In March of 2001, the NHRA held the first ever Pro Mod exhibition at the Gatornationals. 13-years later and here we are again, the Pro Mods are still around and still a super exciting part of the program at select NHRA national events during the year. The Gatornationals have been part of the NHRA tour since they were added for the 1970 “Super Season” making the tour an even 10 races instead of the seven that made up the season previously. Since this is the place where the Pro Mod class made its NHRA debut, the race has big time meaning to the competitors who will be there and it is an all-star class of entires.

For starters, the guy who won the first deal in 2001, Rickie Smith is on the list. How neat is that? Mike Castellana was there and he’ll be part of the 2013 program, the Tutterow family was also one of the “founding members” of the NHRA Pro Mod club and they’ll be back to try and qualify here in 2014 as well. The cars are a hell of a lot faster, a hell of a lot more technologically advanced, and a hell of a lot more tightly grouped than they ever were more than a decade ago. There’s another element to consider as well, turbos. During the 2001 season it was the classic nitrous versus blower battle. These days it is nitrous, blowers, and turbos making up the engine combos for the class and incredibly all three are decently matched by the rules. (Some say that the nitrous guys are favored). One thing that has not changed in 13 years is the fact that these are electrifying cars to watch and they they provide as many or more chills and thrills than other classes that will be competing over the weekend. These things look like cars and fans respond to their appearance and attitude.

28 cars for 16 spots mean that qualifying is going to be high stakes poker with everyone trying to run their biggest and baddest number as early as possible. When Pro Mods were truly the going thing, we can remember being at races where 40+ would show up for a 16-car field. That was beyond nuts. We think that 28 cars trying to wedge into 16-spots and the 28 cars are all GOOD cars means that Gatornationals fans are in for an experience they won’t soon forget.

Here are the story lines to follow this weekend:

Steve Matusek is now racing with Danny Rowe’s Agave Underground Tequila team. He’s in a Chevy with a blower and an automatic transmission after coming out of a Ford with a manual trans and turbos. Talk about a change! The car has run well in testing and with Jimmy Rector turning the screws, it won’t be down on power!

Pal of BangShift Peter Farber will debut a brand new CRC Industries Charger Daytona that was built by Dan Page Race Cars in New Hampshire and has many advancements over his previous car. Again, testing has proven to be fruitful and successful.

Canadian Ray Commisso is back for his first full season since 2013. The restauranteur from the Great White North was always one of the fastest and most talented racers at the track while he ran the tour but after a year off, does he have rust?

Bill Glidden will be at the wheel of a Mickey Thompson Tires sponsored Mustang with an 840ci nitrous engine providing the power. He’s always fast, but is he 5-second fast in that Mustang?

There are 7-nitrous cars, about as many turbos, and the balance are blown. Just the power adder conflicts alone will make for an interesting watch!

I’ve joined the NHRA Mello Yello Series announcing crew and will be doing this race in Gainesville. I will also be doing top end interviews for the pro mod drivers upcoming Velocity Channel TV show. This is going to be an incredible weekend and if the weather works, records surely could fall.

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