Stock Car Fantasy Re-Signs With ZTO Motorsports; "Z-Man" Wins Best Appearing Car Award
by Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

West Park, NY- Fred Perry from Stock Car Fantasy announced today he will continue to support the efforts of thirteen year old New York driving talent Zach O'Connell and his ZTO Motorsports Team throughout the 2008 racing season. Perry and his group selected O'Connell initally for the 2007 season as they saw the raw potential the young driving star has in place to go along with the maturity the young speedster has shown to his legions of racing fans in the short time he has spent behind the wheel of a race car. Perry was thrilled with his initial role in the partnership and looks for bigger and better things in 2008 as the "Z-Man" finds additional challenges ahead of him with his previously announced involvement of moving into the CSRA Sprint Car ranks for the 2008 racing season. In a recent phone conversation with Perry, he remarked, "Our partnership with ZTO Motorsports and Zach O'Connell has been all that we could have possibly hoped for. He is a bright young man, and although his career may be in the infancy stages, he has shown tremendous improvement at each and every event he has competed in. We at Stock Car Fantasy are happy to play a small part in the future of this outstanding young driving talent".

For the ZTO Motorsports Team, the new year has been nothing short of sensational. The team secured sponsorship help from the Port Ewen Athletic Association earlier in the year and now have received an additional shot in the arm with the Stock Car Fantasy Sponsorship returning for another year. In addition, the "Z-Man" has maintained his honor roll status throughout the current school year, an achievement that has his parents beaming with pride. The team secured another benchmark last month when the "Z-Man" and the ZTO Team were honored with an award for having the "Best Appearing Slingshot Car" on the National Slingshot Tour. The Banquet, which was held at the Holiday Inn in Grantville, Pennsylvania, added further testament to the dedication and full involvement of the entire racing team.

While the ZTO Team has their signature numbered 327 Slingshot locked, loaded and ready for action for the 2008 racing season, work on the new sprint car is just beginning. Through Team Manager Paul O'Connell, the team has begun to diligently prepare the 305 Sprint Car and have it ready for battle this coming year with the Capital Sprint Racing Association. (CSRA) With a great deal of help coming from regular CSRA wheelman "Captain Quick" Jeremy Quick, the team has embarked on a plan to assemble the sprint car and have it rip-roaring ready to go when the CSRA season rolls out on March 29th. While a few parts remain to be purchased, the assembly process is full gear an should be completed on time. The powerplant has been picked up from the engine shop and the the team is adding additional parts for the long-term rigors of sprint car racing. The battle-plan is to have the "Z-Man" gain some soft seat time in the car early on, become acclimated with the equipment and the new division he is entering, and when he until he feels comfortable, drop the hammer and set sail. The new series will be the first changes in equipment for the young speedster since the "Z-Man" began driving Slingshot race cars in the summer of 2006. Additionally, the team has added a new tow vehicle to theri racing program with the anticipated additional travel miles the team will be logging in 2008.

Plans for the ZTO Motorsports Team include a regular Wednesday night stop at the newly configured Accord Speedway when the Midweek Madness action commences during the first week in June. Additional Slingshot action will take place at the Hamlin Speedway on non-conflicting dates with the CSRA schedule. The CSRA Schedule will be paramount in regards to the amount of racing the ZTO Team is planning for 2008.

The "Z-Man" continues to excel in the classroom to go along with increasing on track skills. He has maintained Honor Roll status for every semester and has entered the 8th grade this year at the Highland Middle School, situated in Highland, New York. The Honor Roll status is part of an agreement worked out by his parents for the capacity to drive the race car. Zach will start his 5th year in the school band this year as he plays the jazz trumpet. Zach is heavily involved with the school newspaper, "The Blue Review" as an at-large reporter. He is also a member of the Ski Club and the Mile Club. Zach also competes in the Port Ewen Athletic Basketball Association. When not playing sports or completing his homework, the "Z-Man" likes to take the drive to the S&S Speedways to continuously hone his skills at racing, as he finds the more laps he runs indoors, the more adept he is becoming on the racetrack during the summer.

ZTO Motorsports would like to thank the great supporting cast of sponsors who have come on board with the relatively new racing team. The list includes, Apple Greens Golf Course, Lowes Home Improvement of Kingston, D&D NAPA of Highland, Stock Car Fantasy, John J Pezzo, CPA, P&Z Rental Management Inc, Northern Dutchess Archery, Trailer King, Frozen Rainbow, Jim Young Photography, Gross Graphics, Hig-Fab, Ulster Motorsports, Escopus Sportsman Club, Big Hick Wood, Fast Dirt Racing Promotions, Port Ewen Athletic Association, GA Motorsports Media, and Tri State Studios.

For further updates regarding Zach O'Connell and the ZTO Motorsports team, log onto their website at: www.zacharyoconnell.com