Less than 24 hours after Shannon Jenkins drove his Reher-Morrison-powered GTO to the quickest nitrous-assisted Pro Modified pass in IHRA history during the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, NC, Jim Halsey lowered it another .006 to a 6.071 in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. The difference: Halsey utilizes Gene Fulton horsepower, and has become the Spartanburg, SC-based engine builder’s flagship hot rod since Jenkins’ and Mike Castellana’s defection to the Reher-Morrison camp.

“That 6.0 run was something we have been trying to do for a long time,” Halsey said. “Normally we’re pretty upset when we lose a race, but we’re thrilled to leave here as the quickest nitrous car on the planet.” 

The competition between the two engine builders has been intensifying throughout the season, culminating in the back and forth performance battle we saw this season. Will it continue in 2008? That depends on both teams’ plans for next season, which are up in the air right now. Castellana, who is in attendance this weekend as a spectator, has already sold his Jerry Haas-built ’07 Mustang overseas. Jenkins’ GTO is sold as well, and will be delivered now that the season is over. What the team is building and where they plan to run is a subject they have kept close to the vest.

Another interesting fact about the records is that they were both set in the heat of the day rather than in the mineshaft conditions the Rockingham night sessions usually provide.