Martino ends Drought, wins Sonoma!!!

MARTINO ENDS WINLESS DROUGHT WITH DRAMATIC WIN IN SONOMA   

Sonoma, CA, August 5, 2001 - Tom Martino, 43, of Farmingdale, New Jersey, 
scored the fourth NHRA national event win of his professional career by 
capturing the Pro Stock title at today's Fram Autolite Nationals in Sonoma, 
California.  After defeating Jim Yates, Kurt Johnson and Mark Pawuk in the 
earlier rounds, the CENTURY 21 Grand Am pilot completed his drive to the 
winner's circle with a 7.037-second, 196.50 mph pass in the final round 
against Mike Edwards.  This was Martino's first win since the 1998 Visionaire 
NorthStar Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota.

"I almost didn't know how to act at the top end after I won," said Martino.  
"I'm not normally an emotional person, but I'd say this win was as special as 
my first in Houston four years ago.  It's been a while since we won, and it 
feels great to finally get that monkey off our back."

Coming out of the 11th starting position and without the benefit of lane 
choice, Martino knew he would need every advantage to advance beyond the 
first round.  Facing a tough opponent in Yates, Martino took matters into his 
own hands by grabbing a nine hundredths of a second lead at the starting line 
and riding a 6.947-second elapsed time to negate his opponent's quicker 
6.900-second run.  

A similar situation unfolded in the second round as Martino once again used a 
quicker reaction time to score his second consecutive hole shot win, 
eliminating No. 3 qualifier Johnson.  In the semi-finals, Martino combined 
another quick start with a solid 6.955-second elapsed time to defeat a 
slowing Pawuk and advance to the tenth final round of his career.  It was 
clear to all involved that Martino, acknowledged as one of the top drivers in 
the class, was on his game.

"Throughout my career, I've prided myself on being one of the three or four 
best drivers in Pro Stock between cutting a good light and handling the car," 
stated Martino.  "I tune the car myself, so I know what's going on.  Usually, 
I do a good job of driving, but this year, I'd have to say I'd only been fair 
getting down the track and on the starting line.  When I raced Kurt (Johnson) 
in the final in Woodburn (a Pro Stock invitational event held in Oregon which 
Martino won earlier in the week), I just made up my mind to get across the 
finish line first, and liked the feeling, so I'm not about to let anyone 
leave first now."

However, one final obstacle remained between Martino and a well-deserved win. 
 Fortunately, due to Martino's performance in the previous round, he would 
have the luxury of choosing his lane for the final against Edwards.  From the 
moment the light turned green, there was little doubt as to the outcome, as 
Martino used his best reaction time of the day at .425 to leave the line six 
hundredths of a second ahead of his rival and never looked back as Edwards 
got of out shape and was forced to lift.  Even so, the winning pass was not 
as routine as it may have looked.
 
"The starting line was better than we anticipated, and we weren't aggressive 
enough," explained Martino.  "As a result, it didn't have enough wheel speed, 
which made it carry the front wheels too long and pulled it off to the left.  
I brought it back, put it in third and it just started shaking, so I jammed 
it in fourth.  It fishtailed a little, so I threw it in fifth to try and 
knock the tire shake off it.  

"At the same time, I looked over to see where Mike was and I turned to the 
right, which caused it to get out of the groove and shoot towards the wall.  
At that point, I couldn't get it back.  I realized I had seen Winston Cup 
cars swipe the wall at 200 mph, and figured I could do the same. Besides I 
calculated it wouldn't hit the wall until after the finish line so they 
couldn't throw me out, and I have two more Grand Ams at home that I could 
use.  Fortunately, we made it through in one piece."

Afterwards, a grateful Martino was quick to acknowledge his supporters.

"The people at CENTURY 21 are probably the easiest sponsors that anyone could 
have," detailed Martino.  "For example, Steve Savino, the vice president of 
marketing only calls me when he want to take me somewhere like the Home Run 
Derby.  If I need something, they do whatever they can to help me, and treat 
my entire family like their own.  I'm very proud to have them as my sponsor. 
I hope today's win helps to show them my appreciation for their support over 
the last three years.

"Of course, I have to thank every one at Jesel Valvetrain Innovation.  They 
have been with me my entire career, and I couldn't be out here without their 
help.   I'd also like to acknowledge my team, from my wife Robin, who is a 
saint, to Tom Kling, Paul Moreschi and Tim Whitmer.  

"Hopefully, we can take this win and keep moving forward.  We have a few days 
before Brainerd and a lot of work to do, but I'm looking forward to getting 
back on the track."

Century 21 Real Estate Corporation (www.century21.com) is the franchisor of 
the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, providing 
comprehensive training, management, administrative and marketing support for 
the CENTURY 21 System.  The System is comprised of more than 6,600 
independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in more than 25 
countries and territories worldwide.  Century 21 Real Estate Corporation is a 
subsidiary of Cendant Corporation