The Quality Plus Racing team from Toronto, Ontario returned home after being on the road for 4 weeks straight. The “road trip” started with the ESTN in Valdosta, Georgia. The team planned to get their McAmis built 57 Chevrolet acclimated to the new Pro Mod rules. Driver Tony Pontieri would need some time getting used to swapping feet again and Car Chief Jason McKnight from the Al Billes racing stables would need some time to tune the car in with the 4.30 rear gear and no 2-step rev control. They did just that making over 10 runs in a 5 day period and ran several low 6-second runs.
The team left the successful test session in Valdosta and headed to the AC Delco Gatornationals. Pontieri placed the Rob Sporring owned 57 Chevy in the 3rd qualifying spot with a 6.007 @ 240 MPH. Pontieri stated, “It’s been a long time coming. This team really needed that run. Al and Jason and the rest of the guys have worked so hard. We have all the pieces to be a contender at every race.” Pontieri had a very exciting 1st round race where the car got loose and almost crossed the center line, but Pontieri lifted and saved the run. Luckily, Tim Tindale had larger problems in the other lane and was not a factor in the match up. A second round match with team mate Raymond Commisso was the marquee match, as Tony was late on the tree and lost on a holeshot 6.03 to Commisso’s 6.06. The Quality Plus team packed up and headed to San Antonio, TX for the first Knoll-Gas IHRA Nitro Jam Series.
As the team headed to San Antonio, Tony had to head home because his father in law had passed. When the services were complete, he boarded an airplane and headed back to the race track. Once again the team qualified in the 3rd position with an Eight mile blast of 3.97 @ 189.04. The San Antonio track was very difficult and Pontieri fell to tire shake in the first round and gave the win to Pat Stoken.
All in all, the team gathered more data in their quest for a championship in 2007.
Pontieri stated “It hurts when you go out and you know you have a car that is fully capable to win. That’s drag racing so they say. We just have to pick up and get ready for Rockingham”.
The Quality Plus Compressors Pro Mod team would like to thank the following companies and individuals that help make this effort a reality: Quality Plus Compressors, Pontieri Automotive, Al Billes Racing, Too Precise Machine, L J Chassis, Ultimate Performance, Speed O Rama Shows, Gary's Transmissions, Cucci Hair Salon, Auto Meter, Fast Eddie Race Wear, Weld Wheel Inc, Bear's Performance, D.M.P.E Inc., The Trailer Shop, Joe Van Overbeek Race Car Bodies and Vici Promotions.
- From Jon Salemi / DMPE Inc.
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