The Stage is Set to be the Best Pro Mod Show Ever at
Indy
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MATTHEW BRAMMER
PR@ACTIVEMARKETING.COM
623-879-4290
The Stage is Set to be the Best Pro Mod Show Ever at Indy
CLEREMONT, Ind. (August 28, 2007) -- The Mac Tools NHRA US Nationals is the
biggest stage in all drag racing, and drivers of the AMS Pro Mod Challenge
presented by Tindle Enterprises should face the stiffest competition they've
seen anywhere all year. Runaway points leader Josh Hernandez will have to
fend off former US Nationals winners Jay Payne and Shannon Jenkins along
with last year's runner-up and No. 2 in 2007 BAE Championship points Raymond
Commisso to be the only driver ever to double up at "The Big Go."
Also gunning for the top-spot at this year's Indy Classic at O'Reilly
Raceway Park is the only other driver to win an event this season, series
presenting sponsor Tim Tindle behind the wheel of the Chuck Ford-tuned '67
Shelby GTO Mustang; and by his side, dark horse Rick Stivers and his
jet-black '68 Chevy Camaro.
"I don't think you'll see a gathering of such powerful Pro Mods anywhere,"
said the five-time winner this season, Josh Hernandez. "Every one of the
cars can run a number, and every one of them is looking to take home that
Eagle [event trophy]. I feel like I've got a huge target on my back, but I
can tell you that if the weather forecasts hold out, you will definitely see
more records breaking this Labor Day weekend."
After the Midwest has experienced abnormal amounts of rain, forecasters are
calling for temperatures in the mid-70's all weekend - perfect conditions
for high speeds and low ET's. In 2006, the field was the quickest ever, with
a bump spot of 6.182 seconds.
Not only will drivers be charging to earn points for the BAE Championship,
teams will be earning points in the ProCare Rx Pro Mod Clash based on the
performance and consistency of their qualifying efforts. According to Series
Director Matthew Brammer, every run down the track has important
implications.
"We've worked hard to inject excitement into the mix, and I think you'll see
the best Pro Mod racing ever right here this weekend. There's points chases,
grudge matches, different combinations and records on the line," said
Brammer
"We've got the players, we've got the power, and we've got the best stage
anywhere - the NHRA US Nationals. This is really as good as it gets," he
said.
Joining the supercharged contingent are long-time series racers Shannon
Jenkins and Mike Castellana making their debut in AMS competition this year.
Also making a return to AMS racing this weekend is turbo-powered pioneer
Mike Moran, who's combination qualified for competition based on recent rule
revisions. Moran joins Troy Coughlin as the next-generation, turbo-powered
cars trying to get a handle on their horsepower.
Racing is scheduled to begin with qualifying at 5:15 p.m. Friday, August 31,
12:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday, September 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, September 2.
Eliminations begin with the first round at 5:10 p.m. Sunday evening and
continue Monday, September 2 some time after 11 a.m. Same-day,
round-by-round coverage is available on NHRA.com and DragRaceCentral.com,
and daily notes and summaries will be available on NHRA.com,
CompetitionPlus.com and the series website, AMSProMods.com.
-30-
2006 Results
Low ET 6.016 R. Commisso
Top Speed 239.40 Troy Critchley
No. 1 Qualifier R. Commisso - 6.016
Event Champion: Hernandez defeated Commisso
Track Records:
Low ET 6.016 R. Commisso - 2006
Top Speed 239.40 Troy Critchley - 2006
Previous US Nationals Winners
2005 J. PAYNE
2004 HALSEY
2003 R. SMITH
2002 JENKINS
2001 HOOD
2007 Competition Roster
1. Cody Barklage
2. Scott Cannon
3. Mike Castellana
4. Raymond Commisso
5. Troy Coughlin
6. Steve Engel
7. Tommy Grey
8. Matt Hagen
9. Josh Hernandez
10. Mike Janis
11. Shannon Jenkins
12. Chip King
13. Mike Knowles
14. Harold Laird
15. Mike Moran
16. Jay Payne
17. Shelly Payne
18. Tony Ponteri
19. Scott Ray
20. Danny Rowe
21. John Russo
22. Mike Stawecki
23. Rick Stivers
24. Tim Tindel
25. Raymond Vettel
BAE Championship Points
(After six events)
1 3101 Josh Hernandez
2 2003 Raymond Commisso
3 1687 Jay Payne
4 1385 Tony Pontieri
5 1382 Tim Tindle
6 973 Steve Engel
7 841 Doug Palmer
8 830 Scott Ray
9 790 Troy Critchley
10 780 Shelly Payne
11 629 Rick Stivers
12 613 Bryan Seward
13 603 Matt Hagan
14 597 Dan Rowe
15 584 Mike Janis
16 438 Scott Cannon, Jr.
17 434 John Russo
18 392 Mike Stawicki
19 379 Troy Coughlin
20 365 Cody Barklage
21 330 Mike Bell
22 279 Eddie Ware
23 262 Tommy Gray
24 258 Zach Barklage
25 256 Harold Laird
26 229 Andy McCoy
26 229 Raymond Vettel
27 160 Chip King
28 130 Brandon Pesz
29 129 Joe Mulligan
30 126 Quain Stott
31 25 Angel Garcia
31 25 Dan Saitz
31 25 Gene Terenzio
31 25 Isaias Rojas
31 25 John Deflorian
31 25 William Rojas
ProCare Rx Clash Points
(After Two Events)
1. Josh Hernandez 610
2. Doug Palmer 540
3. Tim Tindle 460
4. Steve Engel 420
5. Jay Payne 390
6. Raymond Commisso 370
7. Tony Pontieri 360
8. Shelly Payne 320
9. Scott Ray 300
10. Tommy Gray 290
11. John Russo 240
12. Joe Mulligan 160
13. Rick Stivers 160
14. Mike Stawicki 110
15. Troy Coughlin 60
16. Raymond Vettel 50
17. Gene Terenzio 30
18. Harold Laird 10
Other Noteworthy Records
Most Career Event Wins
1. Joshua Hernandez 11
2. Shannon Jenkins 8
Mike Ashley 8
4. Jay Payne 4
5. Danny Rowe 3
Fred Hahn 3
Al Billes 3
Mike Castellana 3
Most Career Finals
1. Mike Ashley 13
2. Joshua Hernandez 12
3. Shannon Jenkins 8
Jay Payne 8
5. Mitch Stott 7
Troy Critchley 7
7. Danny Rowe 6
Most Career No. 1 Qualifiers
1. Fred Hahn 8
2. Joshua Hernandez 7
Most Career Round Wins
1. Mike Ashley 60
2. Joshua Hernandez 59
3. Jay Payne 51
Top Career Winning percentage (minimum 16 rounds)
1. Joshua Hernandez .766
2. Raymond Commisso .682
3. Mike Ashley .674
4. Jay Payne .662
5. Danny Rowe .656
6. Shannon Jenkins .651
Most Event Wins in a Season
1. Shannon Jenkins 6 2002
2. Mike Ashley 5 2005
Joshua Hernandez 5 2007
4. Joshua Hernandez 4 2005
5. Jay Payne 3 2005
Most Finals in a Season
1. Mike Ashley 7 2005
2. Shannon Jenkins 6 2002
Joshua Hernandez 6 2005
4. Joshua Hernandez 5 2007
Most Consecutive Wins in a Season
1. Joshua Hernandez 4 2007
Mike Ashley 4 2005
3. Shannon Jenkins 3 2002
4. Von Smith 2 2003
Shannon Jenkins 2 2002
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