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AMS Pro Mod Challenge veteran Troy Critchley, driver of the AMS Staff Leasing-backed 1970 Hemi Barracuda, was hoping to continue his winning ways from the last race of 2006, but settled for a runner-up finish and a World Record 245.81 mph. Critchley said he is confidant this could be his year.
After working his way through the stellar field of contestants in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals in record-setting style, Critchley faced the one car he worried most about - the '68 Camaro driven by his teammate Josh Hernandez.
"I knew what Howard Moon did for this car, and I had seen what Joshie had run, and I knew it would be a great race," Critchley said.
"Howard told us both before the final that he was going to set things up the best he could for each of us, and the rest was up to us. I knew I was either going to go out there and blow him away or blow the tires off," he said.
Unfortunately for Critchley, the latter proved true, shaking the tires at about 330 feet and watching Hernandez run another in his string of sub-six second passes.
During round one of eliminations, Critchley was able to get the win light over local Florida racer Bryan Seward and his 2004 Mustang. Critchley ran a 5.924, at a record-setting 245.81 mph. In round two, paired up against Steve Engel of Shandon, Ohio, Critchley got the win in a lucky twist of fate. His tire-shaking effort at 6.40 was good enough for the win as Engel left the line early and forfeited the round. The semis brought Critchley head-to-head with Roy Hill's Mike Bell. Critchley and the Jack Hammer took the stripe with an impressive 5.98/243.28 over Bell's 7.322.
Despite his loss in the final round, the weekend was far from disappointing for the Aussie, however, having set the World Record for speed and made the statement that his team has figured out how to turn horsepower into speed. He also was the first in AMS Pro Mod history to break into the fives with a 5.946/245.27 shot in the final round of qualifying on Saturday. As such, Critchley is the first of four drivers to join the exclusive AMS Five Second club and earn a check for $500 from a fund sponsored by his peers.
Having qualified number one in the second-quickest field in AMS Pro Mod history, Critchley took home the Ohio Crankshaft Low Qualifier prize of $1,000 as well as an extra $100 in contingency money from JEG'S High Performance Mail Order.
"I'm disappointed we shook the tires and didn't cross the line under power in the finals, but, this has to be the best weekend of AMS drag racing ever.
"It's going to be an amazing season, and I'm sure there will be a lot more exciting moments to come. I mean - this is Pro Mod, right? It's what makes our class so awesome," Critchley said.
The AMS Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. moves next to Houston and the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, March 30 - April 1, 2007.
Record Breaking Weekend for Troy Critchley in Gainesville
AMS Pro Mod Challenge veteran Troy Critchley, driver of the AMS Staff Leasing-backed 1970 Hemi Barracuda, was hoping to continue his winning ways from the last race of 2006, but settled for a runner-up finish and a World Record 245.81 mph. Critchley said he is confidant this could be his year.
After working his way through the stellar field of contestants in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals in record-setting style, Critchley faced the one car he worried most about - the '68 Camaro driven by his teammate Josh Hernandez.
"I knew what Howard Moon did for this car, and I had seen what Joshie had run, and I knew it would be a great race," Critchley said.
"Howard told us both before the final that he was going to set things up the best he could for each of us, and the rest was up to us. I knew I was either going to go out there and blow him away or blow the tires off," he said.
Unfortunately for Critchley, the latter proved true, shaking the tires at about 330 feet and watching Hernandez run another in his string of sub-six second passes.
During round one of eliminations, Critchley was able to get the win light over local Florida racer Bryan Seward and his 2004 Mustang. Critchley ran a 5.924, at a record-setting 245.81 mph. In round two, paired up against Steve Engel of Shandon, Ohio, Critchley got the win in a lucky twist of fate. His tire-shaking effort at 6.40 was good enough for the win as Engel left the line early and forfeited the round. The semis brought Critchley head-to-head with Roy Hill's Mike Bell. Critchley and the Jack Hammer took the stripe with an impressive 5.98/243.28 over Bell's 7.322.
Despite his loss in the final round, the weekend was far from disappointing for the Aussie, however, having set the World Record for speed and made the statement that his team has figured out how to turn horsepower into speed. He also was the first in AMS Pro Mod history to break into the fives with a 5.946/245.27 shot in the final round of qualifying on Saturday. As such, Critchley is the first of four drivers to join the exclusive AMS Five Second club and earn a check for $500 from a fund sponsored by his peers.
Having qualified number one in the second-quickest field in AMS Pro Mod history, Critchley took home the Ohio Crankshaft Low Qualifier prize of $1,000 as well as an extra $100 in contingency money from JEG'S High Performance Mail Order.
"I'm disappointed we shook the tires and didn't cross the line under power in the finals, but, this has to be the best weekend of AMS drag racing ever.
"It's going to be an amazing season, and I'm sure there will be a lot more exciting moments to come. I mean - this is Pro Mod, right? It's what makes our class so awesome," Critchley said.
The AMS Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. moves next to Houston and the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, March 30 - April 1, 2007.
