Vinny Budano scores Atlanta win, NMCA point battle tightens
<p style="width:300px;float:right;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii284/writevan/Vin1.jpg"
<br><font color="Navy">Vinny Budano hopes to make a late season charge for his 4th consecutive NMCA Pro Street Championship, as the series makes a final stop in Memphis on October 9-12. </font>
<p>(9-30-08)New York City, NY - Three-time reigning NMCA Pro Street Champion, Vinny Budano, found just the spark he was looking for last week in Georgia. After holding his own for much of the season, Budano, driver of the Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises 68 Camaro, has officially launched a late-season charge for the NMCA Championship. Chasing point leader Mark Micke has been a daunting task this year, but Team Shafiroff managed to gain a little ground last week at the NMCA Nationals, held at Atlanta Dragway on September 19-21. Budano won rounds that were crucial, eventually stopping fellow New Yorker, Chris Rini, in the finals. Budano recorded a winning elapsed time of 6.35 @ 221 mph. Runner-up time for Rini, 6.47 @ 214 mph.
Pro Street Point leader, Mark Micke, gave up a few rounds to Budano in Atlanta, the result of a semi-final loss to Chris Rini. Budano's win in Atlanta allowed the New York competitor to inch closer to Micke for pretty much the first time all season. "Mark is a great racer who's been in the finals at every event until the Atlanta race," commented Budano.
The 2008 season has been a roller coaster year for Team Shafiroff. In addition to Budano's 3 NMCA event wins this season, also came the nightmare first round red light in Bradenton, followed by some very uncharacteristic tire shake in Joliet. Every time the season began to dim, however, Budano would rally back with a win at the following event. And now, with only a single event remaining, Budano finds himself within striking distance for the championship. "We're going to Memphis next month to try to run a big number in qualifying, and after that if we can get the stars and planets to line up for us, we may just be able to pull off this comeback," says Budano.
Back at the shop, Scott Shafiroff is noticeably more excited than he's been in months, but he's careful not to derail the mission. "Scott was a very successful racer himself, so he's good about bringing a calming effect to the table, rather than one of unnecessary pressure," stated Budano. As the team sets their sights on winning a staggering 4th consecutive championship, an unmistakable element of solidarity is in the air at Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises as the team readies itself for an all out war in Memphis, site of the NMCA World Finals slated for October 9-12. In the 20 year history of the NMCA, Vinny Budano is the organization's only 3-time series champion.
Even though Budano's focus is securely placed on winning the NMCA Pro Street Championship, the upcoming Shakedown at E-Town this weekend has proven too specacular to pass up. "This thing is shaping up to be something incredible, and it's in our own backyard at our home track," said Budano. "David Hance has done a super job promoting this race, the only trouble is I don't know what I want to do more, race or watch," laughed Budano. "I'm very much looking forward to getting together with friends this weekend."
For more information about Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises, please visit: Shafiroff Chevrolet Drag Racing Engines and Ultrastreet High Performance Crate Engines
Team Shafiroff wishes to thank:
Book Carburetors
CFE Cylinder Heads
Comp Cams
Jesel
Joe Gibbs Racing Oil
Lenco
Manley
Moroso
MSD Ignition
Ross Pistons
Speedtech Nitrous
T&D Machine
Tim McAmis Race Cars
VP Fuels
Photo courtesy of NMCA, story by:Van Abernethy Press Releases
<p style="width:300px;float:right;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii284/writevan/Vin1.jpg"
<br><font color="Navy">Vinny Budano hopes to make a late season charge for his 4th consecutive NMCA Pro Street Championship, as the series makes a final stop in Memphis on October 9-12. </font>
<p>(9-30-08)New York City, NY - Three-time reigning NMCA Pro Street Champion, Vinny Budano, found just the spark he was looking for last week in Georgia. After holding his own for much of the season, Budano, driver of the Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises 68 Camaro, has officially launched a late-season charge for the NMCA Championship. Chasing point leader Mark Micke has been a daunting task this year, but Team Shafiroff managed to gain a little ground last week at the NMCA Nationals, held at Atlanta Dragway on September 19-21. Budano won rounds that were crucial, eventually stopping fellow New Yorker, Chris Rini, in the finals. Budano recorded a winning elapsed time of 6.35 @ 221 mph. Runner-up time for Rini, 6.47 @ 214 mph.
Pro Street Point leader, Mark Micke, gave up a few rounds to Budano in Atlanta, the result of a semi-final loss to Chris Rini. Budano's win in Atlanta allowed the New York competitor to inch closer to Micke for pretty much the first time all season. "Mark is a great racer who's been in the finals at every event until the Atlanta race," commented Budano.
The 2008 season has been a roller coaster year for Team Shafiroff. In addition to Budano's 3 NMCA event wins this season, also came the nightmare first round red light in Bradenton, followed by some very uncharacteristic tire shake in Joliet. Every time the season began to dim, however, Budano would rally back with a win at the following event. And now, with only a single event remaining, Budano finds himself within striking distance for the championship. "We're going to Memphis next month to try to run a big number in qualifying, and after that if we can get the stars and planets to line up for us, we may just be able to pull off this comeback," says Budano.
Back at the shop, Scott Shafiroff is noticeably more excited than he's been in months, but he's careful not to derail the mission. "Scott was a very successful racer himself, so he's good about bringing a calming effect to the table, rather than one of unnecessary pressure," stated Budano. As the team sets their sights on winning a staggering 4th consecutive championship, an unmistakable element of solidarity is in the air at Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises as the team readies itself for an all out war in Memphis, site of the NMCA World Finals slated for October 9-12. In the 20 year history of the NMCA, Vinny Budano is the organization's only 3-time series champion.
Even though Budano's focus is securely placed on winning the NMCA Pro Street Championship, the upcoming Shakedown at E-Town this weekend has proven too specacular to pass up. "This thing is shaping up to be something incredible, and it's in our own backyard at our home track," said Budano. "David Hance has done a super job promoting this race, the only trouble is I don't know what I want to do more, race or watch," laughed Budano. "I'm very much looking forward to getting together with friends this weekend."
For more information about Scott Shafiroff Racing Enterprises, please visit: Shafiroff Chevrolet Drag Racing Engines and Ultrastreet High Performance Crate Engines
Team Shafiroff wishes to thank:
Book Carburetors
CFE Cylinder Heads
Comp Cams
Jesel
Joe Gibbs Racing Oil
Lenco
Manley
Moroso
MSD Ignition
Ross Pistons
Speedtech Nitrous
T&D Machine
Tim McAmis Race Cars
VP Fuels
Photo courtesy of NMCA, story by:Van Abernethy Press Releases
