EVENT NEWS EVENT NOTEBOOK GSA PRO MOD POINTS AFTER EVENT ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS FINAL ROUND RESULTS			EVENT GALLERY

SUNDAY FINAL - COMMISSO WINS QUICKEST SIDE-BY-SIDE PRO MOD RACE

 
Sunday started with the looming question of whether or not there would be any racing at all in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge because of heavy clouds and intermittent sprinkles of rain at the United Association NHRA SuperNationals, but after a delay of nearly an hour to dry the racing surface and start racing, the sun burned off the fog and the track conditions at Raceway Park ripened to a day that crew chiefs and drivers only dream of. It will long be remembered as one of the best days ever in Pro Modified competition.
 
Records fell nearly every lap down the track, and just when you thought it couldn't get any better or quicker, it did. In the end, R2B2 Racing driver Raymond Commisso came out on the very top - qualifying number one, setting the world record for quickest-ever Pro Mod ET at 5.856 seconds, and ultimately winning the event in the quickest-ever side-by-side race.
 
Commisso took top qualifying honors on Saturday with a 5.894 at 244.60 mph, and the Toronto, Canada-based restaurant owner never looked back. His first round of eliminations netted a 5.896 over local-favorite Dave Hance, and in round two he took the line 22 inches in front of Mike Knowles who set a personal-best mark of 5.929 at 242.80 mph to Commisso's quicker 5.894 at 244.83 mph.
 
In the semifinals, Commisso was paired with 'Tombstone' Tommy Gray who had been burning up the track all weekend, posting 5.882 and 5.917-second efforts in eliminations and flirting with claiming the Pro Mod Challenge record himself. The hype of what looked to be a monster matchup, however, quickly disappeared as Gray suffered engine problems and coasted down the track, watching Commisso deliver a sizzling 5.881-second performance and step into the finals where he would meet Danny Rowe.
 
Rowe qualified No 3 with a 5.927 at 242.63 mph, and had a solo run of 5.952 at 244.16 in round one when Vinnie Budano failed to make the call. Second round, Rowe dispatched Tim Tindle 5.926 to 5.996, and then took out Al-Anabi nitrous-heavy hitter 'Tricky' Rickie Smith, 5.923 at 243.15 mph to Smith's injured and limping 6.303 at 193.71 mph.
 
Because of the initial weather delays and several oil-downs and accidents in other classes, the final round was run at just after 9 p.m. - long past the 7:30 p.m. Old Bridge Township local curfew. The air had cooled but the track kept its heat from the day’s sunshine, and the conditions were perfect for setting records.
 
Commisso took a slight starting-line advantage and pulled away from Rowe for the win and the National ET record, scoring an amazing 5.856 at 245.58 mph to Rowe's best effort of the weekend and new personal-best of 5.899 at 243.94 mph.
 
"What can I say," Commisso asked as he reveled in the day. "Everything just lined up for us today, and Al [Billes, crew chief] and all the team did an amazing job of tuning this car.
 
"Every lap just kept getting better and better, and when we reached the finals and I saw the win light come on, there aren't words to describe how I felt. It has been since 2006 that I've been racing in NHRA competition, and this is my very first win - and it feels wonderful.  
 
"I have to thank Roger Burgess for giving me this opportunity and for putting together such an awesome team - everything is first class and the very best. He is such an amazing man and has become such a close friend and mentor to me. I'm forever grateful," Commisso said.
 
Brad Personett turned the fastest speed ever for a Pro Mod and the quickest-ever ET for a turbo-powered car at 5.959-seconds at a whopping 251.34 mph in his losing-effort against Tommy Gray in the first round.
 
For the nitrous fraternity, Al-Anabi/Speedtech/Western Beef driver Mike Castellana turned in the quickest-ever nitrous pass of 5.942 at 237.21 mph in his first-round loss to Mike Knowles.
 
Also notable, Melanie Troxel gave fans a glimpse at the unpredictable and thrilling side of Pro Mod racing, making a spectacular save in her first eliminations round in the R2B2 Racing Voodoo '63 Corvette, quickly recovering from a hard dive to the right when the tires shook at the hit of the throttle. She lifted and coasted past the finish line, disappointed with the loss but glad she was able to react and keep the car from damage.
 
