Tim Stevens signs sponsor

Stevens looking forward to 2006 with new sponsor Michfab Machinery

DORR, Mich. - "New" could be the theme word for Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Tim Stevens going into the 2006 season. Stevens and his T-N-T Motorsports team will hit the track with 'new' primary sponsor Michfab Machinery, in a 'new' Straightline Design Chassis with a 'new' 2006 Dodge Stratus body and hit several 'new' events for the team on both the IHRA and NHRA trail. The team recently debuted the car at last weekend's Grand Rapids AutoRama car show, and plan to debut it on track at the eRaceFuels CompetitionPlus.com Eastern Spring Test Nationals, in Valdosta, Ga., Mar. 9-14.

With the season rapidly approaching, Stevens is excited about what 2006 has in store.

"Most people know my transition into Funny Car has NOT been a smooth one," said Stevens. "After crashing and burning my first Funny Car to the ground in my first season, most people would quit. We are going full-bore this year with a new car, new motor, new fuel system and a new sponsor! In literally 60-days, we went from jig to our debut at the Grand Rapids Autorama last weekend!"

"Our new sponsor, Michfab Machinery, Inc., came on last year as a two race deal," Stevens continued. "Obviously they liked what they saw, despite us not setting the world on fire. But we kept our heads up, all the while wondering what we could do different this year, so we basically cleaned house and started from scratch. My chassis shop, Straightline Designs built the new chassis in record time. Several changes were made from previous cars as far as engine/driver location. The changes to the chassis coupled with the new fuel system and new Total Flow heads we're putting on should put us on the right track."

The team plans to run a mixed schedule of IHRA, NHRA and exhibition events.

"We have eleven races on the schedule right now," commented Stevens. "But that's not to say we won't add races if we run some strong numbers right out of the box down in Valdosta. Bottom line is we want to do a good job for Scott Richmond and Craig Chopp and the guys at Michfab Machinery and introduce them to new clientele. We also want to do a great job for our associate sponsors Miller Welding Supply, Darren Mayer Performance Engineering, Total Flow Products, Straightline Design, Fabtech, R-Vee's Custom Paint, NGK Spark Plugs, D.J. Safety, Torco Race Fuels, Lettinga Performance Machining, Daimler Chrysler, Stevens Signs & Designs, ATI Technologies, Miller Industrial Gases, Phase 111 Graphics, Ultimate Driveline, Kenowa Auto Supply and Auto Interior & Top Specialist"

"With these great sponsors behind us, Crew Chief Jim Thurston and my crew of Jim Thurston, Jr., Mark Noble, Gary Rynbrandt, Mike Dalman and Jeff Veine, it should be a great year," added Stevens. "We're also bringing back the 'gargoyle' themed paint job that was a big hit with the fans last year."

Serving the region since 1993, Michfab Machinery, Inc., is a Michigan-based distributor of new and used machine tools. You can order a new machine built to your specs or view the new and used equipment we stock in our showroom. Michfab carries press brake tooling, shear blades, forming, fabricating and punching machinery and accessories. Whether you're looking for a press brake, shear, ironworker, folder, laser, plasma cutter, bending roll, drill, turret press or saw, put our experienced team to work for you! Michfab also takes trade-ins towards new equipment. Michfab offers flexible financing to make new machinery affordable. We represent quality manufacturers and work together to provide complete satisfaction. Michfab Machinery is with you every step of the way- providing support, service, parts and accessories.

-www.tntmotorsports.net