Indy JEGS ProMod field could be best ever assembled
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<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii112/racerchickpics/NHRA%20Englishtown/Saturday/SANY3200.jpg"
<br> <font color="Navy">The JEGS ProMod Challenge for the upcoming 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals promises to showcase one of the best groups of Pro Mod racers ever assembled. Pontieri, Rowe, and Hernandez.</font>
<P> (8-7-08) DELAWARE, Ohio -- The JEGS ProMod Challenge for the upcoming 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals promises to showcase one of the best groups of Pro Mod racers ever assembled. Although limited to just 24 entries by NHRA, officials with the invitation-only series still managed to put together an outstanding field of top-caliber drivers.
Four former series champions headline the group. Current JEGS champ Josh Hernandez has to be considered the favorite to win drag racing's crown jewel. He's been to three Indy finals in a row, recording a win in 2006 and runner-ups in '05 and '07. Likewise, '06 series champion Jay Payne is looking for his second U.S. Nationals victory. He won the race in 2005.
"Tricky Rickie" Smith, who claimed the series' title in its inaugural year of 2001, also will be trying for his second victory at Indianapolis Raceway Park, having won the race in 2003. This time through, Smith is contemplating bringing a nitrous racecar.
Shannon "the Iceman" Jenkins, the '02 ProMod champion in NHRA, will be trying for his first trophy at "the Big Go."
Jenkins will see familiar foes in fellow IHRA Pro Mod champions Scotty Cannon and Mike Castellana. Jenkins has three IHRA championships to his credit, while Cannon won a remarkable six titles in the sanction. Castellana earned his IHRA championship in 2005.
Another multi-time IHRA champion bringing his talents to Indy is Von Smith, who won three Top Alcohol Funny Car championships in the past.
While former champs have certainly earned their credentials, they'd be foolish to overlook the current JEGS ProMod Challenge regulars. Canadian Tony Pontieri has fought hard to maintain his No. 1 ranking in the '08 points and his Quality Plus Compressors '57 Bel Air will be a contender from the start.
Joe Baker and Steve Engel have claimed wins this year, proving they belong, while Troy Coughlin and Harold Laird have both have U.S. Nationals trophies in their collections.
Other favorites include Kirk Kuhns, Danny Rowe, Raymond Commisso, and John Russo, who all occupy positions in the current top 10 rankings.
Rounding out the star-studded field are Roger Burgess, Mike Knowles, Taylor Lastor, Shelly Payne, Brad Personett, Scott Ray, Rick Stivers, and Tim Tindle.
Interest in the JEGS ProMod Challenge remains sky-high with more than 25 racers filling out the list of alternates hoping for a chance to sneak into the Indy field.
<p style="width:300px;float:left;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii112/racerchickpics/NHRA%20Englishtown/Saturday/SANY3200.jpg"
<br> <font color="Navy">The JEGS ProMod Challenge for the upcoming 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals promises to showcase one of the best groups of Pro Mod racers ever assembled. Pontieri, Rowe, and Hernandez.</font>
<P> (8-7-08) DELAWARE, Ohio -- The JEGS ProMod Challenge for the upcoming 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals promises to showcase one of the best groups of Pro Mod racers ever assembled. Although limited to just 24 entries by NHRA, officials with the invitation-only series still managed to put together an outstanding field of top-caliber drivers.
Four former series champions headline the group. Current JEGS champ Josh Hernandez has to be considered the favorite to win drag racing's crown jewel. He's been to three Indy finals in a row, recording a win in 2006 and runner-ups in '05 and '07. Likewise, '06 series champion Jay Payne is looking for his second U.S. Nationals victory. He won the race in 2005.
"Tricky Rickie" Smith, who claimed the series' title in its inaugural year of 2001, also will be trying for his second victory at Indianapolis Raceway Park, having won the race in 2003. This time through, Smith is contemplating bringing a nitrous racecar.
Shannon "the Iceman" Jenkins, the '02 ProMod champion in NHRA, will be trying for his first trophy at "the Big Go."
Jenkins will see familiar foes in fellow IHRA Pro Mod champions Scotty Cannon and Mike Castellana. Jenkins has three IHRA championships to his credit, while Cannon won a remarkable six titles in the sanction. Castellana earned his IHRA championship in 2005.
Another multi-time IHRA champion bringing his talents to Indy is Von Smith, who won three Top Alcohol Funny Car championships in the past.
While former champs have certainly earned their credentials, they'd be foolish to overlook the current JEGS ProMod Challenge regulars. Canadian Tony Pontieri has fought hard to maintain his No. 1 ranking in the '08 points and his Quality Plus Compressors '57 Bel Air will be a contender from the start.
Joe Baker and Steve Engel have claimed wins this year, proving they belong, while Troy Coughlin and Harold Laird have both have U.S. Nationals trophies in their collections.
Other favorites include Kirk Kuhns, Danny Rowe, Raymond Commisso, and John Russo, who all occupy positions in the current top 10 rankings.
Rounding out the star-studded field are Roger Burgess, Mike Knowles, Taylor Lastor, Shelly Payne, Brad Personett, Scott Ray, Rick Stivers, and Tim Tindle.
Interest in the JEGS ProMod Challenge remains sky-high with more than 25 racers filling out the list of alternates hoping for a chance to sneak into the Indy field.
