Mike Knowles, driver of the Knowles Enterprises/B&J Transmissions '63 Corvette Pro Mod, is a man on
a mission. Heading into the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge event at the MAC Tools NHRA U.S.
Nationals, he sits tenth in points which, itself is a great accomplishment, but Knowles' goal is to
break into the top eight and compete in the $35,000 Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash to be contested in
Las Vegas at the end of October.
To accomplish his goal, he will have to make up at least 75 points on Jay Payne who is holding on
to the No. 8 spot - something Knowles said he is fully capable of doing.
"We had a record setting weekend in Englishtown, and we're ready to pick up right where we left off
coming into the U.S. Nationals," Knowles said.
He set his personal bests in E-town, running a 5.929 at 242.80 mph during eliminations.
"Since then, we spent time testing, and that went really, really well. We've got these new Chuck
Ford blowers on the car and they made all the difference in the world. I'm very happy with them.
Chuck really knows how to build a blower - it's like a secret ingredient to running fast," he said.
"I'd have to say, too, that a lot of our success comes from the fact that we're running a Tim
McAmis car, and he has made us such a great car. Tim McAmis racecars speak for themselves. Add the
blower, our B&J Transmission and the chassis, and we've definitely got a combination that will make
some real noise when we get to Indy.
"Of course, without my team, none of it would work like it does, so I have to tip my hat to all the
guys that make up our team. They're the very best.
"The goal is to win the race, and that's exactly what we're going out there to do," he added.
Qualifying is scheduled for one round at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening, two rounds Saturday scheduled
for 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. and a final qualifier at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Eliminations begin at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday evening and continue Monday.
