Press Release from NHRA:
Canadian Kenny Lang, a veteran Pro Mod racer who has won his share of races and series titles in other drag racing organizations, made history in March as the first Pro Mod racer to raise a Wally – NHRA’s highly coveted national event winner’s trophy – in an NHRA winner’s circle.
Lang flew under the radar by qualifying sixth in his green ’53 Corvette, but he ultimately raced to victory against Sweden’s Michael Gullqvist in the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals final round to win the inaugural race in NHRA’s newest touring series – the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
Now Lang’s focus is on race No. 2 in the 10-race series, when the tour visits Houston Raceway Park April 9-11 for the 23rd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil. The race will be televised on ESPN2HD.
“Looking at the caliber of cars in this series, our goal was to just try and qualify and maybe win a round or two,” Lang said. “I’m super-honored to be the first winner.”
While category heavy hitters such as Ray Commisso, Jay Payne, Roger Burgess, Melanie Troxel, Burton Auxier, Mike Knowles, Von Smith, and Danny Rowe will be eager to grab their first Wally in NHRA Pro Mod competition at the ultra-quick HRP quarter-mile, Lang is confident in his team’s ability to stay in the championship hunt throughout the season.
“I’ve won two IHRA championships, so I have some experience, but I know it’s going to be tough over here in this series,” Lang said. “We know what we’re up against, but we do our best. We’re probably one of the lower-funded teams in this series, but we do this because we love it.”
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’63 Corvettes, ’68 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs, ’68 Firebirds as well as late-model cars such as Burgess’ ’05 Corvette, the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.
“These cars are on the edge all the time, and they can move all over the racetrack, and that’s something the fans love,” Lang said. “[In Gainesville] a lot of fans came over and told us they love watching the Pro Mods. I think we put on a pretty good show.”
• SCHEDULE: Pro Mod qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:15 and 4:30 p.m. April 9 and 1:15 and 4 p.m. April 10. Pro Mod eliminations are scheduled to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. April 11.
• TICKETS: Tickets are available for the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil. Call NHRA, 800-884-NHRA (6472), or log on to Extreme Tix, www.clicknprint.com.
• ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise 30 minutes of racing highlights from the Pro Mod Series portion of the event Sunday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. ET.
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