by Carol Houssock
It seems as though TJ Potrzebowski has been a factor to be reckoned with for far longer than his 35 years would indicate. Sometimes that happens when you’re a tough competitor from the get-go.
TJ surrounds himself with cars – weekdays at this TJ’s Auto Sales in Elmira, NY and weekends at any one of several race tracks. He’s been racing for 16 years. And if there’s one thing you could bet your last dollar on, it’s that TJ will unload one of the sharpest looking, most competitive cars in the pits.
Over the winter he teamed up with Ed and Betty McGuire to run for the championship at Chemung in the SST Modified division. TJ also owns a competitive modified that he runs on the Sunoco Race of Champions Modified Tour. The McGuire/Potrzebowski Motorsports entry immediately commanded attention right out of the box, picking up the first 2 wins of the year at the Speedrome.
Growing up around racing, especially here at the Speedrome, provided some lasting memories for Potrzebowski. “I came here with my father (Terry) back in the old Chemung Speedrome days”, he explained. And, despite TJ’s many wins and nail-biting runs here at the new Speedrome, his favorite memory dates back to when he was just 7 years old. “I’ll never forget the times I raced my big wheel here. I won a race here in 1978, and that has stayed with me as my favorite Chemung memory.”
Potrzebowski surrounds himself with a supportive family and crew. His wife, Robin, and son, TJ, Jr., are always by his side. McGuire serves as crew chief and he’s assisted by Steve, Bud, Tracy, Brandon, Jay, Ray and Randy. Chris Snyder builds the power plant for their 2006 machine, and TJ said the following are his sponsors: McGuire’s Septic Service, Bishop Brothers Construction, Jubilee Foods, Comfort Zone Heating & Air Conditioning, Klopp’s Transmission, McCormick Auto Sales, TJ’s Auto Sales, Rich Powell Designs, Calaman’s Radiator, and Sherwood Racing Wheels.
Nicknamed “The Piranha”, TJ Potrzebowski has an aggressive appetite for winning. Piranha fish are known to be able to detect blood in miniscule amounts. Potrzebowski is known to sense just the right moment to make his move and eat up the competition. At Chemung this often means high-powered runs on the tough outside groove.
Next time you see TJ it should be obvious why Richie Evans was his racing hero. No, there will never be another Richie, but there will also never be another TJ.
He’ll just keep those big wheels movin’ toward the front in The Original Saturday Night Special.