Kenny Koretsky Racing Englishtown

Englishtown, N.J. - - After a brief hiatus, Kenny Koretsky, of nearby Richboro, Penn., returns to action this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Two months ago, Koretsky, a veteran driver since the eighties in both NHRA and IHRA Top Fuel and Pro Stock categories, formed Kenny Koretsky Racing, a two-car Pro Stock team. Rickie Smith, of King, N.C., pilots the team's primary entry, a Jerry Bickel-built Camaro, while Koretsky handles the driving duties for the second car, a Rick Jones-built Firebird. Both entries are sponsored by Bucks County Kawasaki, headquartered in Bristol, Penn.

This weekend's NHRA Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals marks only the second time both cars have vied at the same event since the team was formed.

Being in close proximity to the quarter-mile drag racing facilities at Maple Grove, Penn., and Englishtown, N.J., affords Koretsky the luxury of calling both tracks: home tracks.

"It's great to be at a track so close to home. Family, friends, company employees from my businesses, everybody will be here. This is where I began my racing career. I'm excited!" said Koretsky. "Even greater will be getting into a car with horsepower. Engine builder Frank Iaconio has done an exceptional job providing a sound power plant in a very short time frame.

"If the weather stays cool, the track at Englishtown will be a mine shaft. It will be fast for everybody. You may even see some record runs," continued Koretsky.

It will be like old home week around the Kenny Koretsky Racing pit area this weekend. In addition to Koretsky, crew chief Eddie Guarnaccia, Jr., who is the reigning champion on the Northeast Pro Shootout Association circuit but is taking time off from competition to prepare the Koretsky team cars, is a Pennsylvania native and currently resides in Feasterville, Penn.

Engine-builder Frank Iaconio is from Flanders, N.J. Iaconio is another veteran of Pro Stock wars. He was a mainstay on the Pro Stock circuits from the mid-70s through the early 90s. He finished in the top ten in NHRA points 11 times - - with a best finish of second in 1982 and 1983.

Rickie Smith is the " foreigner." He is a "good old boy from North Carolina." Much in demand as a crew chief, Smith's first love is driving. He has won the IHRA Pro Stock championship five-times and has claimed three top ten finishes on the NHRA Pro Stock series, with a best of sixth. Since he began competing on the NHRA circuit in 1987, Smith has gone to the final round nine times winning two. He continues to race Pro Mod on the IHRA circuit when his NHRA schedule permits.

Koretsky summed up the upcoming event. "I know there will be something going on around pit area all weekend, but Rickie and I will remained focus on the job at hand. We want to put both Buck County Kawasaki cars in the final round. That's what we're here for. Maybe the home track advantage will go our way."