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NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge - Englishtown, NJ.
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The
latest results from the fifth stop on the ten-race AMS Pro Modified
Challenge tour
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By Bobby Bennett Photos by Roger Richards |
SUNDAY FINAL - Billes wins third AMS Pro Modified Challenge event of 2004
What did matter to the veteran AMS Pro Modified Challenge driver is that he did what he needed to do en route to claiming his third national event of the season. Billes drove like a man worthy of leading the points chase in both major sanctioning bodies. His latest triumph came at the expense of the InfiNet Insurance/Unique Performance-sponsored Danny Rowe. Rowe made the best of his finest opportunity since the 2001 season when he claimed one national event win and a runner-up in the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
The victory provided Billes with the opportunity to extend his points lead over second place Mike Ashley by two more rounds. “This car may not be the quickest and fastest, but it is very consistent when it comes to raceday,” explained Billes. “We got kind of stressed when the final session came around and we were unqualified. This eight-car field is tough and the caliber of cars that run it are the cause for the that. When you get behind the eight-ball initially, it just compounds the challenge.” Eliminations opened with an upset of monstrous proportions as Zach Barklage got the best of Von Smith in the first pair. Barklage was slightly quicker out of the gate, and when Smith shook the tires that pretty much decided the match. The win light come on in Barklage’s lane with a 6.257, 232.27. Smith aborted the run and his day ended early. Points leader Al Billes continued to maintain his status as he knocked off former World Champion Shannon Jenkins in the Speedtech Camaro. Billes was the quicker out of the gate and Jenkins aborted the run just two feet into the run. The Canadian roared to a 6.240, 229.66 for the victory. InfiNet Insurance/Unique Performance-sponsored Danny Rowe fired the best shot in NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge competition since the overdrive reduction was enacted. Paired against Jim Halsey, Rowe found himself immediately .069 behind out of the gate. He never relented as Halsey drifted out of the groove at mid-track. Rowe snagged low elapsed time of the event with a 6.184, 228.61. Closing out the round was the sleek Unique Performance/InfiNet-sponsored driver Mike Ashley snagged the World Record with a 6.214, 228.23 that took out Rickie Smith. Smith grabbed .018 out of the gate, but his 6.292, 224.92 wasn’t enough to fend off the hard-charging Ford. Ashley’s record was backed up with a 6.23 in qualifying.
The semi-finals opened with Billes earning his third final round appearance of the season by taking out Barklage. Barklage was nearly .05 quicker out of the gate, but when tireshake entered the picture during the one-two shift, Billes slipped by for a 6.260, 228.61 victory. Barklage slowed to a 6.494, 225.48. On the other side of the ladder, the Gotham City teambattle never materialized. Ashley’s entry suffered electrical problems that prevented it from firing. Rowe advanced to the finals, coasting to an 8.72, 99.69. In the final round, Billes was lightning quick off of the line and that provided enough “wiggle room” as he used the .081 starting line advantage to stretch out a 6.253, 228.58 to 6.257, 228.92 decision opposite of Rowe. The next stop on the ten-race NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge tour will be next week in St. Louis, Mo., for the Sears Craftsman Nationals.
Kangaroo Lane Change
Aussie Troy Critchley had a tough time corralling his AMS Staff Leasing-sponsored Jackhammer 1941 Willys. (Roger Richards)
Sunday's final results from the fifth of 10 events on the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge, an NHRA exhibition class, being held at the 35th annual K&N Filters SuperNationals presented by Strauss Auto at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park: ROUND ONE -- Zach Barklage, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.257, 232.27 def. Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 17.047, 47.47; Al Billes, Chevy Corvette, 6.240, 229.66 def. Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, 18.766, 90.37; Dan Rowe, Corvette, 6.184, 228.61 def. Jim Halsey, Corvette, 7.330, 137.65; Mike Ashley, Shelby Mustang, 6.214, 228.23 def. Rickie Smith, Corvette, 6.292, 224.92; SEMIFINALS -- Billes, 6.260, 228.61 def. Barklage, 6.494, 225.48; Rowe, 8.721, 99.69 def. Ashley, broke; FINALS -- Billes, 6.253, 228.58 def. Rowe, 6.257,
228.92. |
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| Von Smith retained the top spot on Saturday despite not improving. |
(6-18-2004) - Von Smith’s best effort came on Friday and it was enough to keep him atop the qualifying order throughout the final day of qualifications for the NHRA K&N Filters SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. The Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based driver produced a 6.229, 230.69 and effectively ensured the former Top Alcohol Funny Car standout made a clean sweep of qualifying.
Smith failed to improve in the final day producing a best 6.249, 230.69 in the final session. This weekend’s success is something the Tommy Lipar team has longed for since last season’s incredible debut.
“We’ve had a lot of trouble getting untracked thus far this season,” said Smith. “Maybe this No. 1 will be the shot in the arm that we need to put the Tommy Lipar Racing Ford Mustang into the winner’s circle.”
