2010 NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS - GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD NOTEBOOK
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
SUNDAY NOTEBOOK - SMITH WAS THE CLASS OF THE FIELD IN ROUTE TO HIS NHRA GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD WIN AT GATEWAY
Von Smith was able to race his way to victory over a tough class of NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series entrants during the event at Gateway International Raceway.Smith got around the No. 1 qualifier Danny Rowe in the second round and from there made it into the finals where he out powered Dennis Radford for the win. Smith posted a run at 5.933-seconds at 243.81 mph to the losing run of Radford at 6.088-seconds at 233.44 mph. This was the first win for Smith in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
“I hope that is the first of many and it is a blessing to have everything go as good as it did,” said Smith following the race. “It’s a dream come true for us as we want to get back on track and we’ve had our back against the wall for some time and it’s worked out really well.”
The NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series continues May 14-16 at Commerce, Ga.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
Final round-by-round results from the 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Von Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.958, 241.97 def. Rick Stivers, Dodge Stratus, 7.511, 128.05; Tony Pontieri, Camaro, 11.026, 68.61 def. Scott Ray, Chevy Corvette, foul; Dennis Radford, Plymouth Duster, 6.060, 232.47 def. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 7.498, 132.69; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.538, 199.64 def. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 15.599, 49.03; Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 9.135, 101.07 def. Tim Tindle, Shelby Mustang, broke; Joe Baker, Firebird, 5.990, 238.22 def. Brad Personett, Camaro, 5.955, 248.75; Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.705, 159.51 def. Jay Payne, Camaro, 9.838, 89.62; Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.925, 245.76 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.009, 235.56;
QUARTERFINALS -- Coughlin, 5.963, 236.55 def. Pontieri, 8.254, 112.18; Lang, 6.082, 239.36 def.
Janis, 6.319, 209.56; Radford, 6.074, 232.75 def. Baker, 6.097, 213.23; V. Smith, 5.936, 243.85 def. Rowe, 5.972, 244.65;
SEMIFINALS -- Radford, 6.387, 202.48 def. Coughlin, 6.595, 209.98; V. Smith, 5.948, 243.68 def.
Lang, 6.040, 229.82;
FINAL -- V. Smith, 5.933, 243.81 def. Radford, 6.088, 233.44.
Point standings (top 10) for Pro Modified following the 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway.
Pro Modified
1. Kenny Lang, 176; 2. Von Smith, 175; 3. Joe Baker, 172; 4. Danny Rowe, 171; 5. Jay Payne, 156; 6. Troy Coughlin, 150; 7. Melanie Troxel, 143; 8. Tony Pontieri, 141; 9. Dennis Radford, 140; 10. Tim Tindle, 129.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
SATURDAY NOTEBOOK - ROWE EARNS PRO MOD NO. 1 QUALIFIER; WINS FIRST ROUND OF ELIMINATIONS
Danny Rowe held onto his No.1 qualifying position on Saturday and started eliminations from the top position for the first time in his NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series career. The 47 year old Rowe got his car down the track at 5.945-seconds at 241.76 mph in qualifying to take the top spot. Rowe was able to parlay that qualifying position into a first round win over the No. 16 qualifier, Mike Castellana. Rowe posted a run of 5.925-seconds at 245.76 mph to the losing run of Castellana.
“First round is nerve racking for everybody and you want to get it out of the way,” said Rowe.” “We knew that as long as we left with him or left close with him we were going to be able to run with him and that is what happening and we are really excited about it.”
