More than $130,000 on the line as AMS Pro Mods hit The Strip
Press Release For Immediate Release More than $130,000 on the line as AMS Pro Mods hit The Strip LAS VEGAS, Nevada (October 25, 2007) - More than $130,000 in prizes and purse money is on the table as the AMS Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. contests its last event of the season at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the ACDelco NHRA Vegas Nationals this weekend. In addition to the $30,000 event purse and the $50,000 BAE Championship Cup Championship purses which will be awarded after the event, eight drivers will compete for their share of the $50,000 ProCare Rx Pro Mod Clash awards. Texan Josh Hernandez has already clinched the $25,000 top prize and World Championship title in the BAE Championship Cup, but the remaining $25,000 will be divided amongst the other top ten still vying for a position. Second place Raymond Commisso currently has a more than 200-point lead over 2006 World Champion Jay Payne, but with more than 500 points up for grabs - 100 points per round-win - the No. 2 spot is still up for grabs. In the hunt for the $5,000 third place purse are Canadian Tony Pontieri, series presenting sponsor Tim Tindle and Ohio trucking mogul Steve Engel. The mood was jovial on the first-ever ProCare Rx Clash Public Pairings teleconference held Tuesday night. The eight drivers competing in the Clash joined together to learn their fate in the first round, and jabs were taken as each tried to position himself with any advantage possible. Since the ProCare Rx SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey, competitors have been earning points based on their qualifying position and consistency in their qualifying efforts. Tony Pontieri, who has faced 2007 Champion Josh Hernandez in eliminations several times this year said, "Go ahead and just give me Josh now. I know I'm going to get him. I told him the next time we meet, I was going to teach him a lesson - so let's just get it on." As the names were drawn and the ladder was formed, Pontieri's prediction was unfulfilled - at least in the first round. It is possible he could face Hernandez in the semifinals of the Clash, but, he'll have to get past Steve Engel, and Hernandez will have to surpass Jay Payne in a Battle of the Champions in order for the two to meet. Payne said, "We've had a tough year, but things are really starting to peak now, and I know Brad [Anderson, Payne's crew chief and father-in-law] has something to prove. We're all ready to go." Shelly Payne, Jay's wife and teammate, qualified for the Clash in sixth place, but will be unable to compete because she is still recovering from injuries she sustained in a crash in Richmond, Va. Taking her place in the Clash is No. 9 qualifier Scott Ray. Ray was drawn first, and will face Tim Tindle in round one, and Raymond Commisso and John Russo will do battle in the other leg of the ladder. ProCare Rx Chairman and CEO Roger Burgess, who recently completed his licensing requirements and will be debuting in competition this weekend, said during the teleconference, "I'm excited for all of the drivers who have made it this far and proven their skills. It's a testament not only to their driving abilities but also the talent of their crews and tuners. "In addition to the $25,000 cash prize, we have an incredible one-of-a-kind trophy we'll be presenting to the winner, something to commemorate our first of hopefully many Pro Mod Clashes to come," Burgess said. The racing schedule has been modified from what was originally posted on the NHRA website. The first round of qualifying on Friday for all cars competing in the event is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., and the first round of the ProCare Rx Clash is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the remaining cars in their second round of qualifying. Saturday's schedule begins with the semifinals of the clash scheduled at 11:15 a.m. followed by the final qualifying session for the remaining cars. The finals of the Clash will be contested at 2 p.m. between the nitro and Pro Stock qualifying sessions, and the first round of eliminations is scheduled for 5 p.m. The balance of eliminations will be completed on Sunday, October 28. ---- Eliminations Ladder for the $50,000 ProCare Rx Pro Mod Clash Round One: Scott Ray vs Tim Tindle* John Russo