If 2008 is an indication of what 2009 will bring, Chevrolet IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock driver John Montecalvo is ready to start the new season next weekend. The veteran driver from New York’s Long Island capped his 2008 season with an impressive win and runner-up in Rockingham, N.C., one in the finals of the IHRA World Finals and the other in the rain-delayed $50,000-to-win Pro Stock Showdown.

Not to be overshadowed is a season that produced two victories in four final rounds. A handful of semi-final finishes added to the strong point total.

The end result was a third place finish in the championship, a mere 26 points from first place. Throw out the IHRA’s Last Man Standing points which rewards winning qualifying runs and the championship would have been Montecalvo’s. If 2008 is an indication of what 2009 will bring, Chevrolet IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock driver John Montecalvo is ready to start the new season next weekend. The veteran driver from New York’s Long Island capped his 2008 season with an impressive win and runner-up in Rockingham, N.C., one in the finals of the IHRA World Finals and the other in the rain-delayed $50,000-to-win Pro Stock Showdown.

Not to be overshadowed is a season that produced two victories in four final rounds. A handful of semi-final finishes added to the strong point total.

The end result was a third place finish in the championship, a mere 26 points from first place. Throw out the IHRA’s Last Man Standing points which rewards winning qualifying runs and the championship would have been Montecalvo’s.

“This is what it’s all about,” Montecalvo said. “We fought right down to the end for every single point we earned. There are no gimmes when you get into a tough class like IHRA Pro Stock. When you line up against competition like Pete Berner, Jeff Dobbins and Frank Gugliotta and not to mention the other drivers, anyone who can qualify in this class is capable of winning.

“If you negate the Last Man Standing bonus and just count eliminations points we were the best car on Sunday.”

Montecalvo knows all too well to maintain this level of competition one has to stick to a strict regimen of off-season testing. He’s planning numerous tests starting as early as Thanksgiving weekend at a number of facilities stretching from as far north as Southern Georgia to West Palm Beach, Florida.

There will be no long winter's nap for Montecalvo and his relentless team. Together they inspire a championship effort.

“It was a collective team effort for us,” Montecalvo said. “I want to thank my wife Lois Anne and crew Tom Sevier and William Cavallo.  I really want to give special thanks to Sonny Leonard and his right hand man Herb Bailey, Pat Norcia from Ram Clutches, Dave Braswell and his race representative Doug Schriefer and Rick Jones for building a great car.

“I am looking forward to next year and hopefully 2009 will be our best ever.”