JERICO BALDUF RETURNS TO QUARTER-MILE PRO MOD WITH SUCCESS
�Jerico Balduf ’ s first full pass in his new roots-blown ’ 69 Chevelle was a head-turner , and his weekend in Orlando also ended in solid fashion .
After a pair of test hits before the World Doorslammer Nationals , Balduf unleashed an impressive pass on Friday , going 5.792 at 246.12 . That spurred a strong weekend at Orlando , as Balduf advanced to the second round before losing to eventual winner Khalid Al-Balooshi .
With Jeff Pierce making the tuning calls on the new car , Balduf had confidence he could have a noteworthy debut .
“ I ’ m stoked . It couldn ’ t have worked out any better ,” Balduf said . “ Jeff is doing a great job tuning it and we were all pretty pleased . I ’ m ecstatic right now .”
The team was pleased during testing and everything translated perfectly into a strong opening weekend . It ’ s been since the IHRA Pro Mod days that Balduf last made a quarter-mile Pro Mod run , and he was all smiles in Orlando .
After qualifying 10th , Balduf beat Eric Latino in the opening round with a 5.791 at 248.16 . A round later , Balduf was stellar on the starting line with an . 024 reaction time and a stout run of 5.750 at 244.47 before Al-Balooshi chased him down with a 5.634 .
“ We got very comfortable pretty quickly in this car ,” Balduf said . “ I ’ m not as nervous as I thought I would be . It ’ s a great race and a great turnout , and we ’ re having a good time . My mind ’ s a little blown right now .”
Balduf also had high praise for Pierce , who has become one of the top tuners in the Pro Mod ranks . Balduf is capable of tuning his own car and often does when going eighth-mile racing in the PDRA , but adding Pierce ’ s expertise pays off in a number of ways .
For one , Balduf knows he ’ s going to get a top car and with Pierce consistently making the right calls , the Edgewater , Florida , native can completely focus on his driving .
“ You know you ’ re in good hands with Jeff ,” Balduf said . “ You can trust him with everything . If he ’ s tuning it , I don ’ t even have to ask what he ’ s doing . I know it ’ s under control and I can just drive . He ’ s smart as hell .” – JOSH HACHAT DI
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