Last season my introduction of Tony Rovito, Jr. rookie year as a Cool Contributor seems appropriate for this season also. Last year Rovito's first statement was "I smell like one big burnt tire."

Introduction by Dwight Drum
Photos ©Tony Rovito Jr.

We are especially proud of avid fans, those going beyond spectator status to deliver images and words for others. Tony Rovito Jr is one such enthusiast. We call them "Cool Contributors" here at Zoomster.com and StripBike.com because all they ask for is recognition, and some even shy from that. None are bashful about working hard at the fun of motorsports with skills and energy that transcend their regular jobs. We suspect more Cool Contributors would like to add their version, their work to the promotion of the sport, but they don't always step forward. We urge more enthusiasts to do so.

Ray Price & Tony Rovito Jr.

"While I can't bring you the sights AND the sounds of a day at the Carquest Auto Parts Empire Nationals, I can show you my camera's view of this national event. Sit back for a few "high-speed" moments and enjoy the color and excitement of the greatest show in drag racing. It is my pleasure to bring it to you."

"I smell like one big burnt tire redo."
"Well, I'm sunburned," Rovito said. "I have blisters on both feet, my eyes and nose are still watering but I have a huge grin on my face; oh, I GET it...I was at the Empire Nationals!"

The story at the Empire Nationals was the weather, specifically the sun...too much of it.

"Lots of heat, lots of tire shake, lots of soft passes," Rovito Jr.said. "A really strange weekend relative to what I'm used to I've been to every one of these since they started in 1991 or 1992."

"I talked to Mike Janis who said the track didn't have anything. He drove through the tire shake, but just about every other Pro Mod was jumping up and down about 3 feet."

"Stordeur made a nice pass. All the other fuel vehicles were up in smoke at the hit or weak enough to get down the track, but too weak to put up a number."

"I talked to Doug Vancil about his win out of a U-Haul; Julie said it was the single worst weekend of her life!"

"Mark Conner's riding is amazing to watch, Ray Price is having the time of his life. Life is good."