10.06.08 Kot to Victory Lane
The second Marko Radiator race was won in dominant fashion by Jeff Kot who earned his first career checkered flag with the ATQMRA by outdistancing hard charging Matt Roselli, Zack Martini, Paul Lotier Jr., Mike Tidaback, Frank Fischer, Robin Johnston, Joey Paine III, and JR Fitzpatrick
Jeff Kot went from the pole in the Marko Radiator ATQMRA King of the Mountain feature event. Kot moved out to a commanding lead across the first ten laps and appeared to be the class of the field when a wing failure dropped him to a fourth place finish.
Winning in open wheel in only a handful of starts in his rookie season has been a big accomplishment. Taking the checkers in the touring trucks, and stock cars had Jeff wanting to do the same with the winged car. Jeff had no practice laps at all, the #95 was having problems keeping the mototor running. Fianlly the problem was traced back to a faulty switch. Jeff credits Lou Ciconni Sr and Don for their help and getting him out onto the track in time to race. With a guess at the setup, Jeff's crew chief Big Willy was hoping the motor issue was solved and was sure the car would be fast. The #95 was untouchable until the the wing failed, a car hadn't been near him all day.
Check back later this week for race video and on board camera video.
Marko Radiator ATQMRA Feature 1 51 Donnie Adams 2 3 5Ryan Tidman 3 1B Paul Lotier Jr 4 95 Jeff Kot 5 46 Zack Martini 6 39 Alison Cummens 7 43 Mike Tidaback 8 29 Matthew Janisch 9 26 Frank Fischer 10 19 Matthew Roselli 11 79 Ian Cummens 12 94 Lucas Smith 13 12 Richie Coy 14 66P Joey Paine III 15 04 Rudy Botticher 16 49 Daniel Bois 17 13 Robin Johnston DNS 18 96 Tim Behmer 19 84 JR Fitzpatrick 20 4 Scott Campbell 21 66 Lou Cicconi 22 69 Dave Williams
9.7.08 Motor Problems for #95
The #95 TYPHOON digital studio has had motor problems two weeks in a row. After being the fastest car in practice at Chemung, NY the motor expired before the racing began giving Jeff his first DNS of the season. More problems awaited the #95 at Mountain Speedway in PA. Qualifying had Kot on the pole but problems in the 3rd cylinder forced Jeff to drop out of the race and the car was done for the day. The team heads to Waterford, CT for the September 13 show, where Kot had a lot of success in the touring trucks.
8.23.08 Great Run Turns Bad
The #95 TYPHOON digital studio entry only ran one practice session and was set for qualifying. Kot came from the rear of the field in the short qualifying race barely missing 2nd place. He would start the feature in 10 starting position. As soon as the race started Kot was tearing through the field. By lap 5 Kot was into 4th position and looking to take over 3rd when, on the 6th lap Kot got spun coming out of turn four and shot to the infield of the track The car darted back onto the speedway when he was hit by a few cars ending his run early. "A red flag came out on lap five for a multi car tangle that took out top points contenders Chris "Tyro" Deritis and Ryan Tidman, Jeff Kot, and Tim Proctor" Substancial damage kept Kot from returning. The next race will be in New York.
7.26.08 Another Top 10 finish
Jeff came through the field pretty fast in eight laps to finish 3rd in the qualifying race, securing him into a qualifying position for the feature. July 26 was Fan Appreciation Night which gave fans a chance to meet the drivers on the track and see the cars up close. It also gave them the opportunity to get photos and autographs. Once the track was cleared and the National Anthem was done the command to start the engines was given. As soon as the green flag came out, the outside line Kot was in didn't accelerate and cars started passing the #95 on the inside. Jeff finally got down around the slower cars and started picking his way back to the front. After a few caution flags, Kot made some passes in the last laps that secured him yet another top ten finish. Jeff has only finished one time this season out of the top ten.
