In just his first year competing in the Pro Top Outlaw series Phil Esz captured his first championship.  The series, which is primarily raced at 1/8 mile tracks, fills the gap between bracket racing and Top Alcohol or Pro Mod.  It didn’t just happen overnight though, Esz has been in and out of various racing circuits since he was just 15 years old.  The manufacturers rep for engine rebuilding equipment went to 9 final rounds and won 6 races during the 2006 race season.

“In 2005 I decided I was going to make the switch from my 700 inch NOS Ford dragster to the BAE supercharged dragster.  I knew that we could go out and be competitive, but to win the championship in our first year is unbelievable,” said Esz.

Phil’s father, Mike, is the crew chief on the 2006 Spitzer dragster and the rest of the crew is all family and friends as well.  His mother Phyllis, girlfriend Lauren, and his “little helper” Tristan are also a large part of the Amelia, Ohio based operation.  The Team, which recorded career best 1/4 and 1/8 mile ETs of 6.02 at 226 MPH and 3.87 at 184 MPH during the 2006 season, also earned its second straight runner-up finish in the Edgewater Quick 8 Series.

“This was a really good year for the Team.  I couldn’t have done it without the help of a lot of people though.  Mike Spitzer (Spitzer Race Cars), Larry Snyder (Snyder Motorsports), and Jeff Fowler (Fowler Engines) helped make my switch to the supercharged car very successful this year and I really want to thank them for all their help.”

“I especially need to thank my father for all of his help preparing this great race car and my mother Phyllis and girlfriend Lauren for all of their support.  I am already looking forward to getting back out there in 2007!”