Popular victory at KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest

CAYUGA, ON - (June 24, 2006) – Mark Nielson captured his first victory in Pro Modified Racing Association PMRA) competition with a popular win to open the 2006 PMRA season.
The PMRA race was part of the KC Auto Family Day Thunder Festevent at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Nielsen, of Brantford, ON. “I’m feeling pretty good.”
Qualifying fifth in the Nielson Motorsports 2000 Camaro-bodied Pro Modified, Nielsen bested 2005 PMRA Champion Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, NY, in a wild and slippery final.
“The track was pretty wet out there,” said Nielson after the race. “I had to get out of it real early.”
Lilienthal, who qualified third with his Jeep-bodied Pro Modified, was running consistent passes all day in the mid-six-second range, but his 7.866-second final was not good enough for Nielson’s 7.233-second winning pass.
Semi-finalists were Ralph Andreacchi of Maple, ON, in his 1953 Studebaker, and Terry Brown of Caledonia, ON, in his 1971 Dodge RT Challenger.
Top qualifier Kasey Janzen of St. Catharines set the pace for the field with a 6.490-second, 214.86-mph pass, but was eliminated by Andreacchi in the first round.
Nielson was quick to thank his crew after his win, and to thank Carl Spiering of ERD (Engine Research and Development) and Jim Salemi of G-Force Race cars.
Spiering built an awesome motor,” said Nielson. “This is a whole new deal for us. This car has a lot more in it.”

PMRA SPECIAL AWARDS
Auto Meter Products - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Kasey Janzen, St. Catharines, ON

Auto Meter Products - Event Winner Contingency Award - Mark Nielson, Brantford, ON

Bear's Performance Products - Consistent Qualifier Bonus - Joe Lilienthal, Kenmore, NY

Competition Tire Canada/Goodyear Racing Tire - Low Qualifier Contingency Award - Kasey Janzen, St. Catharines, ON

Competition Tire Canada/Goodyear Racing Tire - Event Winner Contingency Award - Mark Nielson, Brantford, ON

Darren Mayer Performance Engineering (DMPE) - Low Qualifier Bonus - Kasey Janzen, St. Catharines, ON

ERD (Engine Research and Development) - Low Qualifier Contingency Award

ERD (Engine Research and Development) - Event Winner Contingency Award - Mark Nielson, Brantford, ON

Grisdale Racing Products - Best Appearing Car - Joe Boniferro, Niagara Falls, ON

Gulfway Insurers - Best Reaction Time & Round Winner - Joe Lilienthal, Kenmore, NY

Needles At Work - Voted by Officials - Bruce Boland, Hamilton, ON

Parts Pro - Crew Chief of the Race Award - Terry Brown, Caledonia, ON

The Trailer Shop - Longest Tow Award – Freddy Jacobs, Utica, NY