MidWest Pro Mod St. Louis...One for the ages!
/I said a week ago after the PDRA event that drag racing really is back. Well after covering the Mid West Pro Mod Series event in St. Louis, I am absolutely sure I can stand by that statement.
While there are still tracks looking to reopen and areas that you can’t have drag racing or drag racing with fans, the MWPMS had the opportunity to have fans witness amazing racing over the weekend. Along with some toasty temperatures, there were times during the weekend that the fans and racers had to avoid the raindrops too. Anyone that has lived or raced in the midwest is well aware that the sky can just open up at any time.
Judd Coffman
Amazing racing is exactly what was on the agenda over the weekend as well. It didn’t matter if you were running a 200 mph Pro Mod or an 85 mph Junior Dragster, there was going to be racing action to be had. We witnessed back-to-back event winner in Pro Mod, as well as Back-to-Back winners in the Junior dragster category over the weekend, so let’s get the rundown started.
In my opinion, Junior Dragster is one of the most important classes in all of drag racing, so let us begin there. Over the weekend the Juniors ran two separate races, one on Friday and another on Saturday. Both days we celebrated with the same drivers also. In Sportsman Juniors it was Tyler Wells taking the victory both days with amazing numbers and dead consistency. In Pro Juniors it was Brianna Chancey who showed everyone she was in charge and doubled up as well.
X275 is one of the toughest classes to compete in anywhere in the country on any given weekend. This weekend was no different. Heavy hitters like Rob Goss, Eric Moore, Orson Johnson, Earl Stanley, Alan Felts, and more were on hand in an attempt to get that check and get some laps on their cars. This was the first time I had seen Alan’s car since he updated as well. Watch for a full feature on that soon. The racing was blisteringly fast too. Cars in the 4.30’s and speeds upwards of 170 mph. At the end of the day it was Earl Stanley who was the last man standing.
Top Dragster brings together some of the finest drivers in all of drag racing. Over the weekend this was abundantly apparent as well. Not only did we get to see some of the finest driving out there, we also got to see some of the most beautiful dragsters as well. Preston Tanner was on the property with his new dragster and that thing is not only gorgeous, but lays down serious numbers. On Saturday night though, it was Phillip Oakley taking home the win. His Texas Roadhouse backed machine was on a mission all weekend, and he sealed the deal in the finals with a win over Matt Sackman.
I certainly love me some Top Sportsman racing, along with the beautiful machines that compete in it. The best part as a photographer is when one of the cars you love to photograph ends up in the winners circle too. This weekend it was Mark McDonald and his gorgeous DragstersForSale.com backed Ford Mustang that pulled off the victory over Rich Smith and his beautiful Camaro. Do it get any better than a Ford vs. Chevy final?
Pro Mod Pro Mod Pro Mod…yes the kings and queens of the Mid West Pro Mod Series. Over the last year or so there has been a lot of chatter about whether or not a nitrous car could compete against turbo and blower cars. Well, the simple answer is YOU DAMN RIGHT THEY CAN! At the last MWPMS event in Ennis, both Ron Muenks and Jim Sackuvich proved that you could when they faced off against each other in the finals, with Ron taking the win. This weekend in St. Louis, Ron once again proved that they can be competitive and win. With the help of his crew, including Jeff Pierce, Dave Pierce, Samantha Miller, Ryan Sadler, and Dale Hancock, Ron went on to face off against the Tommy Cunningham. This weekend belonged to Ron though, as he laid down a 3.70 to Tommy’s 3.74. Which now leaves Ron only 30 points behind last years World Champion Aaron Wells for the point lead. This season is going to be a battle to the end.
In the MWPMS Slammers class, It was Jeff Rudolph taking the win over NHRA veteran Chad Green. Both teams are working out any bugs and heading in the right direction for the remainder of the 2020 season. I certainly look forward to seeing both those cars again this season. Hopefully at the next MWPMS in Ferris, TX at XRP in July, where E3xtreme will be covering all the action.