O'NEILL RETURNS TO IHRA TOP FUEL COMPETITION
Fri, 2008-10-17 09:00
2007 IHRA Rookie of the Year Jeff O’Neill will make his first Top Fuel
appearance of the 2008 campaign at this weekend’s IHRA World Finals in
Rockingham, NC. O’Neill, who piloted Bruce Litton’s second entry to a
string of successful outings in 2007 (including a runner-up finish in
his first IHRA event and a 6th place finish in the season long World
Championship points standings), was sidelined for the season when the
team was unable to secure the necessary funding to compete in 2008.
For the IHRA World Finals this weekend, O’Neill has agreed to a one-race deal with Sipple Family Racing. Sponsorship for the event will come from Numidia Dragway.
“I’m so excited to get back in the seat of a Top Fuel car,” exclaimed O’Neill. “Last season was like a dream--getting affiliated with Bruce Litton and his entire team; then having immediate success in Top Fuel, and consistently having a competitive car all season. It all happened so quickly and everything just fell into place. This season we haven’t had the same opportunities, and I’ve gotten to see the other side of it; the countless cold calls and dead ends that are part of the sponsorship search. It’s been frustrating, but I’ve learned a lot. We’re very close to inking a deal that will put me back in competition next season, and allow us to do so at a high level. I cannot wait to make that announcement!” 2007 IHRA Rookie of the Year Jeff O’Neill will make his first Top Fuel appearance of the 2008 campaign at this weekend’s IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, NC. O’Neill, who piloted Bruce Litton’s second entry to a string of successful outings in 2007 (including a runner-up finish in his first IHRA event and a 6th place finish in the season long World Championship points standings), was sidelined for the season when the team was unable to secure the necessary funding to compete in 2008.
For the IHRA World Finals this weekend, O’Neill has agreed to a one-race deal with Sipple Family Racing. Sponsorship for the event will come from Numidia Dragway.
“I’m so excited to get back in the seat of a Top Fuel car,” exclaimed O’Neill. “Last season was like a dream--getting affiliated with Bruce Litton and his entire team; then having immediate success in Top Fuel, and consistently having a competitive car all season. It all happened so quickly and everything just fell into place. This season we haven’t had the same opportunities, and I’ve gotten to see the other side of it; the countless cold calls and dead ends that are part of the sponsorship search. It’s been frustrating, but I’ve learned a lot. We’re very close to inking a deal that will put me back in competition next season, and allow us to do so at a high level. I cannot wait to make that announcement!”
“This weekend, I’m thrilled to get back in the seat, and to be able to team with the Sipple family. Doc and Mike Sipple along with their entire team are a class act, and I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to race for them. Plus, Richard Hartman, Nicky Boninfante, and Mike Wolfarth who were so instrumental in my success last season, have agreed to help out (crew chief) Mike Sipple for the weekend. With four great minds working together there is no doubt I’ll have a competitive ride.”
Numida Dragway, an NHRA sanctioned racing facility in Numidia, PA is the weekend sponsor for the World Finals. Since taking over ownership, the Dimino family (Bob and Angela, along with their four children; Danielle, Alphonse, Robert, Jr., and Vinny) have made significant improvements to the facility. In the last year alone, the family has purchased new concrete retaining walls for the length of the race track, a new fiber optic timing system (the first of it’s kind in Division 1), u pdated fire and rescue equipment (including the “jaws of life”), a jet dryer, and a new playground for children.
“I can’t say enough about the Dimino family and Numidia Dragway,” expressed O’Neill. “Numidia is a home track to me, and they’ve done so much for the facility over the last few years. Each member of the family is involved in the day-to-day operations of the track, and you can really see the effort they’ve put in to creating a clean, fun, family atmosphere.”
Numidia Dragway plays host to several big events each season, including a NHRA Division 1 National Open, an All Harley Drags event, and several big money bracket races for both Super Pro and Footbrake competitors.
In addition to the Sipple family and Numidia Dragway, O’Neill also wished to express thanks to his parents for their continued support, as well as Bruce Litton and the entire Litton Motorsports team for helping to put O’Neill and Sipple together for the event.