7.12.08 Top 5 finish
Double features were run on Saturday July 12. In Formula One style qualifying Jeff was 2nd fast in his heat. During the first feature Kot had worked his way up through the field before the 3rd place #26 Spitfire entry lost a motor soaking the track in oil. Kot spun in the fluid and had to restart last. With two laps to go there was no chance for the finish he had going. Jeff passed a few cars in the final 2 laps and wound up 12th. In the second feature, the green flag waved and by turn one Kot had passed two cars and had taken the lead and opened up a two car break away of about 10 car lengths on the field. The second place car bounced off the turn four wall bringing out a caution. Once the field was tightened up again current NEMA points leader got by Kot on the inside as Kot battled a tight race car and as the laps clicked by Jeff finished 5th. In only his 8th start in open wheel cars Kot was pleased with returning to the front of the pack and leading laps. He's in position for a win.
6.7.08 Team TYPHOON strong in 08
The open wheel season has started off well for the 95. Back to back top tens in a large field of competitors, the most cars to date. Kot only made it out for one practice session before the heat races where he finished 3rd in the qualifying race during the hot conditions at Mountain Speedway. The feature race was completed in a blistering 5 minutes as it went caution free. Kot came away with an 11th place finish.
5.5.08 Team TYPHOON to race Mountain, PA and Chemung Speedrome, NY
Team TYPHOON returns to the track coming off a dominating win at the now closed Wall Township Speedway. The repaved Mountain Speedway has seen the fastest racing to date. May 17,2008 the team heads to Chemung, NY to run at Geoff Bodine's Chemung Spedrome. This banked track will produce some fast lap times and close racing. Images and video will be posted of these events.
1.19.08 Kot Makes Elite Field In AC
All star event
Atlantic City, NJ - In only his second start at the famed Gambler's Classic, Jeffrey Kot achieved what many drivers never get a chance to: he qualified for the main event. 100 race cars registered for his class alone including such all-star names as Ken Schrader, Billy Pouch (Teammate), Lou Ciconni, Joey Pane and NASCAR development drivers, making qualifying for the A main a near-impossible feat. Accomplishing this in only his second year piloting an open wheel car makes the achievement even more extraordinary.
Friday night had the fastest 60 qualifiers face off in three separate qualifying races, The Roaring 20's. Kot started The Roaring 20's (20 laps) in the 18th starting postion. As soon as the green dropped the #95 Linblad Badger was on the move. With some dicey moves and racing on the edge of wrecking, Kot secured a 6th place finish, almost racing his way into the feature race in the first race of the weekend. The top four went to the A Main, so he would have to race in the B Main on Saturday night.
With last years B Main on his mind, when he was spun out on the last lap, Kot was focused on making the elite field and picked it up a notch. With the green flag waving Kot was avoiding wrecks and fighting off atempts to nudge him out of position. It wasn't happening this time. He out-classed a full field of all-star race car drivers all trying to make the Gambler's Classic. At the finish, Kot was solidly into the A Main feature event in only his second year in an open wheel car.
With a crowd that was sold-out weeks before, driver introduction started. 10,000 fans all cheering for their favorite drivers, Kot was introduced filling the fanovision screens. He entered the arena and acknowledged the fans and made his way to the #95. With all the cameras and pre-race activities making the front stretch look like a red carpet event, Kot was quickly into his car and ready to get this race started.
The crew chiefs got their drivers ready and left the track. With the command to start the engines, the feature event was about to start. Kot grabbed his belts one last time and buried the throttle from the 21st starting position. By lap 18 Kot had made his was into the top 10. Side by side with last year's winner, Kot wasn't letting him get away. Kot got to the inside of Payne and was ready to strike. A caution would have Jeff settling back into 10th again. Kot kept racing harder getting roughed up but giving it right back. The #95 was looking strong. The Jeff Kot fans knew the chances of battling for the win were well within reach. When the race restarted the front right tire of Kot's car had enough, so he quickly pulled off with a flat. His team changed it and he was back on the speedway. Kot came back out just as fast and moved up to the 15th position when the race ended.
"To race my way into this event and be right there for the win, I couldn't ask for more. I was running hard but still had more for them at the finish. Physically, lap 40 felt like lap 2 to me," Kot expressed.
