely pleased to have signed Todd on as our driver of the Tap It Brewing funny car,” said Dunn. “Todd is a great addition to the team. Fans and sponsors alike are going to enjoy watching Todd race this year and he will do a great job on and off the track representing Jim Dunn racing as well.”
Along with Tap It Brewing, team sponsors for 2012 include: Canidae Natural Pet Foods, Lincoln Technical Institute, Kymco, Moon, Lucas Oil, Bumper to Bumper, Lescure Fuel Oil Equipment, Fountain Tire, Blaze Technical Services, Antrim Construction, Ashton Transport, Active Group.
For more information on Tap It Brewing Co., LLC visit www.tapitbrewing.com
(Bruce Biegler Photo)
