<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Rowe_254988.jpg" alt="Rowe_254988" align="right"borders="0"/>
(5-03-2008) MADISON, IL – Danny Rowe, driver of the Hottinger Group ’67 Camaro Pro Mod, has seen both the good and bad sides of Gateway International Raceway. Going into the NHRA Midwest Nationals and the 4th stop on the JEGS ProMod Challenge tour, Rowe and team were looking for a third win at a track they’ve seen the winner’s circle at twice before. During the Friday night qualifying session, though, Rowe would see GIR in a way he never imagined when the Hottinger Group ’67 Camaro got loose towards the top end of the race track, got up on two wheels and impacted the left-hand guard wall. While Rowe was able to get out of the car under his own power and luckily suffered no injuries from the accident, it was a very wild, high speed accident that left the team’s Camaro beyond repair.
“I’m very thankful that these cars are so safe and the track and NHRA Safety Safari are so good at what they do,” said Rowe after the accident. “I’m a little tender, but I’m fine. I think everyone was a little shook up after seeing the whole deal unfold from the starting line and for obvious reasons; we just have to stay focused and push forward.”
The hours following would make “pushing forward” the understatement of the year as the prominent Pro Mod driver and his crew united in an effort to get back on the track for Saturday’s final qualifying attempt. After being loaned a car from NHRA Nitro Funny Car pilot and Pro Mod pioneer Mike Ashley on Friday night and working tirelessly to install their drive train in Ashley’s hot rod, Rowe was able to make the call for the 3rd and final round of Pro Mod qualifying.
“I really can’t say enough about the whole Pro Mod community,” said Rowe. “We had calls from everywhere, checking to make sure that I was okay and see what they could do to help. From outlaw guy to IHRA guys, West Coast guys, East Coast guys and other racers here at the track, it was unbelievable to see how unified this group of racers really is. We ended up borrowing a car from Mike Ashley and the guys thrashed to get it put together for today. There aren’t words to describe this kind of generosity and friendship, I can’t thank Mike enough for doing what he did and helping keep this race team in the hunt. Our team has worked very hard; I didn’t want to see us not get a chance to show what we can do on race day. Mike is a classy individual as is this entire racing community. We’re honored to be a part of such a family and I can’t thank everyone enough for their graciousness.”
As if following a storyline written for a motion picture, Danny Rowe and crew took Mike Ashley’s Camaro to the starting line and unloaded a 5.987 at 241.02mph to take the team from unqualified to the No. 4 spot of the JEGS ProMod Challenge qualifying order – a feat seen by many as unbelievable.
“To take a car that we’ve never run before and go straight towards the top of the sheet is unreal,” says Rowe. “But it’s more of a testament to the talent of this team and our crew chief Jimmy Rector. My team worked so hard to make this happen and it’s only right they get to see some positive results from their efforts. We’ll hope I can carry their passion into the final elimination rounds tomorrow. We’ve done it before and I think we can do it again.”
Rowe faced Mike Knowles in Saturday evening’s opening round of Pro Mod eliminations. Both cars went right into tire shake resulting in a pedal fest where Rowe came out on top, posting an off-pace 6.75 at 223mph that was enough to get the win.
Both Danny Rowe and teammate Kirk Kuhns lasted through the first round and will face each other tomorrow in the quarter-finals.
SUNDAY, May 4 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11a.m.
ROWE RECOVERS FROM FRIDAY ACCIDENT AND JUMPS TO No. 4
(5-03-2008) MADISON, IL – Danny Rowe, driver of the Hottinger Group ’67 Camaro Pro Mod, has seen both the good and bad sides of Gateway International Raceway. Going into the NHRA Midwest Nationals and the 4th stop on the JEGS ProMod Challenge tour, Rowe and team were looking for a third win at a track they’ve seen the winner’s circle at twice before. During the Friday night qualifying session, though, Rowe would see GIR in a way he never imagined when the Hottinger Group ’67 Camaro got loose towards the top end of the race track, got up on two wheels and impacted the left-hand guard wall. While Rowe was able to get out of the car under his own power and luckily suffered no injuries from the accident, it was a very wild, high speed accident that left the team’s Camaro beyond repair.
“I’m very thankful that these cars are so safe and the track and NHRA Safety Safari are so good at what they do,” said Rowe after the accident. “I’m a little tender, but I’m fine. I think everyone was a little shook up after seeing the whole deal unfold from the starting line and for obvious reasons; we just have to stay focused and push forward.”
The hours following would make “pushing forward” the understatement of the year as the prominent Pro Mod driver and his crew united in an effort to get back on the track for Saturday’s final qualifying attempt. After being loaned a car from NHRA Nitro Funny Car pilot and Pro Mod pioneer Mike Ashley on Friday night and working tirelessly to install their drive train in Ashley’s hot rod, Rowe was able to make the call for the 3rd and final round of Pro Mod qualifying.
“I really can’t say enough about the whole Pro Mod community,” said Rowe. “We had calls from everywhere, checking to make sure that I was okay and see what they could do to help. From outlaw guy to IHRA guys, West Coast guys, East Coast guys and other racers here at the track, it was unbelievable to see how unified this group of racers really is. We ended up borrowing a car from Mike Ashley and the guys thrashed to get it put together for today. There aren’t words to describe this kind of generosity and friendship, I can’t thank Mike enough for doing what he did and helping keep this race team in the hunt. Our team has worked very hard; I didn’t want to see us not get a chance to show what we can do on race day. Mike is a classy individual as is this entire racing community. We’re honored to be a part of such a family and I can’t thank everyone enough for their graciousness.”
As if following a storyline written for a motion picture, Danny Rowe and crew took Mike Ashley’s Camaro to the starting line and unloaded a 5.987 at 241.02mph to take the team from unqualified to the No. 4 spot of the JEGS ProMod Challenge qualifying order – a feat seen by many as unbelievable.
“To take a car that we’ve never run before and go straight towards the top of the sheet is unreal,” says Rowe. “But it’s more of a testament to the talent of this team and our crew chief Jimmy Rector. My team worked so hard to make this happen and it’s only right they get to see some positive results from their efforts. We’ll hope I can carry their passion into the final elimination rounds tomorrow. We’ve done it before and I think we can do it again.”
Rowe faced Mike Knowles in Saturday evening’s opening round of Pro Mod eliminations. Both cars went right into tire shake resulting in a pedal fest where Rowe came out on top, posting an off-pace 6.75 at 223mph that was enough to get the win.
Both Danny Rowe and teammate Kirk Kuhns lasted through the first round and will face each other tomorrow in the quarter-finals.
SUNDAY, May 4 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11a.m.