Kot will now ready for the 2008 Hooters Pro Cup races and selected ATQMRA races.
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12.19.07 - NASCAR Nextel Cup driver enters event.
Ken Schrader will race.
Atlantic City, NJ - NASCAR Nextel Cup regular will be one of the 100 competitors in attendance for the Gambler's Classic 2008. Schrader has raced just about every race car there is. It doesn't matter if it's dirt or asphault, he is a strong competitor and will make his presence known. Stock car and open wheel driver, Jeff Kot, is looking forward to competing against Schrader. "He's one of the cleanest and most repected drivers in NASCAR. He will be tough to beat." Jeff is eager to get to racing at the event and has an extremely strong car ready for the task. "My team always gives me a car capable of winning, avoiding contact at this event is critical." There will be a list of other NASCAR drivers at the race show for an autograph session.
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11.13.07 - Kot Announces Atlantic City Entry
Jeff readies for Historic Gambler's Classic.
Atlantic City, NJ - Stock car and open wheel driver, Jeff Kot, announces plans to run in the 2008 Gambler's Classic. The event last year had 100 competitors in the lightning fast TQ's. Jeff turned his first laps ever at the event with a surprising top 20 qualifying position. Riding the qualifying high he narrowly missed winning the C main and ended up second. Starting last in the field in the B main Kot dropped the hammer hard and was up to the top transfer spot to the A main when, on the last lap he was spun out in turn 2. One lap from making the A main has him hungry for a return. He looks to battle the best drivers from different types of racing as they show up in Atlantic City, from all over the country and Canada. "I love the indoor racing and how physical it gets out there all in front of 10,000 people. Emotions run high."
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11.7.07 2008 Hooters Pro Cup Schedule Released
Jeff will be driving for a new team in a completely different car in 2008. Looking to gel with the new team, car and sponsor will be quite a challenge. A few of the tracks are NASCAR NEXTEL CUP sanctioned and Kot has excelled and won at those in the past so he is really looking forward to 2008.
Northern Division Schedule
Apr. 19 Sat. South Boston Speedway 0.4 South Boston, VA
May 31 Sat. Milwaukee Mile 1.0 West Allis, WI
June 14 Sat. Mansfield Motorsports Park 0.5 Mansfield, OH
June 28 Sat. Salem Speedway 0.555 Salem, IN
July 12 Sat. Motor Mile Speedway 0.416 Radford, VA
July 26 Sat. Jennerstown Speedway 0.522 Jennerstown, PA
Aug. 9 Sat. South Boston Speedway 0.4 South Boston, VA
Aug. 20 Wed. Bristol Motor Speedway 0.533 Bristol, TN
Aug. 30 Sat. Mansfield Motorsports Park 0.5 Mansfield, OH
Sept. 20 Sat. Iowa Speedway 0.875 Newton, IA
Oct. 18 Sat. USA Int’l Speedway 0.75 Lakeland, FL
Nov. 1 Sat. Rockingham Speedway 1.0 Rockingham, NC
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9.29.07 King of the Mountain
The King of the Mountain race had a full field of competitors, so many in fact that some would not qualify for the feature. Jeff was running fourth and solidly into the feature, in his qualifying race when the car in front of him braked going into turn three. Kot was already back on the gas and tapped the car infront of him that should have been accelerating by that point, Kot was driving hard to the checkers. They both spun on the last lap forcing them into a last chance heat race to try and make the feature. Kot was starting last. As soon as the green flag dropped Jeff was picking off cars quickly. Everyone knew they had to get into the top positions to transfer into the main race or load up and watch the race as a spectator. The race was exciting especially in turn three as the laps were winding down when Kot, riding the low line, passed three cars in one lap. The #95 Linblad-GSXR powered TQ was on the move 11th to 4th in 12 laps and solidly on his way to the feature race.