Eliminations will continue on Sunday.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
First-round pairings for eliminations Saturday for the 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Pro Modified -- 1. Danny Rowe, Chevy Camaro, 5.945, 244.69 vs. 16. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.106, 233.88; 2. Jay Payne, Camaro, 5.957, 240.68 vs. 15. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.103, 234.66; 3. Brad Personett, Camaro, 5.970, 250.88 vs. 14. Joe Baker, Pontiac Firebird, 6.067, 237.42; 4. Mike Janis, Firebird, 5.981, 241.37 vs. 13. Tim Tindle, Shelby Mustang, 6.037, 235.56; 5. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 5.988, 240.17 vs. 12. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 6.028, 243.11; 6. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.002, 239.10 vs. 11. Dennis Radford, Plymouth Duster, 6.020, 235.64; 7. Tony Pontieri, Camaro, 6.003, 240.04 vs. 10. Scott Ray, Corvette, 6.012, 235.51; 8. Rick Stivers, Dodge Stratus, 6.008, 239.57 vs. 9. Von Smith, Camaro, 6.011, 240.38.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Raymond Commisso, 6.114, 238.93; 18. Mike Knowles, 6.114, 238.60; 19. Melanie Troxel, 6.137, 238.68; 20. Chip King, 6.183, 234.09; 21. Khalid Balooshi, 6.198, 216.13; 22. Rickie Smith, 6.539, 183.39.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
| |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
First round results from the 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE -- Von Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.958, 241.97 def. Rick Stivers, Dodge Stratus, 7.511, 128.05; Tony Pontieri, Camaro, 11.026, 68.61 def. Scott Ray, Chevy Corvette, foul; Dennis Radford, Plymouth Duster, 6.060, 232.47 def. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 7.498, 132.69; Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.538,
199.64 def. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 15.599, 49.03; Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 9.135, 101.07 def. Tim Tindle, Shelby Mustang, broke; Joe Baker, Firebird, 5.990, 238.22 def. Brad Personett, Camaro, 5.955, 248.75; Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.705, 159.51 def. Jay Payne, Camaro, 9.838, 89.62; Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.925, 245.76 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.009, 235.56.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
 |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
FRIDAY NOTEBOOK - ROWE SECURES TOP QUALIFYING POSITION IN NHRA GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES QUALIFYING AT AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS
Danny Rowe continues his hot start to the year as he secured the No. 1 qualifying position during action in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series on Friday. Rowe comes off his win at Houston and posted a 5.955-second run at 244.69 mph to nab the top spot.If he retains the No. 1 qualifying position going into eliminations it would be the first one of his NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series career.
Currents point’s leader Melanie Troxel, sits 16th in the field at 6.136-seconds at 238.mph
The Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues qualifying on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with eliminations starting at 4 p.m. Eliminations will continue on Sunday.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
| |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
Results Friday after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 14th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway.
Pro Modified -- 1. Danny Rowe, Chevy Camaro, 5.955, 244.69; 2. Jay Payne, Camaro, 5.957, 240.68; 3. Mike Janis, Pontiac Firebird, 5.981, 241.37; 4. Brad Personett, Camaro, 5.994, 250.27; 5. Tony Pontieri, Camaro, 6.003, 240.04; 6. Dennis Radford, Plymouth Duster, 6.020, 235.64; 7. Ed Hoover, Camaro, 6.025, 239.10; 8. Roger Burgess, Chevy Corvette, 6.028, 243.11; 9. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.033, 240.17; 10. Tim Tindle, Shelby Mustang, 6.037, 235.56; 11. Scott Ray, Corvette, 6.037, 235.51; 12. Joe Baker, Firebird, 6.067, 237.42; 13. Rick Stivers, Dodge Stratus, 6.111, 235.10; 14. Raymond Commisso, Camaro, 6.114, 238.93; 15. Mike Knowles, Corvette, 6.114, 238.60; 16. Melanie Troxel, Corvette, 6.137, 238.68. Not Qualified: 17. Khalid Balooshi, 6.198, 192.06; 18. Mike Castellana, 6.626, 155.38; 19. Von Smith, 6.711, 159.16; 20. Rickie Smith, 7.089, 144.41; 21. Chip King, 7.526, 129.54; 22. Troy Coughlin, 8.370, 104.05.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
| |
Click to visit our sponsor's website
THURSDAY NOTEBOOK -
LOOKING FOR A THIRD - Danny Rowe made a fast turnaround to his race program following an uncharacteristic DNQ at the season-opening NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway in mid-March.
What a difference a few weeks can make.
In early April, he raced to victory at Houston Raceway Park and with his NHRA Wally in hand, served notice that he intends to be a player in the world championship title chase in NHRA’s newest touring series.
