Janis Wins Spirited NHRA Pro Mod Affair

NHRA’s revitalized (R.P.M.) Pro Mod racing series held it’s 2nd of 10 scheduled events when it touched down as part of the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Springnationals held at Houston area Royal Purple Raceway…..

Popular Western New York class racing veteran Mike Janis emerged victorious when he defeated a red-lighting Mike Castellana in the final round.

Mike Janis won his 3rd career NHRA Pro Mod event at Houston

Mike Janis won his 3rd career NHRA Pro Mod event at Houston

Janis’ supercharged ’12 Camaro beat Castellana, who had won the season opener at Gainesville, with a 5.927-second pass at 244.56 mph to take home the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series victory which was presented by J&A Service for this event.

For Janis, who has been a long time class campaigner it was his third  career victory in the uber popular fast door slammer category.

NHRA Pro Mod Presented by J&A Service NAME ET MPH CAREER Win
Winner: Mike Janis 5.927 244.56 3rd
R/UP: Mike Castellana 5.904 243.33
Low ET: Jim Laurita 5.847
Top Speed: Don Walsh 250.51
Bump Spot: 5.997

Janis, who qualified #12 entering eliminations, defeated opponents Dan Stevenson, Ron Muenks, and then Steve Matusek prior to the championship final.

His win came over another all five-second field.   27-cars made qualifying attempts at Houston producing a swift bump spot of 5.997 secs.

Runner-up Castellana, the points leader after two events driving his nitrous-injected Al-Anabi Racing 13’ Camaro, beat Mike Knowles, Kevin Fiscus and Danny Rowe before falling to Janis in the final.

With his R/UP finish - Mike Castellana increased his points lead in Pro Mod.

With his R/UP finish – Mike Castellana increased his points lead in Pro Mod.

Jim Laurita's nitrous-injected Camaro set low ETat 5.847 secs to qualify #1 before losing in a round one upset.

Jim Laurita’s nitrous-injected Camaro set low ETat 5.847 secs to qualify #1 before losing in a round one upset.

Mike Janis wheeled his late model supercharged Camaro to a convincing win in Pro Mod

Mike Janis wheeled his late model Jan-Cen supercharged Camaro to a convincing win in Pro Mod

Posted by:  Bruce Biegler – Photos by: Marc Gewertz

EVENT SPONSORSHIP NOTEBOOK:

The Real Pro Mod Association (RPM) once again with a full field of 24 cars entered the NHRA Pro Mod Series race presented by J&A Service this past weekend in Houston. At Friday’s driver’s meeting, a growing group of sponsors showed their support for RPM, by awarding drivers several products and cash bonuses.

Mike Janis not only took home the Wally at the NHRA SpringNationals, but he also won the $500 Larry Jeffers Race Cars – Best Reaction Time Award, by cutting a .018 in the final round. Kenny Lang won a $3,000 certificate for a set of wheels from Mickey Thompson Performance. Steve Matusek, Clint Satterfield, Mike Castellana and Kevin Fiscus all won $250 certificates redeemable at JE Pistons. The Powerocks portable cell charger winners last weekend included Jim & Steven Whiteley. And, Ron Muenks won a case of CRC Brakleen.

Racers who picked up RedHorse $300 1st Round Bonuses included: Jim Laurita, Pete Farber, Harold Martin, Dan Stevenson, Steven Whiteley, Von Smith, Troy Coughlin and Mike Knowles. Drivers who took home the $500 RedHorse Quarter Final Round Bonuses were: Don Walsh Jr, Ron Muenks, Rickie Smith and Kevin Fiscus. Teammates, Danny Rowe and Steve Matusek each picked up $750 RedHorse Semi-Final Bonuses.

It was also announced at the driver’s meeting by Don Corsette of Lucas Oil, that Protect The Harvest has signed a three year commitment to support RPM drivers participating in the NHRA Pro Mod Series.

The next race for RPM drivers is the 2014 NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, GA coming up on May 16th – May 18th.

Posted by:  Nicole Erickson