The feature was filled with hard wrecks, one tq flipped over and another driver was taken to the hospital. There were a lot of cautions, so many that Kot was worried the fuel wouldn't last until the end of the event. Starting in the back of the full field of cars Kot was once again on the move and avoiding all the wrecks. Moving up 10 positions by the time the checkers fell. The caution filled race had Kot passing the same cars multiple times before being givien the position. It was a strong day for him though and the car is really starting to run well.
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8.16.07 - Crash At Thompson Kills Driver
Blewett Brothers' Duel For Lead In Whelen Modified Event Turns Tragic
THOMPSON - A NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver was killed as a result of a crash during the New England Dodge Dealers 150 Thursday night at Thompson International Speedway, two sources said.
According to two sources at the track, John Blewett III, 33, died after a collision involving a car driven by his brother, Jimmy Blewett, 26. After the accident, John Blewett was taken by ambulance to Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster, Mass., where he was pronounced dead, sources said.
The accident took place at 9:48 p.m. as the Blewett brothers, both from Howell, N. J., were racing for the lead following a restart of the race on lap 107.
Jimmy's car ended up on top of John's car just beyond the apex of turns 1 and 2 on the 0.625-mile oval, and the fourth- place car of Woody Pitkat also was involved in the collision.
Jimmy Blewett exited his car immediately after the crash and began jumping and waving his hands frantically to get the attention of track safety workers. Safety crews rushed to the scene.
At least four state police cruisers were on scene less than 15 minutes later. By 10: 05 p.m., state police officers were measuring areas around the crash scene as crews worked to remove John Blewett from his car.
The crowd of about 8,000, most still in the frontstretch grandstands, was silent. All that could be heard around the track was the hum of gererator power on the midway outside of the frontstretch.
By that point, most of the drivers in the race, who had been stopped on the frontstrech after the wreck, had already gotten out of their cars and were congregating with crews in the infield area below turns 1 and 2.
At 10:12 p. m., John Blewett was removed from the car and moved to an ambulance that had been parked nearby.
An ashen-faced track official, walking back from the scene, said only, "It's bad."
At 10:20 p.m., the ambulance carrying John Blewett slowly drove away from the crash scene to pit exit road off the backstretch of the track and exited the track. At 10:33 both cars were being removed from the track.
Shortly after the cars were cleared away, track announcer Russ Dowd announced that the race was being stopped with 106 laps completed.
The brothers began an aggressive battle for the lead on lap 89.
Jimmy was leading on a lap 89 restart when John moved to second behind him. The two made contact for the first time on lap 90 in turn 4. On lap 93, John went by Jimmy for the lead in turn 2, only to give way to a move by Jimmy in turn 4.
John went back by for the lead again before the caution flew on lap 94. After a restart on lap 98, Jimmy went back to the front before another caution on lap 100.
On the ensuing restart on lap 107, Jimmy got sideways coming to the green and the two crisscrossed down the front, with John going to the low lane into turn 1. In the corner Jimmy got loose, coming down into his brother. During the contact between the two, Jimmy's car ended on top of John's.
John Blewett III had competed on the Modified Tour since 1995. Thursday's event was his 164th career start. He had 10 career victories in the division.
Jimmy has raced in the division since 2004 and was making his 36th career start. He has two wins in the division.
It was at this same event on Aug. 19, 2004, that driver Tom Baldwin of Freeport, N. Y., was killed after his car slid into a light standard in the infield during a wreck. Baldwin was the last driver killed at the track and the last Modified driver killed in an event.
Both brothers also competed in Thompson's weekly SK Modified division and were involved together in an accident on a restart early in the event.
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I ran a lot of the tracks John did and I remember seeing him at Flemington when I first started racing and wondering who was driving that car. One of my favorites to watch. I think I speak for everyone when I say we'll miss him in the pits and on the track.
