Pro Stock’s Gaines Fittingly Enjoys Season-Best Outing At Denver

The Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver last weekend proved to be a marquee outing for the Hemi-powered Pro Stock contingent, and a fitting showing it was before the Mopar brass at the NHRA Full Throttle Series event at the Bandimere Speedway that has long boasted title sponsorship from the Chrysler performance division.

While Mopar-sponsored racer Allen Johnson was collecting yet another trophy in the ultra-thin mountain air that’s become his personal kingdom in recent years, fellow Mopar compatriot V. Gaines was enjoying his finest weekend of the season at his home track in his Kendall Oil Dodge Avenger.

Gaines, the owner of GRP Connecting Rods and a number of other well-known high performance brands under his Western Motorsports banner, qualified a season-high third at Denver behind only Johnson and Mike Edwards with an impressive 6.968 best, setting up a first round match with Kurt Johnson.

Sitting 14th in the Pro Stock standings with five rounds wins to match his five DNQ’s on the year, Gaines overcame Kurt Johnson’s perfect light in the opening stanza with a weekend-best 6.94, downed the Ford Mustang of Larry Morgan in round two with another 6.96, and advanced to the first final round since Phoenix in 2008 after disposing of fellow Mopar runner Vincent Nobile in the semifinals, 6.97 to 7.11. That set up the first final round meeting between a pair of Mopar’s in the history of the Mile-High Nationals.

Gaines fell victim to the methodical performance of Roy and Allen Johnson’s machine in the final round. 6.95 to 7.14, but the final round showing vaunted him up to 11th in the standings, just eight points behind 10th place Rodger Brogdon as the cutoff to the Countdown to the Championship draws near.

For more information on GRP Connecting Rods, log on to grpconrods.com.

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