FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pete D'Agnolo crushes 71 car field to win $5000 in TNT Super Series at Empire's Pro Am
2016 marks the tenth season for the highly competitive sportsman series!
LEICESTER, NEW YORK (August 24, 2016) The Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series hosted its first $5000/win race this past weekend as an opener to the IHRA Pro Am at Empire Dragway. Pete D'Agnolo from Rochester, New York took the win from the 71 car field and earned himself the big cheque.
With presenting sponsors Roy & Tara Lister, the TNTSS 5K was destined for success. Series creators Ted Barnes and Joe Boniferro said they wanted to do something special for the tenth season. “Joe came up with the 5K idea during the off season and we ran with it. Seventy-one cars made this by far the biggest race in the history of the series and a terrific way to celebrate season ten!” said Barnes.
D’Agnolo’s march through the field began when he went .001 red to Tim Fletcher, but still ran dead 7.006. Lucky for him, this TNTSS race offered buybacks so in he went to face Tom Coonly next. Coonly went red but would've had his work cut out for him as D'Agnolo was .005 and 7.007.
In round three the field was laddered and he paired with Doug Wood who missed the tree at .056 to D'Agnolo's .027. Then Gary Saska was next on his hit list where D’Agnolo had the advantage off the start .010 to .039. The quarter-final round had him paired with Billy Leber. Leber had the tree at .012 to a .020 but couldn't run the number and D'Agnolo went around him for the win running dead five.
Now down to four cars, it was D'Agnolo against Jim Thomson. Almost even off the line (.012 to .016), D'Agnolo came out with the W running 6.995 to a quicker 6.990 even with Thomson taking .001 at the stripe. The other side of the ladder had Jacob Elrod falling with a .014, 7.023 to Pete Maduri Jr with a .024, 7.000 package.
In the money round, Maduri had the lead at the start (.008 to .021) but took .020 at the stripe which was .007 too much in the double breakout 6.980 to a 6.987 and D'Agnolo got his third win in the popular sportsman series.
"I don't really know where to start," said D'Agnolo in the winner's circle. "It was an amazing weekend! Huge thanks to Ted Barnes, Joe Boniferro and Roy Lister for putting on the 5k race! You couldn't ask for a better series!" He was quick to thank his parents, uncle Tony and girlfriend Krissy for all their support. "Also want to thank Tom Coonly, Billy Ryan, Art Jones, all the guys back at S & R Automotive, JRO Designs and Rock Batteries!"
D'Agnolo had a very successful weekend as he not only won the TNTSS 5K on Friday night, he earned three Ironmen in the Pro Am on Saturday.
The TNTSS 5K would not have happened without presenters like Roy & Tara Lister and the added support from Joe's Transmission, Ian Hill Racing/RPM Magazine, HeadsUpRacer.com, Scott Jahren Paint, The Balancing Act, Boniferro Speed & Custom, Louie’s Car Clinic and Empire Dragway.
If you missed it, you can watch the event in its entirety on MotorManiaTV 2. http://livestream.com/motormaniatv2/2016IHRAProAmEmpire
As a result of his semi-final finish in the TNTSS 5K, there is a new points leader in the chase for the 2016 Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series championship and he is Jim Thomson from Niagara Falls, Ontario with 568 points, ahead of second place Dave Gunn by 69 points.
Next up is championship weekend including the annual Revs Full Throttle Powersports RACE OF CHAMPIONS on Labor Day weekend. Visit www.tntsuperseries.com or www.facebook.com/TNTSuperSeries for all you need to know about the best sportsman series in the country.
Specialty Awards
2016 Joe's Transmission TNT Super Series Points Standings - Top Ten (8 of 10 races complete)
| 1 | Jim | Thomson | 568 |
| 2 | Dave | Gunn | 499 |
| 3 | Art | Jones | 484 |
| 4 | Harry | Phelps | 476 |
| 5 | Mark | Herbold | 459 |
| 6 | Ryan | Boniferro | 447 |
| 7 | Billy | Ryan | 444 |
| 8 | David | Surmatchewski | 440 |
| 9 | Bill | Elekes | 438 |
| 10 | Tom | Coonly | 430 |
| 10 | Jamie | Stoneman | 430 |
| 10 | Pete/Pete | Maduri/Maduri | 430 |
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 stages.
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 points fund provides cash & prizes to the top eight finishers and the Series Champion receives a prize package worth over $4000.00.
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.
About Joe's Transmission
Joe Boniferro has owned and operated Joe's Transmission Service in Niagara Falls, Ontario since 1984. From the original single bay location, the business has progressed to a six bay, five employee automotive complex on Arthur Street. The two storey building houses Joe's Transmission (Commercial, Fleet and Performance Divisions) and Al's Radiator Service. They sell and install aftermarket high performance parts and accessories. As a Firestone Dealer they sell and install drag racing tires. Their specialty is building and repairing high performance transmissions. Contact Joe and his team at (905) 374-6116 or visit them online at www.joestransmission.com .
Photo credits - Bryan Epps
For more information please contact:
Lewis Robinson
TNTSS - Media Relations
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