Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, through the assistance of a key group of Pro Modified historians and enthusiasts, have compiled a list of the Top 20 all-time drivers based on their contribution to the class, historic achievements, statistics and fan appeal.

Starting on Friday, January 11, 2010, the electronic magazine began revealing those names on the list, and will announce two drivers per week, until the No. 1 driver is unveiled on Saturday, Mar. 20, during the ADRL Dragpalooza in Houston, Texas.

Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com narrowed the list from hundreds of drivers down to 20. Today, we reveal No. 16 on the list.

Monroe, NC

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Won the inaugural RAM Top Performer Challenge
• Won two IHRA Top Sportsman Quick 8s, Runner-up once
• Ran four consecutive 200 MPH times when only one driver had run that fast previously

Blake Wiggins never envisioned bracket racing would carry him so far in drag racing. The Monroe, NC-based, roofing contractor ran an extremely quick Corvette, a manually-shifted car bearing the nickname “Wicked Wanda” in the IHRA’s Street Rod [later to be christened Top Sportsman] category and raced it every chance he could get at the local tracks around the Carolinas, when not on tour.

The Corvette gave way to an equally wicked Tommy Mauney-built Pontiac Trans-am, which along with his large cubic inch Gene Fulton engine, made it a fan favorite on both the big and little stage.

That popularity led to those Carolina-track operators requesting Wiggins to come to their tracks and match race against the others running, such as Michael Martin in this style of incredibly fast doorslammers. Then there came those Quick Eights in the southeast, then the national ones and before Wiggins knew, he had helped to pioneer the Pro Modified class.

“I knew Pro Modified was going to grow into something big, but nothing like we have today,” Wiggins admitted. “It grew worldwide and that’s larger than I ever imagined. When it took off it did so at a rapid rate. I believe it will continue to grow from what it is.”

Wiggins stepped away from Pro Modified in 2002, opting to change his life’s priorities and focus more on family and business.

“I’m a business person and I can envision trends in the business world, not saying that I’m any smarter than anyone else but I saw the dollars it was going to take to race at the top level getting out of control,” Wiggins said. “I was never one of those who raced just to race. I wanted to roll into the track knowing that I had as good of a chance to win as anyone out there. I have a good business but I was not willing to sacrifice that just to race. I guess I just got burned out and by that time drag racing became just another business to me.”

In the end, Wiggins walked away with memories and friendships that very few businesses could ever provide.

“The best thing I got out of my Pro Modified years was the people I met and became friends with,” Wiggins said. “The people I met in racing were some of the best people. I developed great friendships all over the country. And, I was lucky that I was involved with some extremely talented people. They helped me and I was appreciative for them.”

Wiggins attributes a great measure of his success to engine builder Fulton and chassis man Mauney, the only two to ever supply him in his years of racing fast. And while he’s had offers to come back, Wiggins is content to let others have the fun.

“I guess I have been there and done that, and really don’t have anything else to prove,” said Wiggins, who admits he still watches the Pro Modifieds at Rockingham. “I still like racing, but if you are going to do it, you ought to be able to put forth the 100-percent in anything you do, and if you can’t – you’re wasting not only your time but the others around you. At this point in my life I don’t see myself doing that. I’ve had some great offers. I just don’t have the time to devote the proper time it takes.”

For the complete list visit: ATTITUDE'S COMPETITIONPLUS.COM'S ALL-TIME TOP 20 HOMEPAGE

 

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