ZA ZA ENERGY PRO HAS THE POWER TO WIN READING THIS WEEKEND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – Heading into this weekend’ s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, ZaZa Energy driver Erica Enders sits a lofty third in the Pro Stock standings.

She’s behind only KB Racing’s Jason Line and Greg Anderson, which in some people’s minds makes her “first in class.” But Enders doesn’t think that way, and neither does anyone on the Cagnazzi Racing team.

“I don’t want to be second to anybody,” Enders said. “We want to beat everybody, not just those two guys. We’re pretty close to them, so we’re excited.”

Enders is in the midst of her best season as a professional, racing to three final rounds this year and qualifying No. 1 twice. She also set the national record for speed earlier this year in Gainesville, Fla., of 213.57 mph.

That and the national elapsed-time record could be in jeopardy this weekend, as Reading is usually ideal for low ETs and high speeds.

“I hope it’s hot so they don’t take my records away,” Enders said. “And if somebody does set a new record, I hope it’s me and the ZaZa guys.”

The weather could be ugly this weekend, as rain is in the forecast for parts of Friday and Saturday when qualifying is scheduled. That could put pressure on Pro Stock teams who may only get one or two qualifying sessions in the books.

Crew chief Dave Connolly and the entire ZaZa team will keep a close watch on the weather, hoping to get their Chevrolet Cobalt down the track as quickly as possible.

“We go up there every round putting the same importance on the run, whether it’s qualifying or the finals,” Enders said. “I don’t think the weather will affect us. We’ve just got to get the job done, no matter how many rounds of qualifying we have.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Dave and my entire team, no matter what the circumstances are.”

Setting an elapsed time record would be a 20-point boost in the standings for Enders as she chases her first Pro Stock championship.

“Of course it’s always on our mind, round by round,” Enders said. “Every point is going to matter. But we’ve got to do our job and do the best we can, and the points will come. We did well in Charlotte, getting up to third place. That was exciting for us.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us every week, and all we can do is do our best. The cards are going to fall where they’re going to fall.”

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Contact: Lee Montgomery at 704-258-0903 or lee.montgomery@zazaenergy.com.

TRACK CHIC's KAREN STOFFER> RECORD SETTING RUNS ON 2nd PLACE RDIER'S MIND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – GEICO Suzuki rider Karen Stoffer believes national records in Pro Stock Motorcycle could come tumbling down in this weekend’s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Usually, the cooler weather and agreeable atmospheric conditions in Reading are ideal for high speeds and quick elapsed times. Stoffer hopes the GEICO team, led by crew chief/husband Gary Stoffer, can capitalize on the good conditions to be a part of the chase for a national elapsed time record, worth 20 bonus points.

“Gainesville, Sonoma and Reading have always been the ones where people try to set records because of all the oxygen in the trees around there, and generally, there tends to be cooler temperatures,” Stoffer said. “It can be a fast track. Gary’s a good tuner, and he’s exceptional in the cool weather.”

Stoffer was pretty good in the cool weather in Charlotte two races ago, qualifying third and reaching the final round. That was her fifth final of 2011 in what has become a career season for the GEICO team.

After reaching the second round last week in Dallas, Stoffer is second in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings, 63 out of the lead. And her approach to the Countdown to the Championship, which reaches the halfway point in Reading, is no different than other races this season.

“Right now, I’ve just got to get confident in my Christmas Tree and not think about things like that,” Stoffer said. “That’s what it’s going to take. I know they’ll figure out what slowed down the bike in Dallas and get it to where we can have consistency again.

“It’s the whole package: It’s me being in the right mindset, it’s the bike being consistent. I can’t think about the championship and points. I’ve got to think about each individual pass and making rounds. That’s what it comes down to.”

DOMINIQUE VAN WIERINGEN ON HER ROOKIE SEASON AT SPARTAN SPEEDWAY.

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.Prior to the start of the year, Van Wieringen joined forces with CFR and the combination was rewarded with a fifth place finish overall in the season long points chase as well as sharing the 2011 Rookie of the Year title with fellow rookie, Scott Sigman while also winning the 2011 Most Improved Driver Award at the fast ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval of Spartan Speedway, located south of Lansing in Mason, Michigan.

Looking back on the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen has plenty to be thankful for. “The first thing I need to do is thank Durobyte.com and my Family. To get the chance to do the things I have up to now is truly amazing to me.” Remarked the Amherstburg, Ontario / Canada driver. “I’m very grateful for all the opportunities my Dad and Mom have been able to acquire for me in motorsports. Every since I was a little girl and up to now have been things I’ve dreamed about wanting to do.”

The 16-year-old continued; “I can’t thank the entire CFR crew for all of their hard work this year. They really helped me and built my confidence up and taught me a lot throughout the whole year. My achievements are a direct reflection of who they are and what they are about. Jeff and Chad Finley have been around me and my family for a while and have always been good friends and supporters. Jeff has been down all these roads before and brings so much experience to the team it is just great.” She ended.


The highlight of her rookie season was in only her sixth career start behind the wheel of a full bodied racecar and on that memorable Friday night, July 15th, she would fight off two-time track champion, Jimmy Gallagher to score her first career feature win and become just the second female in the tracks long and storied history to win a Feature in the tracks premiere division since Barb Beurmann accomplished the feat back in 1982, 29 years previous! In 10 starts, she has one Feature Win as well as three top five finishes and six top 10s.

“All of us at CFR are very proud of her accomplishments this year. Honestly we didn’t know what to expect coming into the year.” Added Car Owner and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame member, Jeff Finley. “I met her family through go-kart racing and have watched her for some time now. Her Dad and I got to talking one day and then here we were racing together. For her to go to victory lane this year and win these awards shows her dedication to becoming a great race car driver. We are honored to have her be a part of our development program and look forward to the future with her.” Finley ended.

Throughout the year and on off weekends from driving the Outlaw Super, Van Wieringen also raced one of her two MRP Motorsports Birel Racing Go-Karts as the 2011 season is her final year of racing the National circuit in the World Karting Association (WKA) series where she is one of the top drivers in the circuit. She began her racing career at just five years old as she started out in racing of the two-wheeled variety, in Motocross. She spent six seasons on motorcycles before moving into four-wheeled racing and went Go-Kart racing where she continues to be one of the top competitors within the WKA.

Looking ahead to the 2012 racing season, the Canadian teenager will participate in more Outlaw Super Late Model shows while also racing in 3-5 races within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts with her sights set on going after the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year Presented by Howe Racing Enterprises, which is awarded to the top freshman in the JEGS/CRA/GM series, in 2013.

During the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen’s #95 Outlaw Super Late Model with a Chevrolet Camaro front nose, had sponsorship decals from DuroByte Inc., as well as NorthsideTowing.net, M.P.H. Promotions, and Chad Finley Racing.

To learn more about Dominic Van Wieringen and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 racing season, go to her webpage within the Chad Finley Racing Website at: www.chadfinleyracing.comMichigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.