 
Official Points standings After Six of Ten events
 
1 Burton Auxier 434
2 Mike Castellana 409
3 Danny Rowe 368
4 Raymond Commisso 365
5 Roger Burgess 354
6 Joe Baker 352
7 Tim Tindle 322
8 Jay Payne 305
9 Brad Personett 258
10 Mike Knowles 231
11 Taylor Lastor 200
11 Rick Stivers 200
13 Harold Laird 155
14 Kenny Lang 140
15 Rickie Smith 125
16 Tommy Gray 85
17 Chip King 67
18 Andy McCoy 63
18 Kirk Wilmes 63
20 Billy Gibson 42
21 Melanie Troxel 32
22 Vinny Budano 31
22 David Hance 31
22 Frank Patille 31
25 George Landis 10

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SATURDAY NOTEBOOK - COMMISSO LANDS ATOP NHRA PRO MOD QUALIFYING

Just before the clouds opened up with a deluge that would force the cancelation of racing for the day in the United Association NHRA SuperNationals, the cars of the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge treated the crowds at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park to one of the very best qualifying sessions ever, featuring a possible record-setting ET, the quickest-ever nitrous run, and the quickest-ever side-by-side pass in Pro Mod.
 
In the quickest side-by-side run ever, R2B2 Racing Raymond Commisso took the number one spot with a mind-blowing 5.894 at 244.60 mph, with Matco Tools/Lend America driver Joe Baker running right alongside with a smoking 5.911 at 244.83 mph. Commisso obliterated the Raceway Park Pro Mod Challenge track record and can possibly claim the Challenge record if he is able to run a 5.953 or quicker during eliminations.
 
Commisso said, "As I watched all of the cars go down the track in front of me, I kept getting more and more excited. I saw my teammate Melanie [Troxel] run a 6.03, and then Roger [Burgess] hit a 5.94, and I knew that we'd do great.
 
"I think the car hiked the front-end up until at least the eighth-mile, then I shifted and it picked right back up again, and then again when I hit third. The track was there, the conditions were there, and Al [Billes, crew chief] and the guys gave me a car that was anxious to make a run like that.  If the conditions are even close to what we had today, we should be able to back that up for sure, if not go even lower."
 
Rickie Smith accomplished the magnificent feat of running the quickest nitrous-powered run ever, even outpacing outlaw records. His blast of 5.951 at 237.67 mph broke the record of 5.963-seconds set in 2008 by Mike Castellana in Richmond, Va. as well as the 5.958-second outlaw record set in 2008 by Jim Halsey at the Shakedown at E-town at Raceway Park.  However pleased with his fortune on Saturday, Smith was quick to pass kudos along to his teammate Castellana.
 
"Don't go writing any record book entries just yet, this weekend is far from over and I know that Mike will be amped up and ready to go tomorrow. Their car can definitely run the numbers, too.
 
"The track was really solid and we just got a great hold of it today. These nitrous cars like some humidity in the air - it helps us run, so I'm feeling pretty good about tomorrow, too, given the rain stays away," Smith added.
 
In all, the top half of the 16-car field was all in the five-second zone, and the top 12 were 6.10-seconds or better. Brad Personett took top mph honors with his 246.53 mph blast that landed him in the 13th spot (6.252 seconds). His speed is the fourth-fastest Pro Mod speed in Challenge history.
 
Danny Rowe ran his Jimmy Rector-tuned Camaro to the third spot with a 5.927 at 242.63 mph, Tommy Gray blasted to fourth with a 5.933 at 242.71 mph, Jay Payne took fifth at 5.941 seconds, Roger Burgess was sixth at 5.945 seconds, and Rickie Smith and Mike Castellana were seventh and eighth at 5.951- and 5.996-second runs, respectively.
 
In the bottom half of the roster, Mike Knowles drive his B&J Transmissions/Knowles Enterprises entry to a stout 6.026-seconds at 239.40 mph, Melanie Troxel improved considerably to a 6.034 at 240.47 mph to take tenth, and Tim Tindle grabbed No. 11 with a 6.058 at a limping 210.64 mph. Current points leader Burton Auxier struggled in the first round and ran a 6.103 at 209.95 mph, shutting off early to avoid any possible engine damage as he was looking to find some "gremlins" that had been plaguing him recently.
 
