Paul Young and Chris VanBaalen are winners at TNT Super Series Memorial Day Weekend

VanBaalen takes early points lead after going deep in the field both days!

NEW YORK – The 2015 Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series kicked off strong this past Memorial Day weekend presented by Steve’s Electric. Paul Young from Alden, New York bested a 25 car field at Lancaster Speedway and Dragway’s eighth mile on Friday night and then Wellandport, Ontario’s Chris VanBaalen topped the 29 car field Saturday on the quarter mile at Empire Dragway. VanBaalen’s performance put him atop the standings in the 2015 TNTSS points chase and both drivers have improved their qualifying position in the REVS Full Throttle Powersports RACE OF CHAMPIONS coming up later this year.

Paul Young – photog Ted BarnesFriday May 22 – Results

After qualifying fifth with a 7.010, 2009 TNTSS Champion Paul Young faced Tom Coonly in round one and lit the beacon in a double breakout 6.998 to a 6.996. Then he laid a near perfect .502 tree on Joe Karosik in round two. Third round saw him take out Sam LoVetro Jr and then in the semi-finals, it was Jan Winkowski going .499 red to send Young to the money round.

The other side of the ladder had 2014 Lancaster Top ET champion Jeff Sobczynski who was doing double duty, making it to the final in both TOP ET and the TNTSS. He made quick work of Cira, Pulver, D’Alessandro and VanBaalen before meeting up with Young.

When the tree came down, Sobczynski went .499 red and handed Young the $800 winner’s purse and his third event win in the TNTSS.

“I would like to thank Joe Boniferro and all the TNTSS crew for a great series,” commented Young in the winner’s circle. “Our sponsors Old Dutchman Wrought Iron and Emerald Concrete of Buffalo are a great help. I also want to thank Dom, Rob and Dillon and extra thanks to my dad!”

Specialty Awards – Friday

Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One Qualifier

Ryan Boniferro (Niagara Falls, ON) with a 7.003
J&S Collision $50 – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)

Ted Barnes (Caistorville, ON) with a 7.013

Chris VanBaalen – photog Ted BarnesSaturday May 23 – Results

Chris VanBaalen posted a soft 10.952 in qualifying but got it sorted out by round one where he defeated Jerry Highway with an .024 tree. Round two saw him overcome a significant starting line disadvantage when Ryan Boniferro laid a .003 light to VanBaalen’s .047. Lucky for VanBaalen that Boniferro couldn’t run the number and he squeaked through with a 10.905.

Then it was Ron D’Alessandro whose .024 tree was no match for VanBaalen’s .004 in round three. He then laid an .001 light on Larry Pulver and pushed the Camaro under to a 10.863. Sam LoVetro was marching through the other side of the ladder taking out the likes of Lynden, Gregoire, Maduri and 2012 TNTSS champion Dave Surmatchewski in the semi’s.

The final round set up VanBaalen with LoVetro – who was running both Super Pro and TNTSS and in the finals of both. LoVetro had the tree .019 to .055 but went under to lose with at 10.894 to VanBaalen’s 10.909 earning him his second win in TNTSS competition.

VanBaalen was quick to thank his parents for all their help. “My dad is always giving me advice whether working on the car or at the track,” he added. “I also would like to thank Matt and Sherry Devries at Matts Auto Service for everything they do to keep my car at the track running strong.”

The 1986 Monte Carlo has a new sponsor this year with Shawn Ellsworth at the Mac Outpost. “Shawn helps me with the computer that keeps my car dialed in! I’d also like to thank Mark Ackert at www.dragnden.com for his support media wise this year,” he added. “And last but not least my girlfriend Celina. If it was not for her I would not be out racing every week. She’s my biggest supporter and probably only fan. And thanks to Joe Boniferro and Ted Barnes for giving us a great series to run in.”

Specialty Awards – Saturday

Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One Qualifier

Bill Hill (Rochester, NY) with a 10.902
J&S Collision $50 – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)

Art Jones (Webster, NY) with a 10.911
Next up on the 2015 TNTSS schedule is a Canadian double on June 6-7 at Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park alongside the DSE Sportsman Series. Visit www.tntsuperseries.com for all the latest news on the most popular sportsman drag racing series in the country.