PEACH
STATE PRO MODS
Words and photos by Ian Tocher
2/18/06
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American Drag Racing League (ADRL) began its 2006 season with an all-day
test-n-tune session Feb. 17, at South Georgia Motorsports Park, near Valdosta,
GA, where more than 70 Outlaw Pro Mods were on the grounds making laps
under clear blue skies in nearly 80-degree weather.
Jason Scruggs (above) led the way for more than 40 Pro Extreme (supercharged) entries with an outstanding 3.907-seconds pass at 194.77 mph in his hemi-powered 1963 Corvette. Also among several other drivers making three second runs were defending Pro Extreme champion John Lynam, current points leader Quain Stott, Todd Tutterow, Josh Hernandez, Chip King, Danny Rowe, Doug Palmer, and Joey Martin.
The
quickest of the Pro Nitrous entries was Mike Castellana at 4.056 at 182.38
mph. Castellana’s teammate and tuner, Shannon Jenkins, said he was
gunning for the three-second range, but suffered a nitrous explosion on
the line that damaged the front end bodywork of his car. Nevertheless,
Jenkins (below) returned for a fenderless and hoodless test launch in
his ‘68 Camaro. Also making strong passes in the nitrous ranks were
Johnny Pilcher, Dan Parker, and Keith Baker.
With nearly 30 nitrous cars making test passes, ADRL president Kenny
Knowling announced he is expanding the raceday field from eight to 16
qualified entries. Pro Extreme also will feature a 16-car field with two
rounds of qualifying and all elimination rounds on Saturday.
SHOOTING GALLERY
 Florida’s Joey Martin was all smiles right before running a career-best (“So far,” he emphasized) 3.947 at 187.34 in his Tindle Contracting-backed ‘68 Mustang. |
 Rex Kelley earned a “Valdosta Stripe” when his ‘63 Corvette sideswiped the left wall shortly after his launch. “They told me it was shaking the tires, but I didn’t even feel it,” he said. “I was really expecting it to take off, but as soon as I hit second (gear) it just took off. I tried to correct it with the steering wheel, but the (front) wheels were in the air until it hit the wall and then I was able to steer it back” The ‘Vette’s all-carbon-fiber body was damaged from stem to stern, but a little red racer’s tape means Kelley will likely make his qualifying attempts on raceday. Still, “it’s a heckuva way to start the year,” he said. |
 The only car burning nitro on the grounds was Bill Kuhlman’s new Outlaw Corvette, but the Pro Mod pioneer suffered severe tire shake on this run and had to abort early. |
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 Also on hand was Marcus Birt making his first full passes in Tim Tindle’s Outlaw 10.5 car. Birt ran a best of 4.55 seconds over the eighth mile at Valdosta, while teammate Jack Barfield managed only a 4.57-seconds pass in his own 1969 Camaro. |
 Scott Cannon Jr. was on hand with his famous father callling the shots for his new ‘06 GTO in the Pro Extreme class. Unfortunately, they were not able to make a full pass in testing. |