"Z-Man" Zach O'Connell Celebrates 14th Birthday With Racing Party At S&S Speedways
by Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

West Park, NY- New York driving talent Zach O'Connell made the most of the celebration of his 14th birthday party last Saturday as his ZTO Motorsports Team rented the S&S Speedways Indoor Track for a couple of hours to allow family and friends to test the unforgiving barriers and the tough competition assembled for the celebration. The party brought out some of the best Slingshot talents in the Northeast and the youngsters quickly adapted to the D-shaped Raceway and hustled their race cars through the paces to put on a great show for the fans in attendance. In addition to the "Z-Man", Kyle "Hot Rod" Rode, "The Tannersville Terror" Adam Brown, The "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner, "The Rocketman" Ryan Wood, Mark "The Spark" Berkenstock, Anthony Perrego, Justin Brewster, and Caitlin and Molly Chambers battled non-stop in a fun-filled morning of racing. Joining this great group of talent were veteran TV Hosts Ed and Steve Pados from CARQUEST Gasoline Alley, Art Shetlightner, (Z-Man's Grandfather) Bill Brewster and female competitors Lauren Wood, Amber Rohner along with racing moms Brenda O'Connell, Alleson Rode and Wendy Brewster. While the latter groups couldn't muster up the finesse to deal with the racing stars, the racing was fun and everyone walked out of the speedway with a smile on their face for their participation as the event.

In catching up with the "Z-Man" at the event, the young speedster was indeed a happy young man. Always the gentleman, he remarked, "This has been one of the best times ever. To celebrate with my friends and family has been an absolute blast. I want to thank my Mom, Dad and Grandparents for giving me a birthday I will remember for quite some time". He later added, "The racing was some of the best I have ever done here at S&S. The competition was side by side all day, and bumping....well the bumping is a given. I would rather have it happen here than during the season".

TV Host Ed Pados felt the youngsters were just too good out on the racetrack, and offered this statement. "Those young guys and girls really know how to race this track. My brother Steve and I unfortunately were deeply imbedded in the also-ran category. If we are going to try to compete in the future, we need to gain more seat time and perhaps come in a bit lighter for the next event". He further added, "No matter where I raced inside or outside, I was in the way. These young racing stars give a good indication the future of racing is in good hands, and I know that Steve and I were happy to be a part of the experience".

The "Z-Man" will find additional challenges ahead of him once the season begins as in addition to his Slingshot racing the young racer will be moving into the 305 Sprint cars once the season gets underway.
While the ZTO Team has their signature numbered 327 Slingshot locked, loaded and ready for action for the 2008 racing season, the new sprint car program is still being discussed. Team Manager Paul O'Connell has been busy assembling the car and in the process being educated with what sprint car racing is all about. The team is hoping to have the car ready to go shortly to enable the "Z-Man" to adjust to his new division and gains some valuable seat time before the schedule kicks-in.

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 305 Sprint Car schedule.

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, Dynamic Impressions Ink, 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