"Z-Man" Enjoys Great Month With Another Clean Sweep and Top Five Finishes at Hamlin
by Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

West Park, NY- Thirteen year old driving talent Zach "Z-Man" O'Connell capped off a great month of racing in September as he sped to a solid fifth place finish on Saturday night in the season finale at the Hamlin Speedway. Starting 10th in the 12-car staring field, O'Connell quickly moved up to 8th place early in the race only to be helped around and face traffic on lap-5. With just 10-laps remaining in the event and now starting from the rear of the field, O'Connell went hands-up on the wheel and drove from last position to fifth place in the remaining laps of the event. The season ending finish for O'Connell made the month of September a rewarding one for the eighth grade Highland Middle School student as during the early portion of the month he wired the stellar Hamlin Junior Slingshot field for the second time in six weeks.

In his victory run on September 8th, O'Connell got the ball rolling early as he clipped off a wire to wire win in his heat race after drawing pole position for the event. The heat race win set the stage for the feature event, which again found O'Connell drawing the front row starting spot. At the drop of the green flag, O'Connell powered his Apple Greens Golf Course/Lowes of Kingston/P&Z Rental Properties Slingshot into the lead, and throughout the event withstood the pressures of both Jason West in his Bulkley Transport machine and Brittany Tresch in her JHM Tree Service sponsored mount. In the final two laps of the 15-lap event, O'Connell was able to put a bit of distance between he and the rest of the field to score his second win of the 2007 racing season. Jason West finished second with Brittany Tresch ending up third. Mackenzie Brink was fourth in the event and Katie McCardle rounded out the top five. Just as in his earlier triumph, the "Z-Man" enjoyed a clean sweep of the evening's racing events.

The win carried over to the victory lane celebration, as the immaculate numbered 327 race car sat in the winner's circle for more than an hour as the happy crew and well wishers enjoyed the moment along with the jubilant "Z-Man," who found himself drenched in water time after time by friends and family.

The "Z-Man" returned as a guest on the very popular CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show on Monday night following his triumph. He shared interviews with another Hamlin winner, the "Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner, as Rohner won more than $1,000.00 for his efforts in winning the 50-lap Slingshot National event during the evening. Another guest on the show was Accord winner Jerry Higbie, who is idolized by both of the young Slingshot campaigners.

O'Connell, who earned the 2006 Rookie of the Year honors at the Hamlin facility, finished the season among the top five in the points battle at the speedway. The 2007 season in review will follow shortly with some possible updates on where the young speedster will be doing his racing will be doing his racing in 2008. The O'Connell family will be flying to Talladega in two weeks to see some NASCAR racing and meet with Lowes Crew Chief Ron Malec, who drove the ZTO Motorsports Slingshot racer to victory in the recent NEXTEL Crew Challenge race at the Hamlin speedplant.

With the racing season completed, the "Z-Man" will focus his attention to his schoolwork. He 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, 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, 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