Brad Personett landed No 13 in his Big 3 Turbo Camaro, Vinnie Budano took 14th with a 6.308 at 222.73 mph, Frank Patille was 15th with a 6.41 at 226.81 mph, and Dave Hance took the bump at 9.278-seconds.
 
With possible showers still in the forecast and the promise of high humidity almost guaranteed, Sunday's outlook is mixed. The current schedule is to run Pro Mod after the second round of nitro cars, and then run out the event, weather permitting.
 
Final Qualifying Order

1 Raymond Commisso 5.894 244.60
2 Joe Baker 5.911 244.83
3 Danny Rowe 5.927 242.63
4 Tommy Gray 5.933 242.71
5 Jay Payne 5.941 240.89
6 Roger Burgess 5.945 242.84
7 Rickie Smith 5.951 237.67
8 Mike Castellana 5.996 235.47
9 Mike Knowles 6.026 239.40
10 Melanie Troxel 6.034 240.47
11 Tim Tindle 6.058 210.64
12 Burton Auxier 6.103 209.95
13 Brad Personett 6.252 246.53
14 Vinny Budano 6.308 222.73
15 Frank Patille 6.41 226.81
16 David Hance 9.278 96.14 

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FRIDAY NOTEBOOK - BAKER LEADS PRO MOD QUALIFYING

The early morning rain and fog forced NHRA officials to limit the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge's qualifying attempts to a lone round, but when the sun burned off the clouds and the Pro Mods hit the track at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, they were steaming hot. After 16 of the best cars in the world had run, the top nine posted a 6.09 or better with the top four in the five-second zone and Joe Baker's Matco Tools/Lend America '68 Camaro on the provisional pole with a sizzling 5.946/242.63.
 
'Tombstone' Tommy Gray came out of the gate first pair with a rocket-fast pass of 5.988/240.59 in his Undertaker '68 Camaro, and the crew chiefs in the lanes started salivating, knowing what the track would hold. Gray ended up in the No. 3 spot, being bumped back by Topeka runner-up Jay Payne at 5.97/240.04.
 
Hometown favorite Mike Castellana made the nitrous fans proud, delivering a 5.996/235.47 to take the No. 4 spot in his Al-Anabi/Western Beef entry. Western Beef sponsored the Pro Mod Hospitality Zone for the race this weekend, providing meals for all of the racers and their teams on each of the three days of the event.
 
Also performing well from the Al-Anabi stable were Rickie Smith at 6.017/235.60 taking the No 6. Spot and current points leader Burton Auxier who delivered a 6.103/209.95 and landed tenth. Auxier's '67 Camaro banged the motor around 1000-feet, but the Dixie, West Virginia racer was hard at work after the round replacing the motor with a new 800 cubic inch bullet from Reher-Morrison.
 
Nitro racer Melanie Troxel made her Pro Mod debut with a smooth and clean 6.164/237.17 to take the twelfth spot in the R2B2 Racing Voodoo '63 Corvette. Troxel said, "We wanted to go out and just get a good, safe lap in, and that's exactly what we did. I wasn't trying to set records with that run, just get down the track.
 
"Tomorrow, though, we'll get things really moving and see what we can do," she said.
 
Troxel's teammates Raymond Commisso and Roger Burgess both scored well, Commisso taking fifth at 6.002/241.50 and Burgess landing lucky seventh at 6.018/242.23.
 
Danny Rowe ran a 6.038/242.28 to take eighth, Mike Knowles ran 6.09/238.34 in his B&J Transmissions '63 Corvette and claimed the ninth spot, and Topeka winner Tim Tindle struggled in his '67 Shelby Mustang to the eleventh spot with a 6.146/205.26, blowing a motor on the way.
 
Local-area racer Frank Patille sits thirteenth, and just behind him, Hicksville, New York's Vinnie Budano fourteenth, both running in the 6.40-second range. Turbo racers Dave Hance and Brad Personett both struggled to get their monster horsepower to the ground and are No.'s 15 and 16 to round out the session.
 
