He’s been racing a long time, and has returned to quarter-mile action after taking some time away from the sport.
 
Driving his 1957 Chevy in the new Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Paul Martin said he is looking forward to the six-race series which began May 15-17 at Cayuga Dragway.
 
“This deal is real sweet,” he said. “It will be great with no travel involved and a group of high-caliber guys to race with.”
 
Qualifying his Shoebox Chevy eighth in the 12-car field on the doorcar side of the series, Martin went to the second round in the opening event. After this first of six events for 2009, he is sixth in points.

Driver of 1957 blown Chevy back competing in new Quick 32 Sportsman Series
 
He’s been racing a long time, and has returned to quarter-mile action after taking some time away from the sport.
 
Driving his 1957 Chevy in the new Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Paul Martin said he is looking forward to the six-race series which began May 15-17 at Cayuga Dragway.
 
“This deal is real sweet,” he said. “It will be great with no travel involved and a group of high-caliber guys to race with.”
 
Qualifying his Shoebox Chevy eighth in the 12-car field on the doorcar side of the series, Martin went to the second round in the opening event. After this first of six events for 2009, he is sixth in points.
 
A former oval track racer, Martin said he went to the former drag strip at Georgetown in the late 1960s. The Pro Stocks were racing there, and after watching teams like Sox and Martin and other early proponents of the class, he decided to park his Chevelle Super Late Model and go drag racing.
 
“I was amazed with the drag cars,” he said. “I said at the time that this is what I’m going to be doing.”
 
So through the years Martin went from Bracket racers to an Altered in the mid-1980s to a big-block Chevette in the early 1990s. He got the ‘57 in 2004, and raced a great deal with the Supercharged Thunder group.
 
But he said he is going to concentrate on the Quick 32 for 2009. And a family member helped him decide.
 
As the father-in-law of well-known drag racer Scott Wildgust, Martin said Wildgust used him for a sounding board about the possibility of a new series.
 
“Scott filled me in on what was going on, and asked if I’d be interested. I thought it was a great idea.”
 
Martin drives one of two 1957 Chevy two-door racing sedans produced, and his has a three-inch chopped roof. All other Shoebox Chevy race cars are two-door hardtops, and Martin’s blue ’57 really stands out. A 510-cubic inch Chevy sits under in the frame of the Jerry Bickel Race Cars product, and utilizes a Kobelco supercharger and Enderle fuel system. Behind the engine is a Bruno Automotive Lenco unit.
 
The car is owned by the Martins, Paul, Sandy, and Steven, and the family receives help from crew chief Matt Shantz along with his brothers Andrew and Dan Shantz. John and Carol Rosinski also crew with the team. Major sponsorship comes from Trimark Transmissions Inc.
 
Martin said after four years in the Supercharged Thunder touring group and some IHRA national events, he parked the car in 2008, but added he was ready when the Quick 32 became reality.
 
“I love this sport,” he said. “I really enjoy this sport. It’s a great tool for enjoying yourself.”
 
He also mentioned that the competitors will become an important part of the series.
 
“This series will grow,” he continued. “And there’s going to be a great camaraderie with the teams. It’s going to be great.” 

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