Super Stock racer and U.S. Class Nationals organizer Alex Denysenko recently clinched his second career NHRA Div. 5 Super Stock championship.

“We had high expectations after a very dismal 2008,” Denysenko said. “Fresh equipment, finally a motorhome, and a good attitude had us all very upbeat hoping to repeat our 2004 division title.”

That’s how it looked on paper for Denysenko. Reality was another story.

“The first Pro Am at Martin about caused us to quit before we got started due to motorhome, trailer break downs, a poor working car, and only a single round win by Tony in two races out of three cars,” Denysenko said.

Super Stock racer and U.S. Class Nationals organizer Alex Denysenko recently clinched his second career NHRA Div. 5 Super Stock championship.

“We had high expectations after a very dismal 2008,” Denysenko said. “Fresh equipment, finally a motorhome, and a good attitude had us all very upbeat hoping to repeat our 2004 division title.”

That’s how it looked on paper for Denysenko. Reality was another story.

“The first Pro Am at Martin about caused us to quit before we got started due to motorhome, trailer break downs, a poor working car, and only a single round win by Tony in two races out of three cars,” Denysenko said.

Denysenko was ready to call it a season when he signed new sponsor National Parts Depot. The very next race he scored a runner-up at the Byron (Ill.) divisional event and won the Sports Nationals.

“Talk about a nice way to welcome a new to drag racing sponsor on board,” Denysenko said. “We could not have scripted it better and it gave us a renewed confidence. Middle age, experience and treachery over youth and exuberance became my mantra.”

By virtue of the revised IHRA championship format for 2009, Denysenko’s divisional title qualifies his team for a berth in the IHRA Tournament of Champions competition in October at Rockingham Dragway.

“We are looking forward to the race of champions,” Denysenko explained. “It gives everyone who qualifies a equal opportunity at winning the IHRA world championship.

“We would like to thank our sponsors Rick Schmidt National Parts Depot, Jim Paquet JPT Transmissions, Competition Tire Tom Bachman, Goodyear Carolyn Ashbee, Jim Kuntz Kuntz & Co., and Tim Wusz Rockett Racing Fuel.

“Also a special thanks to my lovely bride to be Beth and my son Tony for without their help and support none of this could have been possible.”
 

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