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IHRA: Pro Modified Returns to Birthplace at Darlington

5 March 1999

DARLINGTON, SC-- One of the IHRAs more diverse categories will celebrate its tenth season in existence at the IHRA Prolong Winter Nationals , to be held on March 12, 13 and 14 at Darlington International Dragway. The Pro Modified class was given life in the Summer of 1989 and was contested for the first time as a national event category during the 1990 AEA/All-Pro Winter Nationals, also held at Darlington. Over the years, this division has produced dramatic side-by-side racing and enough controversy to insure plenty of headaches for the IHRA technical department.

The Pro Modified division is a fan favorite among IHRA afficinados as it provides a place for many odd combinations such as a supercharged and alcohol-burning, 1949 Mercury (with fender skirts!) to match horsepower opposite other state-of-the-art machinery as a 1999 Pontiac Firebird with motivation from a 700-cubic inch, nitrous-injected powerplant. One of the favorable characteristics of this division is that it can match old versus new and supercharged versus nitrous oxide. It has been said that this division is the ultimate in doorslammer racing.

It seems as if it were yesterday that the first Pro Modified class ran for the first time as a professional category. The scene was 1990 at Darlington International Dragway when over 30 teams challenged for a spot in the inaugural 16-car field for the Winter Nationals. There were only a handful of six second runs in the first sanctioned event and it was hometown favorite Ed Hoover that impressed the spectators as he topped eventual world champion Tim McAmis for the event crown.

IHRA officials expect as many as 50 of these cars to roll through the gates at DID for the three day event. Though the division lost its winningest driver in Scotty Cannon, who will run a nitro funny car under another sanction, it will not decrease in appeal to its fans. There are many drivers with the potential to step into the limelight with authority. The frontrunner for the crown is Shannon Jenkins, who set the class record with a 6.316 at the 1998 World Finals in Shreveport, La. Expect racers such as Troy Critchley in Johnny Roccas new Prolong-sponsored, 1949 Merc, Gilbert. S.C.s Hoover and Dale Brinsfields Dylan Mortgage-sponsored, 1968 Camaro to make a serious charge.

A full slate of professional and sportsman drag racing is on tap for the 27th annual, IHRA Prolong Winter Nationals and will feature the traditional, Saturday Night Of Fire comprised of fire-spewing Top Fuelers, wheel-standers, two jet dragsters and the Super Shockwave, a jet-powered 1957 Chevy truck. The evening will culminate with a massive fireworks show.

Darlington and the IHRA, keeping with their family friendly pricing for national events, offers a $20 daily ticket that includes free parking and a pit pass.. Children (ages 6-12) are admitted for only $5 per day. A 3-Day Super Pass is available.

The IHRA Prolong Winter Nationals hosts three days of championship drag racing scheduled for March 12-14. The first two days are reserved for qualifying and preliminary eliminations. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, March 14. The track is located six miles west of Darlington on Hwy 151.