Tue, 29 Jan 2002, 05:25 PM Koretsky Forms Two-car Pro Stock Team with Richie Stevens

Courtesy of Mickey Schultz Valspar, Rally Wax and Snap-on Tools

RICHBORO, Pa. -- Kenny Koretsky, owner of Team Koretsky - KPK Motorsports, announced today the formation of a two-car Pro Stock team that will compete in the Pro Stock class on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Richie "The Kid" Stevens will handle the driving on one of the team's two Pontiac Grand Ams, with Koretsky behind the wheel of the second.

Team Koretsky has signed a primary marketing partnership with Valspar and a major associate marketing partnership with Snap-on Tools, which will enable Stevens to continue his long time association with the two companies.

Additionally, long time associate marketing partner Cyclo Industries will increase their program participation and become the primary marketing partner on the side of Koretsky's car through their Rally Wax brand.

Bucks County Kawasaki, Plaza Car Washes and Stevens Collision Center will continue with Team Koretsky as major associate marketing partners.

Stevens, 23, from New Orleans, who had an off year in 2001 when he finished 18th in the final Pro Stock point standings, will again compete in all 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events in pursuit of the 2002 Pro Stock championship. Stevens, with seven career final round appearances and four career wins, began racing Pro Stock cars in 1998 and has won at least one national event title in each of the four season he has competed. Stevens, a graduate of the NHRA Castrol GTX Jr. Dragster program, finished ninth in the 1998 point standings, fifth in '99 and seventh to start the new millennium.

Koretsky, 44, who ran a limited schedule in 2001 due to business commitments, plans to do the same in the upcoming year. Current plans call for the Richboro, Pa., driver to compete in approximately 15 national events. Koretsky has driven both Top Fuel and Pro Stock in a career that dates back to 1976. He is the answer to the trivia question: “Who was the first and only driver to qualify both a Top Fuel dragster and a Pro Stock car at the same national event?”. Koretsky accomplished the feat at the 1989 Phoenix national event. In addition to his racing enterprises, Koretsky is President and CEO of KPK Development, a real estate investment company.

Eddie Guarnaccia, Jr., will serve as team manager and be responsible for the overall preparation of both Pontiacs. Joe Cunningham and Tom Pierson become co-crew chiefs. Engine power will continued to be supplied by FIRE - - Frank Iaconio Racing Engines.

Team Koretsky will test this weekend (Feb.1-3) at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Then it's on to Pomona, Calif., for the opening event on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series - - the K&N Filters Winternationals (Feb. 7-10). Both Stevens and Koretsky will compete at Pomona.

KENNY KORETSKY: "This is the most exciting program that I've been associated with. To have companies like Valspar, Snap-on Tools and Rally Wax on the side of both Team Koretsky Pontiacs is the proverbial 'Dream come true.' I am also excited about having Richie Stevens join Team Koretsky. He is a proven driver and will lend much to the success of the team this season."

RICHIE STEVENS: "I'm glad to be coming back. We were kind of worried over the winter. We didn't know what we were going to do. We had no plans. We had no crew. Didn't know what we were going to do for motor work. Kenny called over the winter and things went from there. Now it seems we finally have everything put together.

"Valspar committed to return. It's good to see them return. They've been good to us over the last couple of years. We've got a close relationship with most of the guys in the company. The car will be done up in the familiar colors that everybody has seen in the past years.

"I'm looking forward to the year. Kenny (Koretsky) is a great guy. I got to know him a lot better over the last half of last year. In fact, Kenny borrowed our spare car after he had his wreck in Columbus. I'm looking forward to working with Kenny, Eddie Guarnaccia, Joe Cunningham and Tom Pierson. And I can't wait to test that Frank Iaconio engine power. "Based on what I've seen of Frank's engine we should be able to qualify in or near the top of the pack. I'll take anything that will get us in the field. That's a plus for me as I didn't do great last season.

"Getting started this late may have put us behind a little bit but we've got two cars that have had some runs on them. There're not brand new. So we know the cars are working. I know that I'm ready. I've been ready since the last time I stepped out of the car at the end of last season. Testing this weekend at Las Vegas will be a plus. I don't see us that far behind on anything.

"I just want to come back and have a good season. I've finished in the top ten (in points) every year but last year. That was a bummer, but you've got to suck it up and keep going. I'm going out there this year with a good head. I just want to go rounds every race. I want to keep my streak going of winning at least one race each season. I want to get into the top ten in points and get back to where I used to be. I'm looking for a good year with Kenny Koretsky."