Smith had very little breathing room at the top as hometown favorite Mike Ashley made a thunderous last-ditch charge to snag the top spot. The New York Mortgage Banker pushed his Unique Performance/InfiNet Insurance-sponsored entry to a 6.231, 227.57 for the second spot. Ashley was fourth headed into the final session.
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| Jim Halsey was qualified in all four Pro Modified sessions. |
Slipping into the third spot was the quickest nitrous entry on the grounds and it belonged to Jim Halsey. Halsey piloted his Cecil County Dragway-sponsored 1963 Corvette to the third spot.
Rounding out the top half of the field was points leader Al Billes, who entered the final session unqualified. Billes used a 6.253, 229.43 to earn his berth.
Also on the outside looking in was the entire second half of the field headed into the final session. Former World Champion Shannon Jenkins pulled out a 6.265, 223.39 to earn his spot.
Breaking a three-year drought was Laguna Hills, Ca.-based Danny Rowe as he pushed the InfiNet Insurance/Unique Performance 1963 Corvette into the program. Rowe’s best effort came during the third session when he nailed down the sixth spot with a 6.273, 229.00. He followed up the run with a low 6.3-second run.
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| Mike Ashley was the quickest runner in Saturday qualifying, ending up second. |
Rickie Smith found his way back into the show after getting bumped out prior to the final session. Smith’s Corvette ripped off a 6.278, 223.17 to claim the seventh spot and edge out Zach Barklage, who was .001 off with a 6.279, 229.31.
The scheduled first round pairings include Von Smith versus Barklage,
Ashley versus Rickie Smith, Halsey versus Rowe and Billes versus
Jenkins.
SATURDAY NOTES - Unblemished records, cursed Pro Modified finalists and Brad Anderson got mad...
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| Al Billes used a last-ditch effort to remain one of two drivers with a perfect qualifying record. |
Unblemished Still – Al Billes’ last-ditch effort to get in the show guaranteed that the streak of drivers would remain at two headed into St. Louis next week. Billes and low qualifier Von Smith are the only drivers out of 25 that have qualified for all five AMS Pro Modified Challenge events.
Good Call – Mike Ashley had predicted his Unique Performance/InfiNet Insurance-sponsored Shelby GT 500 would run a 6.25 if the blower belt had not have come off during Thursday’s qualifying. He returned during Saturday’s first qualifying session to record a 6.258, 227.84.
No Mo Hawk - One of the more noticeable traits missing from the Scotty Cannon fashion statement was his trademark Mohawk haircut. Just a few races ago, Rickie Smith made his debut of a Mohawk. Cannon hasn't had one since. When asked about it, Cannon added, "It's not something stands out when more than one person has it."
The Curse of the Bambino – On at least two occaisions this season, the winner and runner-up of the previous event have both failed to qualify. Mike Ashley and Zach Barklage ended up in the final round at Houston and failed to make the cut at the next event in Bristol. At the previous event in Chicago, both Mike Castellana and Fred Hahn, Chicago finalists, fell short of the qualified field. Only Al Billes has yet to succumb. In Bristol, he and Mitch Stott reached the final round. Stott has made up for Billes as he has failed to qualify since reaching the final round.
Better late than never – Did you know that the entire second half of the qualified field earned their spots during the final qualifying session?
Bad Brad Got Mad – When asked why has hasn’t given up on Pro Modified, Brad Anderson admitted, “This thing made me mad. There’s no way I’m going to let it get the best of me.”
Only in Englishtown – Mike Ashley’s pits were filled with numerous employees from his Lend-America mortgage banking firm. But the most interesting duo was his Rabbi and a professional break-dancer.
World Championships, A quarter and a cup of coffee – Did you know that ten Pro Modified World Championships will be sitting on the sidelines for Sunday’s eliminations?
Proctologist anyone? – Mike Janis broke
his rearend beyond repair, on his Eaton Automotive-sponsored entry
that is. The former IHRA World Champion was forced to withdraw from
competition. Janis was unable to make the call for the third session
of qualifying after crewmember Steve Hermann noticed an oil puddle
under one of the rear tires. The crew quickly inspected the problem
hoping for the best, but after further inspection it was noticed
that the axle tube was cracked near the outer bearing seat. Rather
than chancing it, Janis and his crew decided it was better to be
safe than sorry and packed up and headed for home.
The damage seems to have occurred during Janis’ first qualifying
attempt. Janis’ entry left the line hard then went into violent
tire shake. Janis attempted to drive through the shake, but aborted
the run before the 330 ft marker.
”This tire shake problem has haunted us for a while. I’ve had the headaches to prove it,” said Janis. “Having to pull out of the race because of a mechanical failure is very disheartening, but knowing that we can now get from point A to B smoothly lessens the sting”
FRIDAY - Smith rages with Dr. Moon’s machine during Friday qualifying
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| Von Smith led first day qualifying. |
(6-18-2004) - Von Smith’s team was among the supercharged teams that were all nailed with a supercharger overdrive reduction last month. During first day qualifying for the fifth stop on the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge in Englishtown, NJ., Smith showed no ill-effects as he raced to the top spot in qualifying. He not only grabbed the top spot, he put an exclamation mark beside his name as he established a new world record in AMS Pro Modified Challenge with a 6.229, 228.38.
