More multiple dimension doorslammer developments!….

A Popular Pop-Up! — One of Eastern Canada’s most familiar Pro Mod drivers and machines has moved back into the fold.

During the very recent IHRP Pro Mod series event held at Toronto Motorsports Park (June 6-7), it was Al Martorino (from Coburg On) moving back into class competition – with an all new supercharged Ford Mustang.

Martorino, (who won Napierville Dragway’s FuelTech Pro Mod Series points title in 2022), made a strong debut with his slick new Xtreme Motorsports (2008 model style) Mustang that weekend — including a PB ET of 3.72 secs at 203+ mph.

“Back during the summer of 2023 we had head out to Empire Dragway (in NY) where we broke the chassis,” Al reflected. “Following that we made the decision to build a new car — so we order a new chassis from PRC Fabrication near the end of 2023. We did love this Mustang body style — but other than that look – nothing else on the new car is the same.”

Ontario’s Al Martorino debuted his all new Ford Mustang Pro Mod recently at TMP/Cayuga Dragway.

Al revealed that his new Mustang now features a 4.9L Noonan engine program – complete with a screw type blower and overseen by Al Billes. The transmission is now a Mark Mickey configuration and the Mustang’s safety includes the latest and best from Canada’s DSP Safety. Northern Ontario’s Louis Ouimette (Active Collisions) did the new body and paint aspect.

“We haven’t raced in 2.5 years,” Al added. “But we have joined in for the new Ian Hill Racing Productions series – part of his Canada Heads Up Shoot Out portfolio. We had a good start — after testing running personal bests and then placing 3rd at the event.”

“Even though we’re still sorting the new car — I’m looking forward to the next race (also at Cayuga) — the Nitro Nationals — where I think we can dip into the 3.60s.”

Previously in his racing career – Al Martorino raced this impactful Xtreme Motorsports Mustang.

Regular Season Concluder — At Bristol Dragway (June 14th) it was Jason Collins picking up his second season victory within the NHRA’s JBS Equipment Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

This sixth circuit race of the year, held during NHRA’s Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals, closed out the regular season, which will now move into it’s 5-event Championship playoff mode – beginning this coming weekend at the Summit Racing Nationals in Ohio.

At Bristol Collins finished out the regular season in fashion — even if it wasn’t necessarily conventional.

In the championship final it was event low qualifier, Mike Stavrinos going red by .005 which nullified his quickest run of the event (5.763 secs) and effectively handed the victory to Collins. Ironically, Collins’ machine in the other lane got very out of shape and nearly crossed the centerline. But in the end, he avoided that close call to a DQ, to enjoy his second season win.

Jason Collins did win at NHRA Bristol – but his victory was not without occurrences!

Collins had advanced to the final round for the third straight time for NHRA class racing events.

In the second round, Collins did in fact have another incident — when his Camaro got loose during the burnout and struck the center guard wall on the starting line. But after that wild turn of events – he recovered, got the car staged and knocked off Travis Harvey (sub driver for Justin Bond’s PM car this weekend) with a run of 5.786 at 247.79 mph.

A round later, Collins knocked off Stan Shelton with a run of 5.798 at 247.52 to reach the final round.

Mike Stavrinos was for sure on a “power trip” at NHRA Bristol – qualifying #1 and setting Low ET in the AAP Camaro – but had an ill-timed red-light foul in the finale.

Stavrinos, who qualified #1 (5.774 secs), reached the finals for second time this season and seventh time in his career with victories Alex Laughlin, reigning world champion J.R. Gray and Rickie Smith.

Super skilled PM driver Travis Harvey (from Maryland) was being the wheel of Justin Bond’s Canadian-based car at Bristol – due to date conflict for Justin. Harvey qualified #3 — but was forced to abort his run versus Jason Collins in round #2.

Montana’s Derek Menholt opens the five-race playoffs in first place, with Stavrinos in second. Justin Bond, Jason Collins and Stan Shelton round out the top five.

Jason(s) Come First! — IHRA’s first ever “Triple Crown” race presentation (at Darana Raceway Hebron Ohio) last weekend did include two flavours for 1/8th mile Pro Mod class racing – both well attended.

Racing within the Pro Mod class (31 cars entered) did produce a “hot hand” winner with Jason Harris once again racking up a major score in the category driving the popular Harold Denton-tribute “Party Time” Camaro.

Harris — who had qualified #1 (3.591 secs) — saved his best run of the weekend for the final round – whipping to a 3.567 secs at 210.58 mph (low ET & top speed) to defeat the Plymouth Barracuda driven by Jacob McNeal. McNeal (who qualified #2) lost despite a terrific 3.599 secs effort.

One of drag racing’s “hot hand” drivers – Jason Harris – was again victorious within major league Pro Mod class racing.

Jason Harris had after a first round single, defeated Ray Matos, Key Kelly and Steve King in previous rounds. With the win – Harris also advanced his chance to win a potential all time major Pro Mod class payout of $1 Million! That could happen if he is able to sweep two more wins for the IHRA’s “Triple Crown” 3-race series – which will conclude during a double header event at Darana Raceway – Maple Grove — coming mid September.

Also saving his best run for the final bell was Jason Scruggs within the Outlaw Pro Mod category. Driving his supercharged Camaro, Scruggs earned his first career IHRA national event title after hitting 3.532 secs (low ET of the event) at 215.93 mph in the OPM final to defeat Mike DiDomenico’s 4.001 secs.

Jason Scruggs wheeled his supercharged Camaro to a convincing Outlaw Pro Mod title at IHRA event in Ohio.

Scruggs’s victory over that 16-car qualified field (20 entries) came from the #4 qualified slot and included round win lights over David Brinkley, Hank Stubbs and Bubba Stanton.

OPM racing saw Stanton qualify first (3.534 sec) and drivers produce a swift class bump spot of 3.796 secs.

Western Canada’s Chevy Reeves was entered for OPM racing at Darana Ohio – with his intensely cool Chevelle — but his 3.801 secs just missed the cut (3.796 secs)!

Posted with files by Bruce Biegler & NHRA Communications

Photos by Blake Farnan – David Ostaszewski – Dave DeAngelis – Bruce Biegler