Former series champions Josh Hernandez, Jay Payne, and Mike Ashley will lead a talented group of 24 Pro Modified racers into the 39th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. The historic race, which runs from March 13-16, marks the start of the 10-race JEGS ProMod Challenge.

"The response from the racers and the fans since JEGS took over title sponsorship of the series has been phenomenal," series organizer and racer Troy Coughlin said. "It's already very clear to us that we made the right move getting involved with this popular form of drag racing. The exciting thing is we're just getting started."

Reigning champ Hernandez, '06 titlist Payne, and two-time series winner Ashley will be joined by former national event winners Coughlin, Rick Stivers, Tim Tindle, Dan Rowe, Tony Pontieri, Shelly Payne, and Harold Laird. There is also a hungry group of up-and-coming racers intent on making their mark in the 2008 JEGS ProMod Challenge, including Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso, Steve Engel, Tom Gray, Roger Johansson, Mike Knowles, Kirk Kuhns, George Landis, Taylor Lastor, Brad Personette, Scott Ray, John Russo, Carl Spiering, and Eddie Ware.

"I believe we've put together a very formidable field," said Scott Woodruff, Director of Motorsports Marketing for JEGS Mail Order. "I appreciate the cooperation and support the racers have shown us in this transitional phase and the fact we've put together 24 of the best Pro Mod racers in the world in a week's time speaks volumes of the enthusiastic backing we're getting from the participants.

"We're putting the full might of a 48-year-old company behind this effort and our hope is that we raise the profile of this style of racing to new heights in the coming year. The bottom line is this -- people love these racecars and we intend to show them off to the best of our abilities under the guidelines we have to work with. It's going to be a great season and we can't thank NHRA enough for allowing us to race as an exhibition class at their events."

JEGS ProMod Challenge races will take place during NHRA national events in Gainesville, Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Bristol, Englishtown, Indianapolis, Dallas, Richmond, and Las Vegas in 2008.

• Mike Ashley
• Jay Payne
• Josh Hernandez
• Shelly Payne
• Troy Coughlin
• Tim Tindle
• Rick Stivers
• Scott Ray
• Roger Burgess 
• Danny Rowe 
• Kirk Kuhns
• Mike Knowles
• Tony Pontieri
• Raymond Commisso
• Steve Engel
• John Russo
• Brad Personette
• Harold Laird
• Roger Johansson FIA champion
• Taylor Lastor
• George Landis
• Tom Gray
• Eddie Ware
• Carl Spiering