The final round of qualifying is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, with eliminations slated to begin at 5 p.m. Saturday evening and conclude Sunday afternoon.
 
 
AGATE:
 
1 Joe Baker 5.946/242.63
2 Jay Payne 5.970/240.04
3 Tommy Gray 5.988/240.59
4 Mike Castellana 5.996/235.47
5 Raymond Commisso 6.002/241.5
6 Rickie Smith 6.017/235.60
7 Roger Burgess 6.018/242.23
8 Danny Rowe 6.038/242.28
9 Mike Knowles 6.090/238.34
10 Burton Auxier 6.103/209.95
11 Tim Tindle 6.146/205.26
12 Melanie Troxel 6.164/237.17
13 Frank Patille 6.410/226.81
14 Vinny Budano 6.468/217.67
15 David Hance 9.278/96.14
16 Brad Personett 12.578/84.80

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WEDNESDAY NOTEBOOK - TROXEL WILL MAKE PRO MOD DEBUT THIS WEEKEND

She holds the honor of being the quickest woman in NHRA history, and most recently graced the seat of a nitro-burning Funny Car, but this weekend, Melanie Troxel will make her debut behind the wheel of an alcohol-burning supercharged Pro Mod, driving for Roger Burgess' R2B2 Racing as part of the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge presented by ProCare Rx as they compete in Englishtown, New Jersey at the United Association NHRA SuperNationals.
 
Sitting on the sidelines since last November due to lack of sponsorship funding, Troxel said she is "very anxious to get back behind the wheel in competition.
 
"It's been a tough year sitting out, watching everyone else race, it's exciting to get in the car and get back out and get to make some passes," Troxel said. "We've been out testing a couple times with the Pro Mods and just recently in the Voodoo Corvette that I'll be driving this weekend.
 
"I feel really comfortable in the car and I'm very excited to get out there and race," she said.
 
"I had driven an alcohol Funny Car and alcohol Dragster quite a few years ago, so I thought there would be a lot of similarities between those cars and a Pro Mods, and there are mechanically - shifting, doing a lot of that stuff - but I was surprised at the difference from the alcohol cars and the Pro Mod. There's always a learning curve involved any time you move from the different classes, and it's taken me a little re-programming to get used to what the car is telling me.
 
"I've most recently come from the nitro cars that make a ton of horsepower, but they also make a lot of down-force to use all the power, and in contrast, the Pro Mod cars kind of have the feeling of being really light and loose on the track. They get up on the tire a lot and turn a whole lot of rpm's. It's a whole different sensation from nitro," she said.
 
"Roger has put together a first-class operation, and I feel really fortunate to be a part of the R2B2 Racing team. He and Raymond [Commisso, Troxel's other teammate] have done such a great job this year, that I really feel like I'm trying to live up to the standards they have set. I'm hoping I can keep up with them this weekend.
 
"The idea of having three cars on the track is to gather a little more information, and hopefully benefit all three of us. It's going to be a great weekend, and I know we'll all do very well, especially with Al Billes calling the shots.
 
"I knew of Al when I was driving the Top Alcohol cars, and now that I get the chance to work with him, I'm realizing just what a great guy he is and how much he's done for the sport. It's been a lot of fun so far with all the guys on the team, they make me feel right at home, and it's been a really good learning experience.
 
"Now, I just want to put all that learning to the test and get out on the track and race," Troxel said.

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The Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge presented by ProCare Rx once again visits Old Bridge Township Raceway Park to compete in their sixth of ten events at the United Association NHRA SuperNationals, and along with the very best Pro Mods in the land, series sponsor Get Screened America will host a full midway pavilion with free health screening tests and the opportunity to win a 'Wii Fit.'
 
Along with the drivers who have competed in every event this season, several local drivers will be joining the battle for the Get Screened America Warrior and the $10,000 purse. The 19 drivers competing in Englishtown are: Burton Auxier, Joe Baker, Vinnie Budano, Roger Burgess, Mike Castellana, Raymond Commisso, Tommy Gray, Jim Halsey, Dave Hance, Chip King, Mike Knowles, Taylor Lastor, Frank Patille, Jay Payne, Brad Personett, Danny Rowe, Rickey Smith, Tim Tindle and Melanie Troxel.
 
