Flashback Friday: Pro Modifieds On the Gateway Quarter Mile In 1990

A few weeks ago during our Flashback Friday feature, we shared a nostalgic little clip from back in 1989 of the Top Sportsman Shootout from the Gateway International Raceway just outside of St. Louis. It was this popular side competition to the Top Sportsman eliminator that a few months later, would become the rousing success that we now know as Pro Modified.

To honor the Gateway International Raceway’s final race this weekend, we thought it would be a nice addition to feature the next seasons event in 1990, of the all-new category competing on the St. Louis quarter mile strip. The cars and machines that you see here are literally the originators of the Pro Modified movement, with names like Robbie Vandergriff, Bill Kuhlmann, Mike Ashley, Scotty Cannon, and Ed Hoover.

This clip was originally part of a full broadcast, but only the second round has been whittled into the video you see here. The quarterfinal round action opens with Ken Karsten downing Vandergriff with a 7.63 at 189.31 MPH. Meanwhile, Ashley drops a 7.10 on the Summit-backed Chevy of Kuhlmann, while the legendary Ronnie Sox disposes of Cannon’s famed ONSAT Willy’s with a booming 7.00 lap. and Ed Hoover, who is still very much a part of the Pro Mod category today, downed chassis builder Tim McAmis with a 7.10 effort of his own. For fans of heads-up doorslammer racing, this is almost as cool as it gets.

About the author

Andrew Wolf

Andrew has been involved in motorsports from a very young age. Over the years, he has photographed several major auto racing events, sports, news journalism, portraiture, and everything in between. After working with the Power Automedia staff for some time on a freelance basis, Andrew joined the team in 2010.
Read My Articles

Drag Racing in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


Street Muscle Magazine
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
Diesel Army
Diesel Army
Engine Labs
Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • Streetmuscle Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • Diesel Army Diesel Army
  • Engine Labs Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading