NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing
Winters Takes Momentum into NHRA Carolina Nationals
(9-13-2016) Kernersville, NC - Coming off their best finish ever in NHRA Pro Mod competition, Winters Racing will take their Minimizer ’69 Chevelle Pro Mod and head to their home track for the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, NC this weekend. “It just seems like yesterday that we were at the US Nationals in Indy,” said Doug Winters. In fact the team has had a week off to recharge from the grueling schedule of the US Nationals. “But it was worth it!” explained Doug. The team was in Indy for 6 days. But this meant that they were racing on Monday in the finals. “Just to qualify in that field with 33 of the best Pro Mods on the planet was a feat in itself. Allen (Crew Chief and Doug’s brother) joked that everyone that qualified deserved a trophy.” The Indy bumped turned out to be the fastest qualified field in NHRA Pro Mod history at 5.89sec. Winters and team was able to keep bumping their way back in during each of the qualifying sessions ending up at the number 14 spot. First round eliminations was held Sunday afternoon and Doug was able to get around the number 3 qualifier, Mike Bowman. Second round was held on Labor Day Monday during the pro session at 11:00am. Doug took on Rickey Smith and with a holeshot was able to take down the previous NHRA Pro Mod champ. Doug’s weekend came to an end in the Semi-finals when they were taken out by the eventual race winner, Von Smith. “Either way you look at it, it was the best NHRA race of our life. To go all the way to the Semi-finals at the biggest NHRA race of the year was something special.”
The great showing at Indy put Doug number 11 in the championship points only 5 points out of the top 10. “One of our goals coming into this season was to finish in the top ten,” explained Doug. “For Winters Racing to be that close to the top 10 out of 39 teams entered at NHRA events this year is great. Now if we can just crack into the Top 10 we could accomplish that goal.” Doug and team will need good finishes not only at Concord, NC but as well as the next races coming up on the schedule.
Racing gets underway this weekend at the NHRA Carolina Nationals Friday with two qualifying sessions. Winters Racing is looking forward to this event for many reason. One of which is that zMax Dragway located just out of Charlotte, NC is only 70 miles from their shop. “We have a number of family and friends coming out this weekend. With our racing taking us all over the states, they don’t get many chances to see us race in person. So it will be nice seeing everyone and hopefully we can make them proud.” Pro Modified qualifying continues on Saturday with the final qualifying attempt. First round of eliminations is scheduled for Saturday afternoon with Final eliminations Sunday at noon.
Before Indy Winters Racing did a few promotions for the upcoming NHRA Carolina Nationals. One which was a burnout on pit road at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was something to see. If you want to check it out go to their Facebook page, Winters Racing LLC. It has over 40 thousand views and still growing.
Winters Racing would like to thank their sponsors for this year. If not for them they would not be having the success that they are enjoying. Our title and main sponsor Minimizer, Meritor, Truck Supply of South Carolina, Lucas Oil, Optima Batteries, NGK Spark Plugs, Richmond Gear, Andy McCoy Race Cars and MotorMedic.