“My boss and my good friend Bruce Litton has an opportunity to win his second IHRA World Championship this weekend. He has to win the event, and he has to have a little help; so I’d sure like to have a hand in helping him come from behind to secure the title.”
For the IHRA World Finals this weekend, O’Neill has agreed to a one-race deal with Sipple Family Racing. Sponsorship for the event will come from Numidia Dragway.
“I’m so excited to get back in the seat of a Top Fuel car,” exclaimed O’Neill. “Last season was like a dream--getting affiliated with Bruce Litton and his entire team; then having immediate success in Top Fuel, and consistently having a competitive car all season. It all happened so quickly and everything just fell into place. This season we haven’t had the same opportunities, and I’ve gotten to see the other side of it; the countless cold calls and dead ends that are part of the sponsorship search. It’s been frustrating, but I’ve learned a lot. We’re very close to inking a deal that will put me back in competition next season, and allow us to do so at a high level. I cannot wait to make that announcement!” 2007 IHRA Rookie of the Year Jeff O’Neill will make his first Top Fuel appearance of the 2008 campaign at this weekend’s IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, NC. O’Neill, who piloted Bruce Litton’s second entry to a string of successful outings in 2007 (including a runner-up finish in his first IHRA event and a 6th place finish in the season long World Championship points standings), was sidelined for the season when the team was unable to secure the necessary funding to compete in 2008.
For the IHRA World Finals this weekend, O’Neill has agreed to a one-race deal with Sipple Family Racing. Sponsorship for the event will come from Numidia Dragway.
“I’m so excited to get back in the seat of a Top Fuel car,” exclaimed O’Neill. “Last season was like a dream--getting affiliated with Bruce Litton and his entire team; then having immediate success in Top Fuel, and consistently having a competitive car all season. It all happened so quickly and everything just fell into place. This season we haven’t had the same opportunities, and I’ve gotten to see the other side of it; the countless cold calls and dead ends that are part of the sponsorship search. It’s been frustrating, but I’ve learned a lot. We’re very close to inking a deal that will put me back in competition next season, and allow us to do so at a high level. I cannot wait to make that announcement!”
“This weekend, I’m thrilled to get back in the seat, and to be able to team with the Sipple family. Doc and Mike Sipple along with their entire team are a class act, and I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to race for them. Plus, Richard Hartman, Nicky Boninfante, and Mike Wolfarth who were so instrumental in my success last season, have agreed to help out (crew chief) Mike Sipple for the weekend. With four great minds working together there is no doubt I’ll have a competitive ride.”
Numida Dragway, an NHRA sanctioned racing facility in Numidia, PA is the weekend sponsor for the World Finals. Since taking over ownership, the Dimino family (Bob and Angela, along with their four children; Danielle, Alphonse, Robert, Jr., and Vinny) have made significant improvements to the facility. In the last year alone, the family has purchased new concrete retaining walls for the length of the race track, a new fiber optic timing system (the first of it’s kind in Division 1), u pdated fire and rescue equipment (including the “jaws of life”), a jet dryer, and a new playground for children.
“I can’t say enough about the Dimino family and Numidia Dragway,” expressed O’Neill. “Numidia is a home track to me, and they’ve done so much for the facility over the last few years. Each member of the family is involved in the day-to-day operations of the track, and you can really see the effort they’ve put in to creating a clean, fun, family atmosphere.”
Numidia Dragway plays host to several big events each season, including a NHRA Division 1 National Open, an All Harley Drags event, and several big money bracket races for both Super Pro and Footbrake competitors.
In addition to the Sipple family and Numidia Dragway, O’Neill also wished to express thanks to his parents for their continued support, as well as Bruce Litton and the entire Litton Motorsports team for helping to put O’Neill and Sipple together for the event.
“My boss and my good friend Bruce Litton has an opportunity to win his second IHRA World Championship this weekend. He has to win the event, and he has to have a little help; so I’d sure like to have a hand in helping him come from behind to secure the title.”
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