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MADISON, Ill. — This isn’t a typical weekend for the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and that means standout driver Mike Janis won’t be taking a typical approach.
Normally a consistent driver who focuses on solid but not necessarily record-breaking runs as his recipe for success, a last-ditch chance to claim a world title will have Janis changing his approaching heading into one of the most unique weekends of the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis.
The postponed Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals will be completed this weekend along with the third annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, which is the ninth of 10 races during the 2014 season.
Only one round was completed in Charlotte, but points leader and defending champion Rickie Smith was upset in the opening round while Janis advanced, leaving the door open for one last push at a pivotal two-race weekend. With that in mind, Janis is not taking his normal approach in his Jan-Cen Racing Chevy Camaro.
“This is it right here for us and this is the whole season wrapped into one weekend,” said Janis, who trails Smith by 75 points. “We’re going to throw as many Hail Mary’s out there as we need to. We’ve worked hard and we’ve got a good feeling heading into the weekend. Hopefully we can apply everything we’ve learned over the past few weeks and walk away with a couple of Wallys.”
The St. Louis event, which is presented by Precision Turbo & Engine in 2014, could make for one of the biggest weekends in Janis’ successful Pro Mod career. A year ago Smith clinched the world championship at the event and the defending race winner is Mike Castellana.
But after Smith’s early exit in Charlotte, Janis believes he has one more opportunity to chase down his first NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world championship.
“We’re going to try to play it as cool as we can and just not try to make any mistakes,” Janis said. “At this point it’s all about taking it one round at a time and trying not to overthink things. We still have to go out there and qualify well for the St. Louis race but we’re going to try to take a big jump this weekend.”
Janis, who has one victory this season, believes his Camaro has rebounded after a difficult first-round loss at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indy. Smith strengthened his points lead by winning that race but Janis remains in striking distance.
Janis, who has three career NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series victories, also knows he can’t waste any time. The second round of eliminations for Charlotte begins on Friday following the second round of qualifying for St. Louis and Janis must be ready.
“We’re normally much more conservative,” Janis said. “We’re definitely not going to be that this time. Every time we go up to the starting line we want something big. We’re going to make as many smart changes as we need to make, give it our best and hopefully go some rounds.”
Janis must also deal with a large and talented NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series field that includes Smith, Castellana, Von Smith, Troy Coughlin, Danny Rowe, Pete Farber Kevin Fiscus and Steve Matusek. The good news, though, is that Janis has always looked forward to racing at Gateway Motorsports Park.
“We’ve done really well here in the past and it’s a good track for us so hopefully some of that carries over,” Janis said. “We’re definitely looking forward to racing there and I think that really helps your mindset.”
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’68 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs and ’68 Firebirds as well as late-model cars, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.
NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 26 with qualifying sessions at 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., continuing with the final qualifying session on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 12:45 p.m. Round one of eliminations is later on Saturday at 6 p.m.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Gateway Motorsports Park at (855) RACE-TIK (722-3845) or visit www.gatewaymsp.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES FACT SHEET:
AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS
WHAT: Third annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, the ninth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Other racing series showcased during this event include the NHRA Mello Yello Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Series.
WHERE: Gateway Motorsports Park, Madison, IL. The track is located at 700 Raceway Blvd., Madison, IL 62060
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 600 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26-28
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept. 26
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 27
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 12:45 p.m.; First round of eliminations at 3:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 28 –
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations continue at approximately 12:45 p.m.
PAST WINNERS: Mike Castellana, 2013; Troy Coughlin, 2012; Von Smith, 2010.
TRACK RECORDS: 5.816 sec. by Don Walsh, Sept. ’12; 257.97 mph by Troy Coughlin, Sept. ’12.
NATIONAL RECORDS: 5.772 sec. by Melanie Troxel, June. ’11, Englishtown; 258.71 mph by Troxel, June ’11, Englishtown.
TICKETS: For tickets call Gateway Motorsports Park at (855) RACE-TIK (722-3845), or visit www.gatewaymsp.com.
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NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Unofficial point standings (top 10) following partial completion of the eighth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Elimination rounds for the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals will be completed during this weekend’s AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Pro Modified: 1. Rickie Smith, 561; 2. Mike Janis, 486; 3. Steve Matusek, 464; 4. Von Smith, 448; 5 (tie). Troy Coughlin, 442; (tie) Pete Farber, 442; (tie). Danny Rowe, 442; 9. Kevin Fiscus, 399; 10. Steven Whiteley, 311.
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