ARIA CONNOLLY
G
RUDGE R ACING IS SERIOUS BUSINESS FOR ARIA
Connolly. The Long Island-based chef has stepped up her pro-
gram this season after switching from her ’95 Mustang to an
’89 Mustang previously driven by her boyfriend, JoJo Marafino.
The couple has combined forces on a new powerplant for
the “Mz. Hyde” Mustang that should see Connolly improve on an already
impressive score in grudge races and No-Clock Small-Block Shootouts.
Connolly was nearly unstoppable in 2018, going 5-0 in grudge races,
winning a shootout at Maryland’s Capitol Raceway and taking runner-up
in two others. Her performance earned her the Female Grudge Racer of the
Year Award, the result of a National Grudge Race Association poll, as well
as Rookie of the Year honors from the East Coast Grudge Race Association.
A first-round red light stopped Connolly in the No-Clock Small-Block
Shootout at Lights Out X in February, but she expects more late-round
finishes and grudge match victories in the coming months.
“Now that we have a way more competitive car, I think we’ll be able to
go to these higher caliber races and really be able to dominate once we
get a handle on the car,” Connolly says. “We’re making a couple changes
on the car after Georgia that I know will be a definite help to us to make
it to the finals and take home more wins this year.”
It’s obvious Connolly is passionate about grudge racing. She’s worked
to attract sponsorship from companies like NGK Spark Plugs, ProTorque,
UPR Products and Induction Solutions, and she feels strongly about
grudge racing as a strong platform for sponsors and an entertaining form
of racing for fans.
“I think people should focus a little more on grudge races and not let
us get overshadowed by all the sportsman races,” Connolly says. “There’s
a whole other world here that people are missing out on. We’re not just
clogging up the staging lanes, we’re out there putting a show for every-
body.” - NATE VAN WAGNEN
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MZ. HYDE