Mark Herbold and Tyler Halleen take wins at TNT Super Series 2018 season opener

First win for Halleen since juniors and he holds the TNTSS points lead!

NEW YORK – The Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series kicked off season 12 on Memorial Day weekend presented by the “Friends of the TNTSS” (Steve McCarrick and Larry Pulver). Friday saw Mark Herbold from Elma, NY add another win to his racing resume and Saturday it was Tyler Halleen out of Niagara Falls, NY who took home the big check with his first win in TNTSS competition.

24 cars rolled into the water box for round one on Friday at Lancaster Dragway with last year’s champion Tom Coonly taking the pole with a dead-on 7.000. But it was Mark Herbold marching through Pat Boniferro, Tom Coonly and Ted Barnes on his way to the final round.

There he met up with Pete Maduri Jr. with only .010 separating them at the tree, Herbold hung on and pushed Maduri under the index to take the win.

“Thanks to my wife Janice, Dave & Janet Kennedy and all my family & friends,” said Herbold. “The guys at Jan-Cen Motorsports, Jay at Reid’s, May’s Tree Service and Tom & Michelle from B&B Fence Company.”

Herbold also wanted to mention how much he appreciates the TNT Super Series and all the hard work everyone involved does. “I can’t forget our girls Sarah & Stephanie and son-in-law Aaron – and our granddaughter Aubrey James that brings so much joy to us.”

Saturday saw the series roll into Empire Dragway where 25 cars qualified and Pat Boniferro scored #1 qualifier with a 7.001 in Kevin Orr’s Corvette. It was Tyler Halleen lighting the final beacon of the night earning his first TNT Super Series event win and punching his ticket into the REVS Full Throttle RACE OF CHAMPIONS coming up later in June.

Halleen had some tough competition on his way to the money round defeating Bob Heans, Ted Barnes, Jeff Sobczynski and Doug Lynden. In the final, he paired up with Chris VanBaalen where Halleen was .011 ahead at the hit and carried it through to win in a double breakout 6.992 to 6.984.

“I’d like to thank my Mom (Vanessa) and Dad (Rich), Grandma (Jane), Jake and Emma for all the support,” said Halleen in the Empire Dragway winner’s circle. “Special thanks to my Grandpa (Ron Sr.) for all the hard work on and off the track and giving me the opportunity to race.”

Halleen was quick to thank Matt Shaff at Pro-Formance Specialities “for building an badass motor!” and the gang at Gray’s Furnace. “Thanks to Joe Boniferro, Ted Barnes, and Charlene Lepp for running an amazing series to race in. That first win is always a special one and to get it done with my Grandpa made it even more special!”

Next up are Races 3 & 4 at Toronto Motorsports Park on June 9 & 10.

To learn more about the Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series and how you can become a part of it, visit www.tntsuperseries.com or www.facebook.com/TNTSuperSeries and sign up for the mailing list.

Specialty Awards – Friday

Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One QualifierTom Coonly with a 7.000
J&S Collision $50 cash – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)Joe Karosik with a 7.000
VP Fuels $50 certificate – Closest to the Index (2nd Round Loser)Chris VanBaalen with a 7.014
VP Fuels $50 certificate – Closest to the Index (3rd Round Loser)Pete Maduri Sr with a 7.018
Specialty Awards – Saturday

Hoosier Tire Canada $100 certificate – Number One QualifierPat Boniferro with a 7.001
J&S Collision $50 cash – Closest to the Index (1st Round Loser)Larry Pulver with a 7.012
VP Fuels $50 certificate – Closest to the Index (2nd Round Loser)Ted Barnes with a 7.003
VP Fuels $50 certificate – Closest to the Index (3rd Round Loser)Sam LoVetro with a 7.012