For the second race in a row, Billy Glidden took home the Larry Jeffers Race Cars (LJRC) Reaction Time Award at an NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series event. Glidden is the first driver to win this award back-to-back.
The LJRC Reaction Time Award is a bonus award given to the Real Pro Mod (RPM) association driver with the best reaction time, in a winning round of eliminations. At the first Pro Mod race of the season in Gainesville, Billy won the award with a .006 light in a big upset against defending two-time NHRA Pro Mod Champion, Rickie Smith. In Houston, Glidden cut a .003 light in his win over TJ Coughlin in the semi-finals. Glidden went on to be runner-up at the event. Glidden is currently #3 in points going into the next race.
“The reason we created the reaction time award is that anybody can win it. The reaction-time is solely based on driver’s skill,” said David Zientara of LJRC. “Billy is one of the best drivers on the lights. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes home this award again this season. We also wanted to congratulate Jim Whiteley for going rounds in LJRC Chevelle.”
Other RPM awards at the Houston National Event include the Quick Drive #1 Qualifier Award. That went to Donnie Walsh Jr. for the second time this year. Walsh didn’t stop with this award, he went on to win the race and take home the Wally. His Precision Turbo & Engine powered Camaro is also an LJRC car. Zientara added, “We want to congratulate Don “Wally” Walsh on his big win in Houston.”
RPM is fortunate enough to have incredible sponsors who support their Participation Bonuses. Drivers are givens bonuses for the number of rounds they move up during eliminations.
Round 1 bonuses were handed out to: Bob Rahaim, Eric Latino, Steve Matusek, Pete Farber, Khalid alBalooshi, Jeff Naiser, Danny Rowe and Mike Knowles. Round 2: Mike Janis, Rickie Smith, Mike Castellana and Troy Coughlin. Round 3: TJ Coughlin and Jim Whiteley. It should also be noted that Whiteley did double-driving duties that race day, also making it to the quarter-finals in Top Alcohol Dragster.
Next up for the RPM Drivers is the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series race in Atlanta presented by RPM and Pro Line Racing. Qualifying starts Friday, May 15th at 3:15 p.m. EST.