The NAPA Quick 32 Sportsman Series top five for 2009 - T.J. Schippling – fifth place

SHAKESPEARE, ONTARIO (October 13, 2009) – T.J. Schippling’s name will go down in the record books as the winner of the first Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts event, held at the Cayuga Dragway in May of 2009.

“The highlight of the season for sure was the Cayuga win,” said the driver of the Schippling Motorsports Undercover Dragster. “I really wanted a win in this series and to win the first was special.”

Schippling placed fifth in the new NAPA Auto Parts sponsored Quick 32 Sportsman Series Point Award Championship, which features Top Sportsman and Top Dragster race cars in a 16-car elimination field for each group. The winner of each group then goes on to an event final, with the winner of that race declared the event champion.

With a 565-cubic inch Steve Schmidt engine and Powerglide transmission, the Lucas Oil Dragster experienced some ignition problems after the Cayuga victory. The team, which includes crew chief Dan Morgan and team owner Thom Schippling, did qualify for all later races save one, as they struggled to get back into contention.

“We thrashed quite a bit,” Schippling explained over the ignition woes. “It ended up a little thing that was causing big problems but we finally got it fixed.”

“That problem definitely cost us a couple races," he added.

Schippling said he was pleased with the new series in general, and is looking forward to next season.

“We loved the series,” he said. “I think it exceeded everyone’s expectations. It was the right time for something like this.”

“It is especially good for a team like ours and all the companies we represent,” he continued. “And I am proud that we made it into the top five.”

The Schippling Motorsports team is sponsored by Lucas Oil Products Canada, Dixie Chopper, K&N Engineering, Mechanix Wear, Piloti, Auto Meter, Bella Water Express, Fastpixs, Vonblood, NGK Spark Plugs, Mickey Thompson Tires, Millroad Manufacturing and JEGS.

The PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Championship Point Award Series winners will be honored at the Champions Banquet on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at The Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel in the Oak Room in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Bruce@Quick32.ca

About the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts:
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, of drag racing was started early in 2009 as an alternative for high-horsepower Sportsman-class teams to compete on a regular basis.

For 2009, dates included Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, starting with the season opener on May 16 and 17 and the season-closer “Double Header” on September 19 and 20, and the South-western Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex on June 27 and 28, the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts August 15 and 16 and the Thunder by the Beach Weekend September 5 and 6.

With 32-car qualified fields comprised of the 16 quickest open wheeled cars (Top Dragster) and the 16 quickest door cars (Top Sportsman), the Quick 32 Sportsman Series featured the best in ET-style, dial-in drag racing, competing on a Sportsman ladder and pit door-slammers against dragsters in every race day final.

Competitors in this Ontario-based series must comply with the IHRA Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Safety rules and regulations, and the maximum dial-in will be 7.95 seconds for the quarter-mile.

This new venture provided $3000 to win for each event and $5000 for the annual Championship Point Award Series champion, payouts very popular with competitors and will provide large fields of race cars.

The Quick 32 Sportsman Series is committed in providing a professional atmosphere for its teams. It will also provide solid media and logistic support to ensure it becomes one of the most popular drag race series running Top Sportsman and Top Dragster race cars.

The Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts competed several times with the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.PMRA.ca, as well as selected special events, offering fans a great show of drag racing.

Photo Credit: Bill Mehlenbacher Photography - www.nxphoto.com and Mike Goodwin - www.mgdigital.ca