Gainesville, FL. – With just one test session and a newly assembled team Mike Knowles took his “Blown Money” team to Gainesville for the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge season opener.
Knowles’ new crew chief, Al Billes, was faced with two tasks this weekend; the continued process of changing Knowles’ car over to a more familiar set up while integrating some new unfamiliar parts and trying to qualify. While the two can seem to go hand and hand the latter has a way of controlling the former.
Knowles was able to post some impressive incremental times in early qualifying but was unable to put a “complete” run together. On Saturday the “Blown Money” crew was down to one shot at cracking the 16 car field leaving Crew Chief, Al Billes, no choice but to go back to his known combination and take a shot at the Gainesville 1320. On his final attempt Knowles made it into the field in the 16th position posting a 6.042 elapsed time at just under 245 miles per hour.
By virtue of his qualifying position Knowles was paired with pole sitter Khalid Balooshi. Balooshi held a two tenths advantage on paper leaving Knowles’ team no choice but to hop her up and hope for the best. Their hopes went up in smoke right off the line as the “Blown Money” Camaro lost traction forcing Knowles to peddle. (Get off and on the throttle)
“We had some clutch issues this weekend. Al was still in the process of changing the car over to his combination but we have some good pieces that we want to use that are not part of that right now. Our engine program has a ton of power. We just have to find the right combination in the can. It’s gonna take a little more time but things are moving in the right direction,” said Knowles.
While Knowles flew back to his Grand Junction, Colorado home on Monday, Al Billes and the rest of the team stayed behind implementing new parts into the team’s combination. Early results show plenty of promise.
While the “Blown Money” team didn’t bring home a Wally this weekend Knowles’ “Blown Money” ’67 Camaro, built by Tim McAmis Race Cars and painted by Mark Brown Studios took home the Best Appearing Award.
The next stop for the “Blown Money” team will be the 12th Annual Summitracing.com
Nationals in Las Vegas, NV (April 1-3).
The Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge from the 42nd Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals will be televised on ESPN 2 Sunday, March 20th at midnight eastern.
Knowles’ new crew chief, Al Billes, was faced with two tasks this weekend; the continued process of changing Knowles’ car over to a more familiar set up while integrating some new unfamiliar parts and trying to qualify. While the two can seem to go hand and hand the latter has a way of controlling the former.
Knowles was able to post some impressive incremental times in early qualifying but was unable to put a “complete” run together. On Saturday the “Blown Money” crew was down to one shot at cracking the 16 car field leaving Crew Chief, Al Billes, no choice but to go back to his known combination and take a shot at the Gainesville 1320. On his final attempt Knowles made it into the field in the 16th position posting a 6.042 elapsed time at just under 245 miles per hour.
By virtue of his qualifying position Knowles was paired with pole sitter Khalid Balooshi. Balooshi held a two tenths advantage on paper leaving Knowles’ team no choice but to hop her up and hope for the best. Their hopes went up in smoke right off the line as the “Blown Money” Camaro lost traction forcing Knowles to peddle. (Get off and on the throttle)
“We had some clutch issues this weekend. Al was still in the process of changing the car over to his combination but we have some good pieces that we want to use that are not part of that right now. Our engine program has a ton of power. We just have to find the right combination in the can. It’s gonna take a little more time but things are moving in the right direction,” said Knowles.
While Knowles flew back to his Grand Junction, Colorado home on Monday, Al Billes and the rest of the team stayed behind implementing new parts into the team’s combination. Early results show plenty of promise.
While the “Blown Money” team didn’t bring home a Wally this weekend Knowles’ “Blown Money” ’67 Camaro, built by Tim McAmis Race Cars and painted by Mark Brown Studios took home the Best Appearing Award.
The next stop for the “Blown Money” team will be the 12th Annual Summitracing.com
Nationals in Las Vegas, NV (April 1-3).
The Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge from the 42nd Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals will be televised on ESPN 2 Sunday, March 20th at midnight eastern.
