Stoney Creek, ON – It’s been a winding road for Mark Martino since he last competed on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series with his Charter Communications Pro Stock Pontiac GXP. But a new partnership with Victor Cagnazzi, that will see Martino run five of the remaining eight events in 2012 with Cagnazzi Racing power, ensures that he will fill the role of “spoiler” quite well when matched up against the touring pros contending for the series championship.
“It’s pretty exciting knowing we’re gonna be running with Cagnazzi power. Everyone who’s ever run his engines does well. So you know we’re looking forward to it,” said an excited Martino. Cagnazzi Racing has a proven track record having won two NHRA Pro Stock World Championships and most recently having put Erica Enders in the winner’s circle at the Chicago and Seattle tour stops, making her the first female driver in history to win an NHRA national event in the Pro Stock category.
In joining forces with Cagnazzi, Martino will banner the Charter Communications brand on his car at this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota. “We’re excited to run the Charter colors because they’ve supported Cagnazzi throughout the years. It’s the first time we’ve represented a major company on our car and we want to do really well for them,” noted Martino.
Having not been on the track since the Topeka, Kansas tour stop in May, Martino is thrilled to be returning to action this weekend. “Oh I can’t wait! Testing this past Thursday, you get all your adrenaline pumping. You let the clutch out and it just feels so good.”
The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals get underway with the first professional qualifying round this Friday, August 17, at 2 p.m.
For more information visit www.nhra.com and www.markmartino.com.
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ABOUT MARK MARTINO
The third year pro has achieved great things thus far competing on a limited basis in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, including recording his first round win at the 2012 Gatornational’s, beating two-time and defending series champion Jason Line. His accomplishments also include a clutch performance on his sports biggest stage at the 2011 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, where he qualified for the 16 car Pro Stock field, besting 13 other competitors, including six-time NHRA World Champion Warren Johnson and multi-time national event winner Larry Morgan, for one of the highly coveted spots.
From Jory Elliott
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