(3-13-2011) GAINESVILLE, Florida – Just like he had planned, Danny Rowe came out swinging in 2011, scoring a runner-up finish in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season-opener at the 42nd Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Utilizing a combination of high-level performance and consistency, Rowe built on his second-place qualifying effort (5.855/250.27mph) by toppling some of the best Pro Modified has to offer in Scott Ray, Ed Hoover, and racing legend Rickie Smith, before facing Khalid Al-Balooshi in the final round on the historic Gainesville Raceway quarter-mile. Rowe left first with a .056-second reaction time and held the lead until almost half-track when Balooshi squeaked by to take the win and bring to an end a phenomenal weekend of Pro Mod Drag Racing.
“Wow, what a weekend,” says Rowe, climbing out of his car after the series’ first final round of 2011. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that we’re a little disappointed, but I can’t deny that simply being in the final round here today – it’s a big deal for this team. We wanted to come out and make a statement early, and I think that’s exactly what we did.
“We talk about it a lot, but the competition out here is incredible,” Rowe continues. “You look at the number of low 5.90 and 5.80 runs in eliminations and it’s undeniable that Pro Mod Racing is as serious as ever. As always, we went into race day focused on consistency. We had to make good, fast runs to go rounds, and Jimmy [Rector, crew chief] provided me a hot rod that did just that.”
Rowe’s run to the final included a string of impressive runs, including a 5.913 and a 5.894 – both at nearly 250mph.
“I can’t say enough about this Sterling Bridge team,” says Rowe. “We worked hard this offseason and I believe it’s going to pay dividends all year long. This was a great way to welcome RCD Engineering to our amazing family of sponsors, and I’m looking forward to the next stop on the GSA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series tour already.”
NHRA Pro Modified Points Standings (After 1 of 10 races)
1. Khalid Al-Balooshi, 93
2. Danny Rowe, 71
3. Rickie Smith, 59
4. Kenny Lang, 57
5. Roger Burgess, 47
6. Ed Hoover, 45
7. Brad Personett, 45
8. Raymond Commisso, 44
9. Michael Gullqvist, 35
10. Mike Janis, 35
NHRA officials recently announced the 10-race television package for the Pro Modified series, which will air highlights and coverage of this weekend’s NHRA Gatornationals on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD on Saturday, March 20th at midnight.
Utilizing a combination of high-level performance and consistency, Rowe built on his second-place qualifying effort (5.855/250.27mph) by toppling some of the best Pro Modified has to offer in Scott Ray, Ed Hoover, and racing legend Rickie Smith, before facing Khalid Al-Balooshi in the final round on the historic Gainesville Raceway quarter-mile. Rowe left first with a .056-second reaction time and held the lead until almost half-track when Balooshi squeaked by to take the win and bring to an end a phenomenal weekend of Pro Mod Drag Racing.
“Wow, what a weekend,” says Rowe, climbing out of his car after the series’ first final round of 2011. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that we’re a little disappointed, but I can’t deny that simply being in the final round here today – it’s a big deal for this team. We wanted to come out and make a statement early, and I think that’s exactly what we did.
“We talk about it a lot, but the competition out here is incredible,” Rowe continues. “You look at the number of low 5.90 and 5.80 runs in eliminations and it’s undeniable that Pro Mod Racing is as serious as ever. As always, we went into race day focused on consistency. We had to make good, fast runs to go rounds, and Jimmy [Rector, crew chief] provided me a hot rod that did just that.”
Rowe’s run to the final included a string of impressive runs, including a 5.913 and a 5.894 – both at nearly 250mph.
“I can’t say enough about this Sterling Bridge team,” says Rowe. “We worked hard this offseason and I believe it’s going to pay dividends all year long. This was a great way to welcome RCD Engineering to our amazing family of sponsors, and I’m looking forward to the next stop on the GSA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series tour already.”
NHRA Pro Modified Points Standings (After 1 of 10 races)
1. Khalid Al-Balooshi, 93
2. Danny Rowe, 71
3. Rickie Smith, 59
4. Kenny Lang, 57
5. Roger Burgess, 47
6. Ed Hoover, 45
7. Brad Personett, 45
8. Raymond Commisso, 44
9. Michael Gullqvist, 35
10. Mike Janis, 35
NHRA officials recently announced the 10-race television package for the Pro Modified series, which will air highlights and coverage of this weekend’s NHRA Gatornationals on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD on Saturday, March 20th at midnight.