The veteran Laguna Hills, Calif. driver qualified third at Houston in his Sterling Bridge ’68 Camaro and defeated versatile multi-category competitor Melanie Troxel in the final round, which vaulted him from the very bottom of the point standings into the top five.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with this Sterling Bridge team,” Rowe said following the race. “As always, it takes a team effort to win out here with this level of competition … we had a little luck on our side, that’s for sure, but I think you have to when you’re racing against the caliber of cars and teams that we have out here.”
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’63 Corvettes, ’68 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs, ’68 Firebirds as well as late model cars, the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.
Mix in an incredible amount of driving talent that in addition to Rowe and Troxel includes Burton Auxier, Joe Baker, Gainesville winner Kenny Lang, Jay Payne, Mike Knowles, Troy Coughlin, Tim Tindle, Ed Hoover, Ray Commisso and Roger Burgess, just to name a few, and you have the set up for what promises to be an incredible shootout for the series crown.
“You look at the qualifying sheets and it’s mind-blowing,” Rowe said. “The cars out here are the best in the world and the competition is insane. Every Pro Mod car that rolls through the gates is capable of winning – they’re all championship contenders.”
Sitting fourth in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series point standings following his Houston victory, Rowe is looking forward to continuing his advance toward the top spot during the Pro Mod portion of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis, April 30-May 2. The race will be televised on ESPN2 HD on May 9 at 10 a.m. (ET).
Rowe has won twice in NHRA Pro Mod exhibition racing at the southern Illinois multi-motorsports complex near the Mississippi River and within view of the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch. In 2001 he was the No. 1 qualifier and beat Ed Hoover in the final round. In 2004, he outran Von Smith for the victory.
In order to win this time he’ll have to face current series points leader Troxel, who pilots the In-N-Out ’68 Corvette, as well as ’09 GIR Pro Mod exhibition winner Burgess, who now drives a 2005 Corvette.
Given the Houston performance, Rowe feels confident in his team’s chances this season.
“I was talking to Jimmy (Rector, crew chief) and I told him that I really think we have a great program this year,” Rowe said. “The car is running great, everyone is working hard and you never know – this might be our year.”
But, given the level of talent in this new series, he remains very modest at the same time.
“You can go from a hero to a zero real fast in this deal,” Rowe said. “So we’ve got to stick to our game plan of taking each race one round at a time.
same quarter-mile racetrack he'll be piloting this weekend when the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series competes at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. For the 53-year-old Kentucky native, that moment in time changed his life forever.Last year during a qualifying run, the studs on the rear axle broke during a qualifying run, directing Stivers' car into the left retaining wall at an almost 90-degree angle. After a hard crash, the car tipped onto its front end
and rolled once, sliding to a stop in the center of the track - right-side up.
"I still remember seeing the wall coming up in front of me like it was slow motion and thinking, 'ok, I'm going to hit it, I just have to keep the car from rolling over.' That was just before I slammed into the wall and rolled down the track," Stivers recalled.
Through the miracles of modern safety equipment, Stivers walked away from the crash without a scratch, despite the complete destruction of the '06 Dodge Stratus Pro Mod fielded by veteran drag racer and tuner Brad Anderson. The incident did, however, leave a scar on Stivers' psyche. "I'll never be the same," he said.
"That was really a turning point for me in a lot of ways. I wasn't injured other than the obvious strained muscles and bruises, but I really had to work through the mental side of things. It really shook me up. I did get back in the car later in the year, and was able to even win a race thanks to my family's support and this amazing team. But it still took me a while to really balance out what happened and just why I was able to get away with one."
This weekend, Stivers is looking to make a jump back into the points chase at the same track that took him out of contention for a championship last year - and he's determined to make a statement along the way.
"I'm a changed man since that crash. I don't get quite as worked up about things as I used to, and I put a lot more time into my family and my new grand daughter. I am still, though, a fierce competitor, through and through - and I'm in this race to win a championship.
"Trane has been my sponsor for the past two years, and their saying goes, 'it's hard to stop a Trane' - and that pretty much says it for me, too," Stivers said.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