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5.6.07 - Thunder at the Shore Race Report
The weekend started off with Kot fast first time at the speedway in the open wheel car. Since Kot is still considered a rookie in this series, no matter where he qualifies Jeff starts last in qualifying and feature events. Starting last in qualifying wasn't a problem, with Kot working his way up to third when the checkers dropped. Lining up in the back for the feature Kot laid back waiting for contact and another big wreck that took him out of contention on 4.21.07. A car spun exiting turn four, Kot saw an opening and went for the pass on the high side when another car moved up the speedway into the wheels of the #95 Linblad-GSXR which caused Kot to get airborne with the throttle matted. Kot went head on into the turn four wall destroying his car and the race was red flagged. Emergency personal worked on getting Kot out, the crushed frame made it difficult. Kot was then transported to Jersey Medical Center and released with cuts and bad bruising.
Kot will be racing again shortly and after a few weeks off will be back one hundred percent.
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4.21.07 - Spring Fling 2007 Race Report
Kot runs fast laps in his first winged open wheel event. Hoping to qualify for the competitive event wasn't a problem after finishing 4th in the qualifying race. With a $10,000 total purse for the event on the line the drivers were all going as hard as possible. Unfortunately entering turn 3 of the first lap trouble found 11 of the competitors including Kot. Jeff was on the high side all the way up near the outside wall with a clear line around the huge wreck. One of the cars involved hit the #95 and sent him straight into the wall bending part of the frame and tearing up the car heavily. There wasn't a side of the car not damaged. Another car ended up on top of Jeff when it was all over. Kot was unable to continue and arrived back in the pits in an ambulance with the #95 returning on a wrecker.
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Atlantic City Race Report
Never turning a lap in an open wheel car before competing with some of the best drivers in racing was perfect, considering the event was in Atlantic City. The historic Gamblers Classic in front of a sold out crowd of 10,000 people. What better place to gamble and go for it. The team acquired the TQ shortly before the event, but the car has a strong resume. Winning multiple championships, there was no question that this car from Robinsville, NJ was the car to go to AC with. Waiting for racing to start in the spring was too long.
Thursday the car unloaded fast, (these cars are as fast as a big block modified), after putting a little more gear into it the car was set. The team nailed the set up. It was one of the few TQ's still carbureted challenging the new fuel injected engines. The TQ was extremely responsive and the car could go anywhere on the track. No trouble during practice and the TQ was passing a lot of cars. We were set for Friday qualifying. Teammate Billy Pauch was making some changes but was looking fast also, with over 600 wins what better driver on the team.
Qualifying was going quick, over 100 cars trying to make the show. First lap around was quick enough to place Jeff in the top 20 when qualifying was over. No need to run the "D main".
The Roaring 20's started with me right behind Pauch. When the green dropped there was a lot of banging and the caution flew pretty quick. Pauch was spun out and suffered major damage. Cars were flipping over and spinning throughout the race. Kot was smooth and was up to 4th before a wide open stuck throttle retired him from the event. He'd have to race his way into the event now.
Time for the "C Main", only the top two transfer on to the "B Main". It was all or nothing in this race. Before long Jeff was up to third and pressuring hard for second. A lapped car got in the way, Kot negotiated it and moved into the transfer spot with the laps winding down, Jeff wasn't satisfied and was pushing the rear bumper of the front runner, looking to take the lead. With the checkers falling Kot was 2nd one of the only two to transfer to the "B Main". Unfortunately Billy Pauch didn't make the cut.
The "B Main" started right a way with no time to adjust the car. The previous race was a fight and the car was overheating. Luckily the team got it cooled in time to start in the back of the pack. Before long Kot made his way through the field and was running 8th. The top 10 transfered to the feature race with a chance at $5000. With two laps to go and still picking off veterans in front of him it looked like Jeff had raced his way into the feature. Then on the second to last lap Jeff was spun out by a car he passed cleanly on the front stretch. Taking them both out of the transfer positions.
The weekend was long and the competition was some of the toughest there is. But running up front and pressuring for the win and the strong qualifying run, Kot was pleased. The engine has since been pulled and redone for the '07 season with the fuel injection system. He plans on making a few appearances in the ATQMRA Series in conjunction with the Team TYPHOON USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. Kot is expecting to get approved for his NASCAR license this month and is registering to run some NASCAR BUSCH Series events as well.
