Both Series to race at Grand Bend and TMP’s Cayuga Dragway

Events for the upcoming Pro Modified Racing Association and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series have been established.

The Pro Modified teams testing in Bradenton, Fla., wrapped up their testing week with a score of eighth-mile runs.

Shannon Jenkings, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was the quickest of the week with a 3.869 at 193.59. He later turned in a 3.878, 193.59.

Rickie Smith ran a 3.947, 191.48 while his new teammate Troy Coughlin turned in a 3.969, 188.44.

To say Steve Matusek, President of Aeromotive, is excited about the upcoming 2010 NHRA season would be an understatement. Matusek envisions a very successful future brought about by a unique collaboration.

When his new Larry Larson built, 2010 Ford Mustang, destined for the GSA NHRA Pro Mod series, rolls onto the track with Roush-Yates Racing Engines emblazoned on the door panels, Matusek believes it will definitely turn heads.

Packed between the fenders will be an engine Matusek believes will be the most potent he’s ever had in his career. And, it will be chock full of NASCAR technology, aimed at taking the newest NHRA professional division, Pro Modified, to the next level and then some.

Rarely in racing do things go exactly according to plan.

Spiro Pappas knows that first hand.

At the beginning of last season, Pappas couldn’t do much of anything right while competing in the ADRL Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 class. He had a couple of runs end with his car in flames and he had no consistency in his performance.

In August, Pappas’ car caught fire during a testing run at Route 66 Raceway in Joilet, Ill. A seal failure caused a fire at the 1/8 mile mark, burning the entire front end, destroying the passenger side door, all the wiring forward of the firewall, and the fuel lines.

Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, through the assistance of a key group of Pro Modified historians and enthusiasts, has 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 8, 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. 13 on the list.

Professional engine assembler needed in beautiful South Central PA area. Race Engine Shop with an International clientele has a position available for an Experienced Racing Engine builder. 

This is not an entry level position. Only professionals with a positive attitude and excellent attendance history need apply. 

Kurt Busch knows his spirit is willing. He’s just hoping the rest of the details can catch up.

The NASCAR icon, who has flirted with the idea of licensing in a Pro Stocker through drag racing school instructor Roy Hill, paused for a moment on Wednesday afternoon to sign his newly-acquired NHRA Super Gas license.

Busch was at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., completing his licensing runs under the guidance of Hill.

“Roy Hill and his school put me through the rigors today,” said Busch, who drove a 180-mph Top Sportsman-style Mustang. “He’s pounded on me to the point when I stand up; I am a few inches shorter. This has been an awesome experience and Roy’s way of teaching reminds me a lot of my dad when I was first getting started in oval track racing.”

A handful of Pro Modified teams are in Badenton, Fla., this weekend getting in some test time before their respective season openers in March.

Standing at the starting line at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Michael Cherniack was screaming at the top of his lungs, fists flying in the air, early Sunday evening. At the other end of the track, his daughter, Jessica, knew she'd made a really good pass in the family's Top Alcohol Funny Car. Dad knew how good, Jessica did not.

When she found out “the tears flowed.”

Jessica's first ever pass into the 5-second territory, 5.985 at 240.18 mph, was the reason behind the celebration. Not bad for a rookie driver and a rookie chassis and engine tuner.

“It felt so amazing,” Jessica imparted when asked about the run. “I cried. I was doing good until the guys came, but once they came the tears started flowing.”

Cherniack had a feeling the run was a good one and had a chance of being sub six seconds.

Steve Torrence’s NHRA media guide information lists hunting as one of his hobbies, and its season happens to come at a time when the Top Fuel driver from Kilgore, Texas has some spare time.

“Over the last few years, I’ve become an avid hunter,” he said.  “I started hunting with my friends.  My dad didn’t hunt at all, but last year I took him hunting for the first time.  I like spending time in the woods; it’s life at its simplest . . . and that’s an enjoyable experience for me.”

It is, however, the antithesis of the sights, smells and booming sounds found only during the fast-paced action at the drag track.  That quieter, simpler life is about to change for Torrence.