The elite drivers in the AMS Pro Mod Challenge Presented by Tindle Enterprises remain focused and determined heading into this weekend’s contest at the O’Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, each vying for precious points in both the BAE Championship Cup and the ProCare Rx Pro Mod Clash as well as their share of more than $30,000 in purse and contingency money.
Series presenting sponsor Tim Tindle and his teammate Rick Stivers are both aiming to put another mark in the win column with a Chuck Ford-tuned car, while Canadian and No. 2 in the points Raymond Commisso is looking to close the deal and earn his first AMS Eagle. Defending World Champion Jay Payne is also looking to make his way to the winner’s circle, but wife and defending event champion Shelly Payne is looking to be the only repeat winner at the
Ahead in the BAE Championship race by more than 1500 points and virtually unreachable at the top, Lone Star State-native Josh Hernandez will be awarded the BAE Championship Cup at a special ceremony on Saturday, September 21 before the final round of qualifying. It’s been a season of fives for Hernandez, who has won five of the seven events contested thus far and set the World Record for quickest elapsed time in a Pro Mod at 5.912 seconds.
“I don’t think it will really set in until the awards banquet in Vegas, but I’m really excited to recognize Tommy Lipar’s support [Lipar is Hernandez’ sponsor] all the struggles and hard work Howard Moon [crew chief] and the team have gone through to earn this. It’s definitely a team effort, and I’m just the monkey who gets to sit behind the wheel, ” Hernandez said.
Hernandez will receive a $25,000 check along with the BAE Championship Cup, but the remaining positions behind the leader are still being hotly contested, as is the qualifying for the $50,000 ProCare Rx Pro Modified Clash. Drivers still have two events to earn a spot to compete for another $25,000 payday, and, because points are earned in qualifying for consistency and performance, every single run remaining has serious implications.
Series Director Matthew Brammer said, “Josh has definitely earned the crown and I couldn’t be happier for him because he and his team have been through so much to get where they are.
“I’m really looking forward to this weekend, because when we’re done, not only will we have crowned a new champion, we’ll have a really good idea who will be competing for the ProCare Rx Clash cash - and I want to see the smile on that lucky driver’s face when I hand over a suitcase filled with $25,000 in hundred dollar bills at The Strip in Vegas, ” Brammer said.
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