The best way to follow up on a win, according to Pro Mod driver Rick Stivers, is with another win -
and that's exactly what the driver of the Trane 2006 Stratus Pro Mod is planning for this weekend's
Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge event at the NHRA Virginia Nationals. On the heels of his
first win of the season at the last event in Charlotte, N.C., the Kentucky-based HVAC entrepreneur
is returning to the site of his first Pro Mod Challenge win - the 2007 event at Virginia
Motorsports Park.
"Brad (Anderson, team owner and crew chief) and all the guys have really worked so hard since we
got the new car back, and the last race everything came together for us. I can't thank him enough.
Bad Brad, Andre, Donnie, Scott, Jeremy and all the BAE people for getting me and the car back on
track. And my teammate Jay Payne, Shelly, Toby and Maddie -- everyone. This Trane hot rod is on a
tear, and there's no reason why we can't come out this weekend and repeat the win. I've done it
here before, and we've done it this season, too," Stivers said.
Stivers will need a combination of events in order to overcome the 59-point deficit he faces in
order to make the top-eight and qualify for the $35,000 Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash - something he
has pushed for since he came back from his devastating crash at St. Louis earlier this season. The
difference will come from Tim Tindle or Jay Payne not qualifying or losing first-round combined
with a top qualifying spot and going to the finals - it's not out of the question according to
Stivers.
"And then there's Knowles and Personett who are ahead of me too - and they will have to do the same
early-round exits also. Every one of those guys - Tindle, Knowles, Personett, even my teammate Jay
- they are all amazing drivers and have cars that can go rounds. The thing for me is, Brad's put
together a car that I can win with, and I could even get 20 points for setting a world record. IF
there's any place to do this, this is it," Stivers said.
"This is why we race them on the track, not on paper - and this will be an amazing weekend," he
added.
Qualifying rounds are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, and 2:00 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 10. Eliminations begin Friday evening with the B&J Transmissions Bonus round scheduled for
4:00 p.m. Saturday, and the balance of eliminations scheduled to run Sunday afternoon.