AMS Pro Modified Challenge rules mandate that if a record lies dormant for more than a year that it can be re-established a year later. Since the last record of a 6.09 was established, the rules for the supercharged combination have undergone two different reductions.
Smith established himself as the one to beat with a 6.282, 227.80 recorded in the first session.
Nipping on the heels of the low qualifier Smith was the nitrous tandem of Shannon Jenkins and Rickie Smith. Jenkins stepped up in the second session with a 6.285, 222.91. Smith was only .005 behind with a 6.290, 221.56.
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| Shannon Jenkins was second in the show and the quickest nitrous entry. |
New York Mortgage Banker Mike Ashley rounded out the top half of the field with a 6.310, 226.28. He appeared on the right track to improving during the final session but a blower belt breakage squelched his chances.
Recent IHRA winner Quain Stott ended up in the fifth spot with a 6.324, 227.69, just ahead of Mike Janis’6.324, 227.69.
Making his 2004 NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge debut was the nitrous runner Jim Halsey. Halsey, who owns Cecil County Dragway, thundered to the seventh spot with a 6.337, 222.84.
Rounding out the show was Mitch Stott. Stott, the defending champion of last year’s event, closed out the field with a 6.337, 224.81.
Friday Notes - The New Yawk attitude with a twist, Old Rivalry renewed at E-town and the Perfection watch...
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| Mike Ashley's newfound success can be attributed to a positive attitude. |
It’s all in the attitude -– New York Mortgage Banker Mike Ashley had a very good time racing at Englishtown last year. However, when one looks through his history of racing at the famed Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, they could easily draw the conclusion that it’s a tradition for the veteran Pro Modified driver from Melville. The Unique Performance/InfiNet Insurance-sponsored Ashley has set performance records and won plenty of rounds in competition at the facility that he considers his home track. When the 23-race NHRA POWERade tour rolls into town this weekend for the 35th annual K&N Filters SuperNationals, Ashley is focused on winning.
Of course, Ashley’s performance has to be beyond perfect this weekend. He’ll have scores of friends, family, business associates of his Lend-America mortgage banking firm as well as employees there to cheer him on. Not to be forgotten, Ashley has a healthy fan-following when it comes to racing at E-town.
“It provides that extra incentive,” Ashley explained. “Doing well at Englishtown is something we don’t consider an option, it’s mandatory. Getting up for this event is something that comes natural. Englishtown is the kind of track that has created a reputation that makes drivers want to win there. There’s a lot of prestige in winning here.”
Ashley is enjoying the kind of season that would make many drag racers envious. He is currently ranked second in the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge championship points and leads the rankings for the special eight-car AMS Pro Modified Shootout to be contested later this season in Dallas, Texas.
“I am very pleased with the progress that our team has made this year,” added Ashley. “Chuck Ford and the crew have worked many tireless hours to enhance the great combination we have. We have proven that when you have a full team effort, you can accomplish anything. It all starts with the attitude.”
To ensure that his teams stay on the same page, Ashley continually sends out motivational CD’s from noted speakers and each has a message. The message comes across loud and clear that success is defined through attitude.
Whole new ballgame – Last year’s AMS Pro Modified
Challenge visit to Englishtown resulted in one of the quickest and
fastest showings ever in the class. Don’t expect that to happen
this weekend. The temperature, while settled in the mid-Eighty degree
range, carried 72% humidity and 80 grams worse water in the air.
The adjusted altitude is 2,700-feet worse than last year’s
mineshaft conditions.
Just like old times – With Scotty Cannon returning to Pro Modified this year, it provides the opportunity for him and longtime rival Fred Hahn to mix it up again. Englishtown used to play host to their epic battles in non-legal trim. According to Cannon, they had plenty of no-holds barred matches. Cannon added that racing at E-town was always a treat because it provided him with an opportunity to beat up on Hahn and team owner Jim Oddy in their backyard.
Hahn recalled, “Scotty and I used to spend a lot of time here. But, that was then. Scotty hasn’t forgotten how to run with us here. If the two of us get to the finals, we’ll show the fans a drag race. We’re friends, but when we race here that ceases to exist. Friends are for the beer. Scotty knows the game. He’s good at playing it.”
Cannon held the track record with a 6.200 in 1998 when he left the class to pursue Pro Modified.
New Records – One of the neat things about
the NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge is its rule that mandates world
records are forfeited if they remain dormant for a year. Last year’s
6.09 recorded with a 29% overdrive was erased and after the first
session, Von Smith found himself in the driver’s seat for
the new record with a 6.282. He later lowered the mark to a 6.229.
The interesting thing about Smith’s run is that it would have only been quick enough for the 14th spot in last year’s event.
Perfection Watch – Headed into this event, only two drivers had qualified for all five events contested thus far in 2004. Von Smith and Al Billes were those drivers with an unblemished qualifying record. After one day Smith was on top and Billes was unqualified.
