Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com all but engraved a tombstone with their off-season article with past and present players in the Pro Street game question asking if the class had seen its better days. This past weekend proved the reports of Pro Street’s death had been greatly exaggerated.

Twenty Pro Street entries participated in the recently completed NMCA opener in Bradenton, Florida. This represented the largest car count at an event.

These were not just “leaker” and “filler” cars either.

“There were a ton of fast cars at this race,” said runner-up Steve King who debuted his new blown and injected Camaro at the race. Fast was an understatement. With a bump spot of 6.79, held by Kenny Voss, it was the quickest field in the history of the class.

Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com all but engraved a tombstone with their off-season article with past and present players in the Pro Street game question asking if the class had seen its better days. This past weekend proved the reports of Pro Street’s death had been greatly exaggerated.

Twenty Pro Street entries participated in the recently completed NMCA opener in Bradenton, Florida. This represented the largest car count at an event.

These were not just “leaker” and “filler” cars either.

“There were a ton of fast cars at this race,” said runner-up Steve King who debuted his new blown and injected Camaro at the race. Fast was an understatement. With a bump spot of 6.79, held by Kenny Voss, it was the quickest field in the history of the class. 

“There wasn’t a slow car there. Everyone who was there had a shot to win the race. It’s now a matter of if they all decide to run the whole series. I hope they do,” said King.

“We all liked what we saw,” added former champion Steve Miller.
“It was one of, if not, the best Pro Street race I’ve ever competed in,” he added. “However everyone knows that one successful race doesn’t mean it’s time to jump up and down heralding the return of Pro Street. There’s still a lot of racing to be done and the season-opening event of any race series always draws more cars. Yet success breeds success and the racers of Scorpion Performance know that. And because of the strong field of cars in attendance in Florida, hopes are now higher.”

Vinny Budano was one of the three subjects interviewed for the article. He was reserved in his outlook regarding the future of Pro Street.

“I think we’ll see a lot of these guys come along now,” said Budano, the defending world champion. “I think the new guys saw what kind of competition this class is capable of and that’s attractive to them. I know it is to me,” he said. “I hope they stick with it as the year goes on,” he added.

Randall Haynes raced through last year’s lean season and was glad to see the turnout.

“Oh yeah, I’m happy to see these guys here. It makes for good racing for us and the fans.”

Tony Bischoff, who won the final season championship of NMRA Pro 5.0, said he felt the Bradenton was no fluke.

“I know of a couple racers local to me which will be coming out this year who were not in Florida,” said Bischoff. “We’ll probably not have all the same cars that were there, but when you add the ones I know who are coming and then add them to the rest of us, we’ll continue to see strong car counts at the upcoming events. I think the rules are very good which helps. There were several cars that ran in the 6.40’s and .50’s which means things are pretty tight out there.

“People kept telling me that there were more than 20-cars registered for this race, but I didn’t think we’d have near that many. I was astounded to see them there. It was a great sight to see. Add to that that the top 12 cars were separated by less than 1.5 tenths and that shows a really tough field of cars,” said Bischoff, who ran low e.t. of the event with a 6.37.

With former NSCA champion Jarod Wenrick, and Brian Robbins saying they’ll be competing at the second event of the season in Bowling Green, Ky., next month, the class appears to be holding its own early in the season.