Troxel, a veteran of Top Fuel Funny Cars and Dragsters as well as their alcohol-burning cousins, will be making her debut in Pro Mod competition driving for R2B2 Racing and ProCare Rx. Having earned the title of the NHRA's quickest woman, Troxel said she completely respects the power and unpredictability of these cars.
 
"With the full suspension and short wheel base of these cars, you have to finesse them, not muscle them like the nitro Funny Car I drove last.  I'm just really excited to be driving again, and I have always loved door-slammers, so this is a fun opportunity," Troxel said.
 
Troxel will face-off against the best of the best in the land, with current points leader Burton Auxier and Al-Anabi and nitrous-fraternity teammate, No. 2 Mike Castellana leading the charge to take the Get Screened America Warrior for the weekend. Just behind them, Troxel's teammate and team owner, Roger Burgess heads the super-charged contingent from third place, a little more than three round-wins out of first.
 
Topeka, Kan. winner Tim Tindle is anxious to continue his winning ways, while Topeka runner-up Jay Payne, Matco Tools' Joe Baker, Houston winner Danny Rowe and the third member of the R2B2 Racing team Raymond Commisso are all looking to make a move and secure their place in the top-eight and qualifying for the Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash.
 
Not to be counted out are B&J Transmissions-backed Mike Knowles, Turbo-powered Brad Personett, and Texas-based Taylor Lastor, along with the temporarily-sidelined Rick Stivers - all within a few round-wins of making the Clash. Also in the hunt are Chip King in his 'Sublime Lime" Plymouth Barracuda and Rickie Smith.
 
New faces to the Challenge this year in Englishtown are local-favorites Vinnie Budano and Dave Hance along with veteran Jimmy Halsey and Frank Patille driving his Tim McAmis-built 1957 Buick Pro Mod. 'Tombstone' Tommy Gray will be making his second appearance of the season in his Undertaker '68 Camaro.
 
With the all-star lineup on the track, Get Screened America will test to see just how much the Pro Mod action really raises a fan's blood pressure, and will also offer health screening tests that include blood glucose testing, body mass index tests, eye vision exams, a skin cancer scan to scan faces for potential damage under the skin, and a special health risk assessment kiosk where fans can register basic health information and qualify to win a 'Wii' and 'Wii Fit.'
 
"We are pleased to present Pro Mods to NHRA fans and be a part of the best drag racing anywhere," said Roger Burgess, CEO of ProCare Rx. "Get Screened America offers healthcare education and promotes healthcare screening and testing. We feel NHRA fans are greatly benefiting from the information and the reminders we're providing during the Pro Mod events."
 
Get Screened America's mission is to educate Americans of the importance of health screening and testing and to provide access whenever possible to simple, free tests and screenings for different health conditions at selected sporting venues. Screenings may include tests for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and certain cancers, while always stressing early testing for colorectal, breast and other invasive conditions.
 
The Get Screened America Pro Modified Challenge presented by ProCare Rx is a national showcase of Pro Modified cars, pairing the best blown, nitrous, and turbo-charged racers against one another for the coveted World Championship. Sometimes called "The most exciting class in drag racing," the fan-favorite class uses the platform of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series to showcase the stars in major markets nationwide, reaching a broad demographic audience.
 
Current Points Standings (after five of ten races)

1 Burton Auxier 382
2 Mike Castellana 376
3 Roger Burgess 320
4 Joe Baker 295
5 Danny Rowe 272
6 Jay Payne 271
7 Tim Tindle 270
8 Brad Personett 227
8 Raymond Commisso 227
10 Rick Stivers 200
10 Taylor Lastor 200
12 Mike Knowles 179
13 Harold Laird 155
14 Kenny Lang 140
15 Chip King 67
16 Andy McCoy 63
16 Kirk Wilmes 63
18 Rickie Smith 52
19 Billy Gibson 42
20 Tommy Gray 10
20 George Landis 10

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