Kon Rodz Racing, Simonton Unveiling New Look at Chicago
JOLIET, IL – Canadian Top Alcohol Funny Car team Kon Rodz Racing announced today that new sponsors Bell Racing USA and 
Aerodine Composites Group would increase their involvement in the team, which includes driver Cassie Simonton and veteran tuner Randy Anderson. Kon Rodz will debut a brand new look highlighting the colors and logos of Bell and Aerodine at this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals just outside of Chicago.
Aerodine Composites Group joined on as an associate sponsor at the beginning of the 2013 season. In addition to the Kon Rodz Racing Monte Carlo TAFC, Aerodine’s products can be found on some of the top tier IndyCar, NASCAR, and NHRA fuel entries. They specialize in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of carbon fiber and other composites used in the automotive and aviation industries. Aerodine is well-known within the drag racing circles for their development of the Top Fuel canopy in cooperation with Don Schumacher Racing. Other drag racing applications include injectors and wings. The company chose to work with Kon Rodz Racing to help market their products to the Pro Sportsman and Sportsman competitors.
“Aerodine Composites was looking to expand our presence in the NHRA Top Alcohol ranks. We wanted to go with one of the top teams out there. The Kontos family was the type of team we were looking for. They have a very professional, hands-on driver in Cassie Simonton and one of the top crew chiefs in the business in Randy Anderson. We are learning what they need and how we can help them achieve their goals of winning races and championships,” said Steve Schiewer, general manager at Aerodine.
Like Aerodine, Bell Racing USA began their partnership with Kon Rodz Racing at the start of the season. The Champaign, Illinois-based safety company provided Simonton with a set of top of the line helmets, which later received a fresh coat of outstanding paint at Off Axis Custom Paint. The Chicago national event, the site of the team’s first final round last year, is also the home race for Bell Racing.
“Certainly any time we get a major racing event in Illinois we like to think of it as an opportunity to showcase our products on our home turf. The ability to have Bell employees from the main office come out to the track and get a taste of the support we provide to the drivers is an added bonus as well,” said Toby Hallett of Bell Racing USA. He added, “Our partnership with the Kon Rodz team and driver Cassie Simonton only strengthens our commitment to the NHRA Drag Racing community from the Professional ranks down through the Sportsman teams. The entire Kon Rodz organization is top notch and we couldn’t be more excited to have them represent Bell Racing USA and show off the new Bell logo to all the fans and teams starting right here in Illinois,”
Kon Rodz Racing chose the Route 66 Nationals to debut their new look due in part to the race’s proximity to the Bell Racing (Champaign, Ill.) and Aerodine (Indianapolis) company headquarters.
The team’s success at the Windy City race track was another deciding factor. Simonton earned the team’s first #1 qualifier award at the 2012 Chicago regional before reaching her first final round at the national event, beating class veterans Steve Gasparrelli, John Lombardo Jr., and Mickey Ferro before falling to Frank Manzo. Cassie and the team raced to the finals at this year’s regional event, held just weeks ago.
“We love racing at Route 66 Raceway. We’ve been to the finals at our last two appearances at the track so we have plenty of data built up. Our goal this weekend is just like any other event – win the race. We couldn’t think of a better time to earn our first Wally, with our new look and our friends at Aerodine and Bell joining us,” claimed Simonton, the Minnesota driver now in her fourth season as the driver of the Kon Rodz Racing entry.
“The team has been working around the clock this week to get the new body ready for this race. We’re very excited to show the fans our new red, white, and black look with support from Aerodine Composites and Bell Racing USA, among others. The team has enjoyed success at this track in the past, but we’re looking to go one round further this time. Everyone on the team is hungry for our first win,” said Stefan Kontos, Kon Rodz team president.
Cassie Simonton and the Kon Rodz Racing TAFC team will take to the track for Friday qualifying at 11:30 AM and 3 PM CST. Another qualifying session is scheduled for 3 PM Saturday. Top Alcohol eliminations begin at 9 AM Sunday morning.
