“ OF ALL THE PEOPLE TO DRAW IN THE FIRST ROUND ,”
says Mike Bowman , the reigning , defending World Series of Pro Mod champion , with a chuckle and sly grin while standing at the top of the staging lanes at Bandimere Speedway . “ Nobody really knows what anyone has ran this week during testing , but I know what we ’ ve heard – and this is going to be a hell of a drag race . If we leave together , I think we ’ ve got something for him , but I don ’ t think we could have a tougher draw .”
Considering he ’ s preparing to go head-to-head with Derek Menholt and his Steve Petty-tuned , twinturbocharged ‘ 68 Camaro that essentially everyone with a pulse has heard dipped into the 5.80s on multiple occasions during mid-week testing , it ’ s hard to believe Bowman seemed so chipper . Certainly , a good portion of his mood is standard operating procedure for the southern California native , but his just-happy-to-be-here vibe seemed to be a common thread at “ the Biggest , Richest Pro Mod Drag Race in the History of the Known Universe .” Piled together in the staging lanes behind the unmistakable tower at the house John Bandimere built , the stars and cars of the second annual World Series of Pro Mod are staring down the barrel of one of drag racing ’ s most intense opening stanzas .
But based on the smiles , small talk and laughter , you would think these 26 Pro Mod allstars were having the time of their lives .
Well , that ’ s because they were .
Photograph By Joe McHugh DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 75