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TORONTO (April 13) -- In his short time competing in the JEGS ProMod Challenge, Raymond Commisso already has proven to be a contender for every race title. His four runner-up finishes in 12 race-day starts has helped him establish an enviable 64-percent winning ratio in eliminations and his 21 round wins rank him 10th on the all-time list.
Currently third in the JEGS points, the driver of the ProCare Rx Pontiac Firebird is considered by many to be a bona fide threat for the 2008 Pro Mod title. With former driver Al Billes tuning his 526 Hemi and crew chief Ralph Andreacchi calling the shots, this could very well be Commisso's breakout year.
The Canadian restaurateur had his first victory in hand at the 2008 season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. After a first-round bye, the 37-year-old Commisso recorded both his career-best elapsed time (5.935) and top speed (247.34 mph) in consecutive wins over top guns Tony Pontieri and Jay Payne.
He entered the money round as the clear favorite over surprise finalist Joe Baker and was zooming away for the win after Baker shook his tires and basically gave up near the starting line. But unaware of Baker's problems, Commisso stayed in the throttle and got out of shape near the top-end, giving away the sure win when he tagged the retaining wall just before the finish line.
At race two in Houston, Commisso and company flexed their horsepower again, qualifying No. 2 before an unlikely opening-round red light sent him home early.
By the time he gets to Atlanta at the start of May for the 28th annual NHRA Southern Nationals, Commisso will have spent a month on the sidelines waiting for a chance to redeem himself. To say he's ready to race would be an understatement.
Q: After four runner-up finishes, including one this year, how anxious are you for your first NHRA win?
Commisso: It's like I am waiting for my first born child. We know we have all the pieces in place to win and we know it's just a matter of time before it happens, but it's still something you want to get in the books in the worse way. Once that first one happens, I think the gates will open and we'll be regular visitors to the winner's circle.
Q: What happened in Florida?
Commisso: In Florida the car started to drift towards the center line and I over-drove it and corrected too much. We don't have radios in the car, so my crew couldn't tell me how far ahead of Joe I was at the time. All I needed to do was lift and coast on through and I wouldn't have gotten near the wall. But I didn't know that Joe had shut-off and I was racing for the win so I stayed after it.
Q: Your winning percentage already is fourth-best in series history. To what do you attribute your great success?
Commisso: To Al Billes and his race program. The guy is very, very good at what he does.
Q: In your 20 years of racing, what was your best day at the track?
Commisso: The '07 IHRA Mopar Nationals in Great Bend. We had a brand-new car, owned by Roger Burgess, and our intention was to go there and just kind of test the car. It was a race that was close to home and we knew we would be on a good race surface. We managed to qualify 13th and ended up winning the race in front of all my friends and family. What a feeling!
Q: Al Billes is a multiple-event winner. Does he ever give you driving advice?
Commisso: Yes, every time I go down the track.
Q: Aside from Pro Mod, what is your favorite class? Why?
Commisso: It would have to be Outlaw Pro Mod. It's a class where you just go out there and see how fast you can go. The thrill is seeing how far you can push yourself. I also like Funny Car very much. It's just a cool class with all the horsepower you could ever dream about.
Q: Do you take great pride in representing Canadian racers here in the United States?
Commisso: Yes of course. I am so proud of my country.
Q: What's the name of your restaurant?
Commisso: It's called Dimmi Bar and Trattoria (Dimmi Bar & Trattoria in Yorkville, Toronto). It's in Toronto.
Q: What's the best thing on the menu?
Commisso: There're too many things to list. It's all great, of course.
Q: Do you ever throw on an apron and cook yourself?
Commisso: Only when I have to. We have some great chefs and I leave that part to them.
Q: What are your goals for the 2008 JEGS ProMod Challenge?
Commisso: To try and finish in the top three, and to get that first win!
Commisso Ready to Race
TORONTO (April 13) -- In his short time competing in the JEGS ProMod Challenge, Raymond Commisso already has proven to be a contender for every race title. His four runner-up finishes in 12 race-day starts has helped him establish an enviable 64-percent winning ratio in eliminations and his 21 round wins rank him 10th on the all-time list.
Currently third in the JEGS points, the driver of the ProCare Rx Pontiac Firebird is considered by many to be a bona fide threat for the 2008 Pro Mod title. With former driver Al Billes tuning his 526 Hemi and crew chief Ralph Andreacchi calling the shots, this could very well be Commisso's breakout year.
The Canadian restaurateur had his first victory in hand at the 2008 season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. After a first-round bye, the 37-year-old Commisso recorded both his career-best elapsed time (5.935) and top speed (247.34 mph) in consecutive wins over top guns Tony Pontieri and Jay Payne.
He entered the money round as the clear favorite over surprise finalist Joe Baker and was zooming away for the win after Baker shook his tires and basically gave up near the starting line. But unaware of Baker's problems, Commisso stayed in the throttle and got out of shape near the top-end, giving away the sure win when he tagged the retaining wall just before the finish line.
At race two in Houston, Commisso and company flexed their horsepower again, qualifying No. 2 before an unlikely opening-round red light sent him home early.
By the time he gets to Atlanta at the start of May for the 28th annual NHRA Southern Nationals, Commisso will have spent a month on the sidelines waiting for a chance to redeem himself. To say he's ready to race would be an understatement.
Q: After four runner-up finishes, including one this year, how anxious are you for your first NHRA win?
Commisso: It's like I am waiting for my first born child. We know we have all the pieces in place to win and we know it's just a matter of time before it happens, but it's still something you want to get in the books in the worse way. Once that first one happens, I think the gates will open and we'll be regular visitors to the winner's circle.
Q: What happened in Florida?
Commisso: In Florida the car started to drift towards the center line and I over-drove it and corrected too much. We don't have radios in the car, so my crew couldn't tell me how far ahead of Joe I was at the time. All I needed to do was lift and coast on through and I wouldn't have gotten near the wall. But I didn't know that Joe had shut-off and I was racing for the win so I stayed after it.
Q: Your winning percentage already is fourth-best in series history. To what do you attribute your great success?
Commisso: To Al Billes and his race program. The guy is very, very good at what he does.
Q: In your 20 years of racing, what was your best day at the track?
Commisso: The '07 IHRA Mopar Nationals in Great Bend. We had a brand-new car, owned by Roger Burgess, and our intention was to go there and just kind of test the car. It was a race that was close to home and we knew we would be on a good race surface. We managed to qualify 13th and ended up winning the race in front of all my friends and family. What a feeling!
Q: Al Billes is a multiple-event winner. Does he ever give you driving advice?
Commisso: Yes, every time I go down the track.
Q: Aside from Pro Mod, what is your favorite class? Why?
Commisso: It would have to be Outlaw Pro Mod. It's a class where you just go out there and see how fast you can go. The thrill is seeing how far you can push yourself. I also like Funny Car very much. It's just a cool class with all the horsepower you could ever dream about.
Q: Do you take great pride in representing Canadian racers here in the United States?
Commisso: Yes of course. I am so proud of my country.
Q: What's the name of your restaurant?
Commisso: It's called Dimmi Bar and Trattoria (Dimmi Bar & Trattoria in Yorkville, Toronto). It's in Toronto.
Q: What's the best thing on the menu?
Commisso: There're too many things to list. It's all great, of course.
Q: Do you ever throw on an apron and cook yourself?
Commisso: Only when I have to. We have some great chefs and I leave that part to them.
Q: What are your goals for the 2008 JEGS ProMod Challenge?
Commisso: To try and finish in the top three, and to get that first win!
