There’s no doubt that the pomp and circumstance surrounding the celebration of the 60th anniversary Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis is going to be quite a spectacle over Labor Day weekend, but what’s in store in the Pro Modified category may be worth the price of admission alone, as a staggering THIRTY FOUR (yes…34) cars are pre-entered for the world’s most prestigious drag race, making it the largest professional — but not officially professional — category on the grounds.

At a time when participation in all classes from the pros to the sportsman ranks are at alarming lows — even the once-crowded Pro Stock category — the Pro Modified class has proven itself stronger than ever, with racers battling it out to just to gain an entry into the 10 national events where the Pro Modified Drag racing Series is contested. Many of the names entered have taken to the NMCA’s Pro Modified class earlier this season to gain the needed grade points to make them eligible to be a part of the growing category, and with a number of them being turned away at each NHRA event due to the entry quota, series officials opened the field up to a record 34 racers at Indy.

Aside from the teams themselves, the real winners here are the fans, who will get to bear witness to what will certainly be one of the most thrilling three days of qualifying in recent memory, with 34 of the baddest cars in the country all trying to fill a 16-car field. With more drivers going home than will even qualify for eliminations, you ca bet no one will be leaving a thing on the table.

The entry list for the “Big Go” includes:

Rickie Smith, Troy Coughlin, Mike Castellana, Danny Rowe, Ken Lang, Pete Farber, Chip King, Jay Payne, Mark Martino, Dan Stevenson, Billy Glidden, Bob Rahaim, Harold Martin, Chris Juliano, Clint Satterfield, Jim Laurita, Gerry Capano, Mike Janis, Eric Latino, Doug Winters, Kevin Fiscus, Von Smith, Jim Widener, Don Walsh, Jason Hamstra, Bill Lutz, Dave Pierce, Jeff Naiser, Mike Knowles, Jim Whiteley, Steven Whiteley, Steve Matusek, Craig Cawte, and Jim Bell.