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NORWALK, Ohio (July 28, 2006) – Known to many as the birthplace of Pro Modified racing, it’s no surprise the IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series offers one of the biggest shootouts for the class. With a total purse of $51,000 - $20,000 going to the winner – the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout, held during the Northern Nationals, August 4-6 at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich., will feature the “great eight” of IHRA’s Pro Modified contingent, and give them the chance to race-off to see who’s best.
Leading the competitors this year is the 2005 Shootout winner Carl Spiering. The Ontario, Canada-native suffered a car-destroying crash at the first race of the season, but was able to rebuild his race program and not miss a beat. He’ll face-off in the first round against Scotty Cannon, Jr., son of multiple-time world champion Scott Cannon, Sr. Ironically, like Spiering, Cannon suffered a devastating crash in his new GTO to kick off the season, but has been running well since.
On the same side of the 8-car ladder will be Mike Castellana, the defending IHRA Pro Modified world champion. He’ll take on Alberta, Canada-native Rick Distefano, who’s qualified and ran good all year, with a number one qualifier at the Suzuki Motor City Nationals.
Former world champion Mike Janis will take his second-place position on the opposite side of the ladder to face off against Quain Stott, who won earlier this season at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway. Rounding out the field is Jim Halsey, who finished second in last year’s shootout. Halsey’s first-round opponent is Holland, Michigan-native Steve Bareman, who calls U.S. 131 Motorsports Park his home track.
The Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout will take place at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park as part of the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals, August 4-6. For more information log onto www.ihra.com.
Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout – QUALIFIER PROFILE - #8 Steve Bareman
CONTACT: Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Special Promotions
[email protected]
MARTIN, Mich. – Holland, Michigan-native Steve Bareman began writing a new chapter in his racing career exactly a year ago and he’s plenty encouraged by the storyline thus far. Bareman made his debut as the newest driver for veteran car owner Jim Oddy during the 2005 Torco Racing Fuels IHRA Northern Nationals.
A year later he commands a berth amongst the eight drivers vying for the $20,000-to-win first place prize in the Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout.
“We joined up with Jim Oddy last year at Martin and gain a place for the next one,” Bareman said. “This is a very special deal that Evan [Knoll] has put up for us here. We are proud to be a part of this program.”
Proud is just one word Bareman uses to characterize being a qualifier, but fortunate is another term holding equal credence.
“When Jim and I started, our program was originally intended to last through the 2005 season,” Bareman said. “My brother and I felt if we went back on our own this year that we could have at least maintained a place in the program. But, it all worked out for this year and here we are.”
The trio of Steve, his brother Mike and the master tuner Oddy left no stone unturned in their bid to build momentum. Six races were complete in the jockeying for position before 2006 season opened for the Knoll Gas - Pro Modified and the Summit Racing Equipment-sponsored Bareman was in the eighth spot.
Bareman admitted the most crucial aspect of preparing for the event is maintaining the consistency that got him into the show.
“You go into every race with the goal of wanting to qualify #1 and win,” Bareman said. “You want to do that in every race. All you can do is to prepare the car every time the same way you have done all season to get you to that point.”
An ironic note is that Oddy’s previous driver Al Billes qualified eighth last year despite a crash that put his driving career on hold. That opening enabled first alternate Carl Spiering to gain entry into the event and eventually win the grand prize. Spiering is the top points earner headed into the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Pro Modified Shootout.
Bareman will meet Jim Halsey in the first round of competition.
$51,000 Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout Headlines Northern Nationals
NORWALK, Ohio (July 28, 2006) – Known to many as the birthplace of Pro Modified racing, it’s no surprise the IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series offers one of the biggest shootouts for the class. With a total purse of $51,000 - $20,000 going to the winner – the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout, held during the Northern Nationals, August 4-6 at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich., will feature the “great eight” of IHRA’s Pro Modified contingent, and give them the chance to race-off to see who’s best.
Leading the competitors this year is the 2005 Shootout winner Carl Spiering. The Ontario, Canada-native suffered a car-destroying crash at the first race of the season, but was able to rebuild his race program and not miss a beat. He’ll face-off in the first round against Scotty Cannon, Jr., son of multiple-time world champion Scott Cannon, Sr. Ironically, like Spiering, Cannon suffered a devastating crash in his new GTO to kick off the season, but has been running well since.
On the same side of the 8-car ladder will be Mike Castellana, the defending IHRA Pro Modified world champion. He’ll take on Alberta, Canada-native Rick Distefano, who’s qualified and ran good all year, with a number one qualifier at the Suzuki Motor City Nationals.
Former world champion Mike Janis will take his second-place position on the opposite side of the ladder to face off against Quain Stott, who won earlier this season at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway. Rounding out the field is Jim Halsey, who finished second in last year’s shootout. Halsey’s first-round opponent is Holland, Michigan-native Steve Bareman, who calls U.S. 131 Motorsports Park his home track.
The Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout will take place at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park as part of the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals, August 4-6. For more information log onto www.ihra.com.
Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout – QUALIFIER PROFILE - #8 Steve Bareman
CONTACT: Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Special Promotions
[email protected]
MARTIN, Mich. – Holland, Michigan-native Steve Bareman began writing a new chapter in his racing career exactly a year ago and he’s plenty encouraged by the storyline thus far. Bareman made his debut as the newest driver for veteran car owner Jim Oddy during the 2005 Torco Racing Fuels IHRA Northern Nationals.
A year later he commands a berth amongst the eight drivers vying for the $20,000-to-win first place prize in the Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels Pro Modified Shootout.
“We joined up with Jim Oddy last year at Martin and gain a place for the next one,” Bareman said. “This is a very special deal that Evan [Knoll] has put up for us here. We are proud to be a part of this program.”
Proud is just one word Bareman uses to characterize being a qualifier, but fortunate is another term holding equal credence.
“When Jim and I started, our program was originally intended to last through the 2005 season,” Bareman said. “My brother and I felt if we went back on our own this year that we could have at least maintained a place in the program. But, it all worked out for this year and here we are.”
The trio of Steve, his brother Mike and the master tuner Oddy left no stone unturned in their bid to build momentum. Six races were complete in the jockeying for position before 2006 season opened for the Knoll Gas - Pro Modified and the Summit Racing Equipment-sponsored Bareman was in the eighth spot.
Bareman admitted the most crucial aspect of preparing for the event is maintaining the consistency that got him into the show.
“You go into every race with the goal of wanting to qualify #1 and win,” Bareman said. “You want to do that in every race. All you can do is to prepare the car every time the same way you have done all season to get you to that point.”
An ironic note is that Oddy’s previous driver Al Billes qualified eighth last year despite a crash that put his driving career on hold. That opening enabled first alternate Carl Spiering to gain entry into the event and eventually win the grand prize. Spiering is the top points earner headed into the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Pro Modified Shootout.
Bareman will meet Jim Halsey in the first round of competition.
