by The Press & Sun-Bulletin
Snowflakes, a snowman and a "Happy Holidays" message have dotted the Potrzebowski - McGuire Motorsports Website for the past several weeks. But make no mistake, the team is already thinking spring.
And with good reason.
The first season pairing Elmira-based driver T.J. Potrzebowski and Rome, Pa.-based owner Ed McGuire led to big things, with the team claiming the SST Modified title at Chemung Speedrome, and the overall SST Modified series championship.
But perhaps most notably, Potrzebowski became the first driver to win both the SST and full Modified Division races on the same Race of Champions weekend at Oswego Speedway.
"It was definitely a remarkable feat, just because (of) the competition on both nights," said Five Mile Point Speedway owner Andrew Harpell, who also owns the Race of Champions event, which debuted in 1951.
"Just to even complete 300 laps without a mechanical malfunction over two days in itself is a big feat. And then to win both races is pretty impressive."
Potrzebowski was in his own car for the Sunoco Race of Champions Modified event the second night, though he used a brand new engine from McGuire. The car owner wasn't around to see the second night celebration, though -- he was at a wedding.
"I heard the whole victory lane interview and everything by cell phone," McGuire said.
Now, the team is working to build a second SST Modified car for 2007.
A second car would allow the team to race regularly at Spencer Speedway on Friday nights, McGuire said, then come back with a fresh car Saturdays at Chemung Speedrome.
As for next year's Race of Champions event in Oswego?
Harpell said that will run Sept. 20-23.