Three-time Pro Modified champion Mike Janis received unwelcomed news two years ago. His doctor, during an angiogram, a diagnostic test that uses x-rays to take pictures of the patient’s blood vessels, revealed a blockage. Two stints were inserted into the artery, and while the procedure put Janis on solid health ground, his doctor said he couldn’t drive a race car.

Today, in a statement released to the drag racing media, Janis confirmed he was returning to driving and will make the March 3-5, 2023 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Modified his first event back. He’s among over 40 drivers competing for the $100,000 winner-take-all prize at the outlaw eighth-mile event.

“It’s going to be a big event for me,” said Janis. “Not only is it going to be my first time back, but we’re also going to have a brand-new car and a whole different combination. But it’s not like we haven’t been involved all this time. I’m excited. I drove around 30 test passes last year, so I’ve been still sharp at it. It’s going to be fun.”

Janis’ team, spearheaded by son Mike Janis Jr., remained engaged in Pro Modified competition during his time on the sidelines, who’s fielding cars driven by J.R. Gray and Mike Thielen. Gray and Thielen have accepted invitations and will participate under the Janis banner during the weekend.

Janis plans to drive a 1968 Camaro, built by Jerry Bickel and cloaked with a body finished by Reese Brothers Race Cars. The team hasn’t determined whether their Jan-Cen 4.900 engine combination will utilize a Mike Janis Superchargers screw or roots unit.

While a good measure of the team plans remains undetermined, it is confirmed that Gray and Janis will run an outlaw combination they debuted at Bradenton Motorsports Park’s Snowbird Nationals last December.

“I think the clientele that’s coming here is the best of the best,” Janis said. “All these guys, I looked their names up, who they are. Some of them I don’t recognize, but you look them up, and they’ve won races before and they’ve been at it. It’s going to be a slugfest. It’s going to be good. It’s going to be like the old IHRA days to me. It’ll be a good time.”

Janis’s work will be cut out for him, primarily because of his own actions. His Mike Janis Superchargers brand put up a $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus, guaranteeing a moonshot effort will be needed to keep the money in his packet.

“I’m going to say the bump is going to be [eighth-mile] 3.69 or 3.70,” Janis said. “You’re gonna have to go low .60s to be a hitter. Consistency, even if we’re a little bit slower, is going to be the trick. Being there for every round and every qualifying round. We’ve always said consistency is where we’ve won a lot of races. And I’ve gotta drive.”