vs Raymond Commisso* Josh Hernandez* vs Jay Payne Tony Pontieri* vs Steve Engel * indicates lane choice Semifinals: Winner Ray v Tindle vs Winner Russo v Commisso Winner Hernandez v Payne vs Winner Pontieri v Engel ACDelco Vegas Nationals AMS Pro Mod Racing Schedule Friday: 3:00 PM - Q-1 for all 24 cars 5:30 PM - R-1 ProCare Rx Clash (8 cars) 5:40 PM - Q-2 for remaining 16 cars Saturday: 11:15 AM - R-2 ProCare Rx Clash (4 cars) 11:20 AM - Q-3 for remaining 20 cars 2:00 PM - Final ProCare Rx Clash (2 cars) (will not count for event qualifying) 5:00 PM - R-1 (16 cars) Sunday: Eliminations after 11 a.m. Entry List: Scott Bailey Roger Burgess Raymond Commisso Troy Critchley Kip Dupuis Steve Engel Billy Harper Josh Hernandez Glen Kerunsky Chip King Mike Knowles Kirk Kuhns Harold Laird Kenny Lang Gary Mason Mike Moran Jay Payne Tony Ponteri Dennis Radford Scott Ray Danny Rowe John Russo Rick Stivers Tim Tindel Raymond Vettel ### Media Contact: Matthew Brammer - Active Marketing pr@activemarketing.com 623-879-4290 For more information about the AMS Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc., please visit the series website: www.AMSpromods.com. About AMS Pro Mods: The AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge, presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. pits the very best blown, nitrous, and turbo-charged Pro Modified drag racers against one another for the coveted BAE Championship Cup and a combined a purse and championship fund of more than $365,000. On a national platform at ten NHRA national events, the AMS Pro Mods are at the pinnacle for Pro Mod racers worldwide. Often called some of the most challenging straight-line racing in the world by drivers and crew chiefs alike, the cars utilize different combinations of methanol-burning engines in late-model full-body chassis and produce around 2,500 horsepower. The cars also utilize full suspension and must be equipped with working doors on each side of the vehicle to maintain aesthetically "car-like" appearance. Top performance numbers for the quarter-mile races are in the high five-seconds at speeds in excess of 245 mph. About Tindle Enterprises Tindle Enterprises Inc. (T.E.I.) is a locally owned contracting company in Freeport, Fla. that specializes in underground utility and quality site construction. The company serves the Florida panhandle and continues to grow to meet the high demand. The company is firmly established with a set of strong values: Total Dedication, Excellent Performance, and Individual Customer Satisfaction. About ProCare Rx ProCare Rx is one of the nationıs largest prescription drug management companies. The $50,000 ProCare Rx Pro Mod Clash rewards the top teams in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. for performance and consistency. At stake is a total of $50,000, to be contested at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, October 25-28, 2007. HITnRUNtravel.com is the official travel site for AMS Pro Mod teams. All profits from the site are directly used to fund the official AMS charity - Parker's Partners. The next time you fly, try HITnRUNtravel.com. SHELOR.com is the official Online Automobile Source for the AMS Pro Mod Challenge. SHELOR.COM is the online marketplace for Shelor Motor Mile, based in Christiansburg, Virginia - one of the largest automotive dealers in the country, selling Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota/Scion, Chrysler/Dodge, Subaru and Kia brands, as well as a full line of Haulmark haulers and trailers. With over 30 years of experience, Stivers HVAC Inc. serves the heating and air conditioning needs of home and business owners in the Central Kentucky area with quality you can trust and customer service you can depend on. Offering the fastest and most reliable service in the area, we have the experience and expertise to get the job done right the first time. Our skilled professionals provide the knowledge and experience to help you select the best high-efficiency system for your heating and cooling needs, and use only the finest tools and materials to service and repair your existing system, no matter what brand it is. Got a fat head? Need sunglasses and eyeware that fits? FatHeadz is the official eyeware provider of the AMS Pro Mod Challenge. Check out their styles even if youıre a slim they have something to fit you. www.FatHeadz.com. # # #