"Z-Man" O'Connell 6th in Hamlin Feature After 2nd Place Heat Run
by Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

West Park, NY -Thirteen year old driving talent Zach O'Connell drove to a fine 6th place finish in Junior Slingshot action Saturday Night at the super fast 1/5 mile Hamlin Speedway oval. O'Connell began the race from his third place starting position. Some initial bumping on the start had a few cars getting turned around and off course and restarting from the rear including O'Connell.

Mark Berkenstock captured the win by getting to the lead early and easily held off Nathan West in the runner-up slot and the returning Jesse Leiby, who finished third. O'Connell worked his way back to 6th in the final rundown of the event that was cut short a few laps due to the time limit running out on the event.

The "Z-Man," led the seven car field off of the line to take command of the heat race action early on. Honeybrook's Katie McCardle came up to challenge O'Connell after a few laps and it set the stage for a great battle between the two youngsters. At the checkered flag, it was McCardle winning by a fraction in her BTM/Marsh Creek Speedway sponsored machine. O'Connell finished second in his Apple Greens/Lowes/Ulster Motorsports sponsored mount with Mackenzie Brink rounding out the top three.

O'Connell, who earned the 2006 Rookie of the Year honors at the Hamlin facility, first became interested in racing when his parents, Paul and Brenda, took him to the Accord races. He fell in love with racing in a heartbeat and his parents made the decision to purchase a car for the "Z-Man," even though Mom was a little hesitant at first. Racing at both Hamlin and Accord, the young driver is earning high marks for his racing endeavors.

The "Z-Man" has maintained Honor Roll status for every semester and will enter the 8th grade this coming year at the Highland Middle School, situated in Highland, New York. The Honor Roll status is 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.

Racing isn't the only sport the "Z-Man is involved with. Competing in the Port Ewan Athletic Basketball Association, Zach's team, the Nets, won the league title in 2006 and were the runner-ups last year.

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, NAPA D&D of Highland, Trailer King, Frozen Rainbow, Jim Young Photography, Gross Graphics, Hig-Fab, Ulster Motorsports, Escopus Sportsman Club, Sabia, Dynamic Impressions Ink and Tri State Studios.

The "Z-Man" will be in action every Wednesday at Accord and Saturdays at Hamlin for the remainder of the 2007 season. For further updates regarding Zach O'Connell and the ZTO Motorsports team log onto their website at: www.zacharyoconnell.com