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While it wasn’t what Danny Rowe was looking for in his first start of the NHRA Season, his quarter-final finish at the historic ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals laid the ground work for a great season.
Rowe came out of qualifying solidly placed in the seventh position with a fantastic 6.042/236.17mph pass. While being in the top half of the 16-car qualified field was an incredible feat with the countless record-breaking performances in Gainesville, Rowe was tightly paired with the number 10 qualifier, Shelly Payne, in the opening round of eliminations.
“We we’re truly satisfied with our qualifying efforts,” admitted Rowe. “Getting into the top half of the field in the quickest and fastest field of Pro Mods ever assembled is a feat in itself. While there was some room for improvement, our focus was on consistency and driving in the first round against Shelly.”
Rowe’s 1963 Chevy Corvette was second off the starting line as Payne left early and lit the red light. Rowe kept his foot in the throttle and fought the supercharged, alcohol burning Hemi all the way down the track only to post a phenomenal 6.006 at only 225.36mph.
“That was a ride; that’s for sure,” exclaimed an ecstatic Danny Rowe as he climbed out of the Gainsborough Capital-backed Chevrolet. “We fought the lane all the way down the track; I really had to work the wheel and threw the ‘chutes early to keep the car on my side of the track. We were on a run; the mile-per-hour vs. E.T. shows the potential of the car.”
With Saturday over and the first round out of the way, Rowe and crew-chief Jimmy Rector knew they had their hands full with new Pro Modified world-record holder Joshua Hernandez in the quarter-final round.
“We’re happy we’re going to be around on Sunday, but unfortunately we have to square off with Joshua Hernandez in the next round,” explained Rowe. “They’re flying, but we’re running as well as we ever have. Heads up drag racing always keeps things exciting. You never know what’s going to happen and we’re confident going into Sunday. One thing is for sure, we’re going to make them beat us.”
Behind the wheel of the Unfinished Business ’63 Corvette, Rowe pulled up beside the Dr. Moon’s Rage ’68 Camaro in front of thousands of race fans as the first pair of Pro Modifieds on Sunday morning. The cars left together, but the ’68 Camaro’s 5.92/243.63mph pass was enough to edge out Danny Rowe’s solid 6.017/236.26mph blast.
“It’s tough to run a 6.01 and go home, but that’s racing. It’s disappointing to have the 2nd fastest car in the round and lose, yet there is some comfort in knowing we’re in the hunt,” admitted Rowe. “The NHRA and AMS are doing a fantastic job with this program and we’re glad to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season as Pro Modified continues to define itself as one of the most exciting classes in drag racing – 5 second, 245mph door slammers; it’s amazing!”
Although it didn’t end quite as planned, the 2007 NHRA Gatornationals was a positive experience for Danny Rowe Racing. The Unfinished Business Corvette made the big show, while the likes of Jay Payne, Chip King, Eddie Ware and Matt Hagan weren’t as fortunate.
“Right now, we shift our focus to San Antonio next weekend and keep working hard,” said Rowe. “We’ve got a solid foundation with our results here and now it’s all about preparing for our next event. We’ve got some fine tuning to do and will continue to work towards a championship in Texas.”
Information regarding Danny Rowe Racing can be found at www.dannyrowe.com
Visit Danny Rowe Racing Sponsors: Gainsborough Capital, LLC , Weld Racing Wheels – Forged Wheels for Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Motorcycles and Race Cars, Impact Racing, Hoosier Racing Tire -- Tires Designed For Champions, Red Line Oil, NGK Spark plug, NGK Spark Plug wire, NGK Platinum Spark plug for High Performance and Racing.
Photos courtesy of Jason Sharp
QUARTER FINALS FINISH FOR ROWE IN SEASON OPENER
While it wasn’t what Danny Rowe was looking for in his first start of the NHRA Season, his quarter-final finish at the historic ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals laid the ground work for a great season.
Rowe came out of qualifying solidly placed in the seventh position with a fantastic 6.042/236.17mph pass. While being in the top half of the 16-car qualified field was an incredible feat with the countless record-breaking performances in Gainesville, Rowe was tightly paired with the number 10 qualifier, Shelly Payne, in the opening round of eliminations.
“We we’re truly satisfied with our qualifying efforts,” admitted Rowe. “Getting into the top half of the field in the quickest and fastest field of Pro Mods ever assembled is a feat in itself. While there was some room for improvement, our focus was on consistency and driving in the first round against Shelly.”
Rowe’s 1963 Chevy Corvette was second off the starting line as Payne left early and lit the red light. Rowe kept his foot in the throttle and fought the supercharged, alcohol burning Hemi all the way down the track only to post a phenomenal 6.006 at only 225.36mph.
“That was a ride; that’s for sure,” exclaimed an ecstatic Danny Rowe as he climbed out of the Gainsborough Capital-backed Chevrolet. “We fought the lane all the way down the track; I really had to work the wheel and threw the ‘chutes early to keep the car on my side of the track. We were on a run; the mile-per-hour vs. E.T. shows the potential of the car.”
With Saturday over and the first round out of the way, Rowe and crew-chief Jimmy Rector knew they had their hands full with new Pro Modified world-record holder Joshua Hernandez in the quarter-final round.
“We’re happy we’re going to be around on Sunday, but unfortunately we have to square off with Joshua Hernandez in the next round,” explained Rowe. “They’re flying, but we’re running as well as we ever have. Heads up drag racing always keeps things exciting. You never know what’s going to happen and we’re confident going into Sunday. One thing is for sure, we’re going to make them beat us.”
Behind the wheel of the Unfinished Business ’63 Corvette, Rowe pulled up beside the Dr. Moon’s Rage ’68 Camaro in front of thousands of race fans as the first pair of Pro Modifieds on Sunday morning. The cars left together, but the ’68 Camaro’s 5.92/243.63mph pass was enough to edge out Danny Rowe’s solid 6.017/236.26mph blast.
“It’s tough to run a 6.01 and go home, but that’s racing. It’s disappointing to have the 2nd fastest car in the round and lose, yet there is some comfort in knowing we’re in the hunt,” admitted Rowe. “The NHRA and AMS are doing a fantastic job with this program and we’re glad to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season as Pro Modified continues to define itself as one of the most exciting classes in drag racing – 5 second, 245mph door slammers; it’s amazing!”
Although it didn’t end quite as planned, the 2007 NHRA Gatornationals was a positive experience for Danny Rowe Racing. The Unfinished Business Corvette made the big show, while the likes of Jay Payne, Chip King, Eddie Ware and Matt Hagan weren’t as fortunate.
“Right now, we shift our focus to San Antonio next weekend and keep working hard,” said Rowe. “We’ve got a solid foundation with our results here and now it’s all about preparing for our next event. We’ve got some fine tuning to do and will continue to work towards a championship in Texas.”
Information regarding Danny Rowe Racing can be found at www.dannyrowe.com
Visit Danny Rowe Racing Sponsors: Gainsborough Capital, LLC , Weld Racing Wheels – Forged Wheels for Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Motorcycles and Race Cars, Impact Racing, Hoosier Racing Tire -- Tires Designed For Champions, Red Line Oil, NGK Spark plug, NGK Spark Plug wire, NGK Platinum Spark plug for High Performance and Racing.
Photos courtesy of Jason Sharp
