As the second half of the 2014 NHRA Pro Mod Series gets underway, the battle for the Championship is growing tighter. Only 101 points separates the #1 and #9 drivers. Defending Champion Rickie Smith now occupies the top spot, but Mike Janis is just 11 points behind him. Only four races remain in the season for the drivers in the Real Pro Mod Association (RPM) to clinch the title.
The current points standings following Norwalk:
1) Rickie Smith – 414
2) Mike Janis – 403
3) Von Smith – 362
4) Mike Castellana – 359
5) Steve Matusek – 358
6) Danny Rowe – 353
7) Kevin Fiscus- 333
8) Pete Farber – 319
9) Troy Coughlin – 313
10) Steven Whiteley – 238
This past weekend in Norwalk, Troy Coughlin took home the Pro Mod Wally at the 2014 NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, defeating Von Smith in the final round. Smith did not leave the event empty handed; he took home the Larry Jeffer’s Race Cars performance bonus for best reaction time. Smith cut a .017 in the semi-finals against Pete Farber.
Several other RPM drivers took home cash bonuses from RedHorse Performance. Kenny Lang, Bob Rahaim, Mike Castellana, Bill Glidden, Steven Whiteley, Clint Satterfield, Gerry Capano and Eric Latino took home $300 for their first round finishes. $500 bonuses were given to Danny Rowe, Steve Matusek, Kevin Fiscus and Mike Janis. Pete Farber and Rickie Smith each took home $750 for making it to the semi-finals.
Prizes from several sponsors were also given out at the RPM drivers meeting held on Friday in Norwalk at the hospitality tent for event sponsor, Mid Atlantic Energy Services. JE Pistons handed out $250 gift certificates to Don Walsh Jr, Clint Satterfield, Bob Rahaim and Mike Biehle. Billy Glidden took home $3,000 of Mickey Thompson Performance Wheels. Gerry Capano and Mike Janis have new Powerocks chargers and Doug Winters won a case of Brakleen from CRC Industries.
The RPM has a short break before their next race at the 2104 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis over Labor Day Weekend.