Sun, 12 Oct 2003, 11:15 AM Rickie Smith Retains Top Spot |
By Bobby Bennett, www.competitionplus.com Mitch Stott Brings Home the Loot in AMS Pro Modified Shootout |
ENNIS, Texas --
 Stott celebrates win.
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Stott defeated Shannon Jenkins in the finals of the $10,000-to-win AMS Pro Modified Shootout, a special race-within-a-race for the best eight qualifying points earners throughout the season.
As Stott will attest, a tricky track, less than favorable atmospheric conditions and a determined nitrous contingent made his day anything but easy.
“We fought this thing all weekend,” explained Stott. “Our computer didn’t work on the first run and we lost all of our data. The second run only gave us one second to tune off of. I have to give credit to Jimmy Rector and my crew. They put everything together and made it work.
“Of course, the good Lord above helped out too.”
Stott got off to a shaky start by pedaling to a 6.484 to fend off Smith in the first round. He also successfully navigated the quarter-mile with a 6.394, 225.96 to eliminate Al Billes.
In the final round of eliminations, Stott saved his best run for last with a 6.276, 226 to get by the noble effort of Jenkins, who laid down a 6.316, 221.94.
Jenkins appeared to be the dominant car all day despite behind-the-scenes engine problems that dogged the team. In the first session, teammate Mike Castellana nipped a piston which required the team’s full attention to repair in between sessions.
It didn’t affect Jenkins who stopped chassis builder Tim McAmis and then Thomas Patterson the quickest qualified supercharged entry.
In stopping Patterson, Jenkins wounded his motor and made the change prior to the final.
“I guess it just goes with the territory,” explained Jenkins. “We got behind the eight ball early in the day. We hurt the good motor earlier in the day. We put our good motor in and even though we still lost, we still put in a good lap.”
Just how tough was this day of qualifying? If actions speak louder than words, one driver was able to crack the 6.308 bubble.
The fortunate driver was Tim McAmis, the top-ranked AMS Pro Modified Shootout points earner, who lost the battle but won the war. In the first round of the Shootout despite losing to Jenkins, McAmis gained a place in the field with a 6.294, 225.11. He leapt into the fifth spot.
McAmis’ fortune proved to be Fred Hahn’s misfortune as his 6.308 best was relegated to the 9th spot. This marks the second consecutive event that the Summit-sponsored team missed the cut.
Von Smith, recent Memphis runner-up, also missed the cut in Roy Hill’s Mustang.
Nineteen entries made the trek to Dallas.
Sacrificing for the team – Both Shannon Jenkins and Mike Castellana earned a place into the eight-car field on Friday. However, in the midst of making the second quickest lap on the first day of qualifications, the defending World Champion damaged an axle bearing seal. Since Jenkins was qualified in the show, Castellana offered the one off of his nearly identical ’68 Camaro so his driver/teammate could participate in the AMS Pro Modified Shootout. Another part was ordered from a parts place and if it doesn’t arrive in time for the first session, Castellana would have had to sit out the session. The interesting thing about the scenario is that Jenkins got into the AMS Shootout as an alternate when Quain Stott failed to arrive in Dallas. Castellana was the second alternate. He might have fared better by sitting out the round. Castellana nipped a piston on what could have been a low-6.2-second run.
Hill Team Sold – Roy Hill confirmed that his complete Pro Modified team has been sold to Texas businessman Tom Lipar, an associate sponsor on the team. Hill added that he has two Jerry Haas cars on order and a new trailer coming from Elite. The new operation will compete in Pro Modified.
Hemis huffing – Entering the final session only one of eight qualifiers of the supercharged Hemi persuasion were in the field. According to two different tuners, the atmospheric conditions prevalent in the last three sessions have not been favorable at all. The Hemi of Kirk Kuhns was the only one to qualify for Sunday’s eliminations.
Shootout shortcomings – Three of the five participants in the AMS Pro Modified Shootout failed to make the show – Fred Hahn, Al Billes and Mitch Stott.
The twos have it – Sometimes the number two can be headed in opposite directions. Dallas marked the second consecutive event that points leader Fred Hahn failed to qualify. It also marked the second consecutive time that Scott Ray has qualified at NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge events. Last year’s defending champion Mike Ashley starts tomorrow’s eliminations two spots higher at fourth.
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