Cassie simonton earns top alcohol funny car license

24-year old former Top Dragster champion to drive with Kon Rodz Racing in 2010
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Valdosta, Ga. – It’s been said by several experienced drag racers, driving a three-speed, 4,000 horse power, short wheel based Top Alcohol Funny Car is one of the most difficult cars to handle. For 24-year old Cassie Simonton, the new team driver of Spiro Kontos’ Barrie, Ont. based Kon Rodz Racing two-car TAFC team; it’s now her day job.

After months of planning, on-hands training and several shake-down runs behind the wheel of the Kon Rodz / Bullydog.com TAFC last season, Simonton recently earned her NHRA TAFC competition license after recording a solid 5.85 second elapsed time at over 200 miles per hour during a test session held in Valdosta, Ga.

For the former NHRA Division 5 Top Dragster Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event champion who lives in Lima, Ohio accomplishing this honor is an enormous step in achieving her professional racing goals.

“I have been waiting my whole life to hold that NHRA competition license which say’s NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver, Cassie Simonton,” noted the always up-beat college graduate of The University of Northwestern Ohio who received a bachelor’s degree in high performance technologies. “I can’t thank Spiro enough for the opportunity he has given to me. He has an enormous heart and it is a tremendous honor to be a part of his racing family. Knowing that I get to drive with my team-mate Jason McKnight in our second Kon Rodz Racing / Bullydog.com TAFC this year at a few races is a distinguished honor indeed.”

Simonton has been working with the Kon Rodz team driving instructor and advisor, Laurie Cannister, a two-time IHRA champion in her own right. And for Simonton, the council and teaching which Cannister has given her has been instrumental in learning to drive the wild handling flopper. “Laurie is an amazing driver herself with several race wins and series championships. She knew what type of issues I would have learning to drive this car and has an amazing ability to articulate them to me. I feel so privileged to have learned from her and I know the more runs I make, she will be by my side helping me every step of the way.”

Simonton is scheduled to make her competition debut at the Division 3 LODRS event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park in Clermont, Ind. April 23rd-25th. Until then, she will be making thousands of runs down the virtual quarter-mile in her head to prepare for her first side-by-side race.