As expected, NHRA Pro Stock driver Kenny Koretsky will sit out the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill., this weekend.  The impact of his crash at Heartland Park Topeka Saturday left him with numerous bumps and bruises – and fellow drivers who don’t want him to miss a race.

“My body still hurts,” Koretsky said Thursday.  “I couldn’t race this weekend if I wanted to.  I felt pretty good Wednesday, but I’m getting around a little slower today.”

Even though the front end of his Indicom Electric/Nitro Fish Pontiac GXP needed to be replaced after whacking the guard wall, Koretsky would have had a car to race – if he could.  Drivers stepped up and volunteered cars, parts and pieces to racing partner Greg Hill and crew chief Eddie Guarnaccia.

“When something like this happens, it reinforces why I spend the money and do what I do (in drag racing),” Hill said.  “The day after his accident, we heard from a lot of drivers, and we want to thank them.  V Gaines, Max Naylor, Ron Krisher, Larry Morgan, Allen Johnson, Warren Johnson, John Woods, Justin Humphreys, Tom Hammonds and David Nickens all offered either cars, motors or whatever we needed to get ready for the Chicago race. 

“It was impressive.  The phone was ringing off the hook.  There were e-mails and guys stopping by the trailer Sunday offering stuff.  It was incredible.  They want the Captain (Koretsky’s nickname is Captain Chaos) back at the track.”

Koretsky said he was “overwhelmed by the number of drivers and teams that called and offered to help us.  We really appreciate it.  I told Eddie there’s no reason for us to rush into it. We’ll take our time to get ready for the Englishtown (N.J.) race (June 20-22).”

There was good news from car builder Jerry Bickel, who is repairing the damage.  “He’s replacing the front end and the car will be ready to go for Englishtown,” Koretsky said.  “That gives (team engine builder) Sonny Leonard more time to work on our motors.

“It’s important for us to be at Englishtown because that is one of our home tracks and we will have a lot of family and friends there. But unless we get time to test the car before then, I don’t want to race.  At the same time, I’m disappointed I can’t be with Greg and the Hill family this weekend at Route 66 Raceway, his hometown track." 

“Kenny’s health is more important than a race, so we want him to recover from his injuries and get back in the car,” commented Hill.  “We will get it ready to test next week before going to Englishtown.”