Mon, May 11, 10:17 AM Pennzoil Drivers Power Into Old Bridge Township

Courtesy of Bob Brown

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - The 29th Annual Mopar Parts Nationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park will provide some extra opportunities for Team Pennzoil to race its way into the winner's circle. Aside from the usual slate of professional racing, Pro Stock stalwart Bruce Allen will be joined by Pennzoil stablemate Mike Thomas in the 14th Annual Pro Stock Challenge.

Allen, the driver of the Outlaw Fuel Additives Pontiac Firebird, certainly has experience on his side as the best eight Pro Stock drivers of the past year square off for the Challenge's $50,000 first prize. Allen has reached the final round of the special event six times, which makes him the most prolific driver in the history of the Challenge. On two of those occasions, Allen won the affair outright, tying him with Warren Johnson for the most career titles.

The Pro Stock Challenge invites the best eight qualifying drivers from the past year. For the professional drivers of the most competitive class in the National Hot Rod Association, being a part of the Challenge represents a consistency with their car and racing team. "Anytime you're one of the elite and you're honored for what you've accomplished, you have to be satisfied," Allen said. "Our record shows that over the long run, we're one of the best teams out here. Our ability to qualify in the top half of the field on a consistent basis speaks well of our program."

Thomas, the driver of the Pennzoil Pontiac Firebird, earned his first Challenge invite over the course of the last 14 races. Since he switched from a rented engine to his own in-house Finish Line Product's powerplant last September, Thomas has been one of the best qualifiers on the circuit. He has reached the elimination round of 12 of the last 14 races and has qualified in the upper half of the field seven times. If there is a sleeper in the high- profile field, it's Thomas.

"This is quite a thrill for all of us in the Pennzoil crew," Thomas said. "It's nice to be reminded that hard work and long hours pay off. I'm very excited about our car right now. We changed bodies from the Gumout car to the Pennzoil car two races ago and there has been a little adjustment period. But I finally feel like we have this thing dialed in perfectly now and we are ready to get after it. I would love to win the Pro Stock Challenge and the Mopar Nationals in the same weekend. That would be something to remember."

The first round of the Pro Stock Challenge takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Allen will open against Kurt Johnson while Thomas will start opposite Kurt's father Warren Johnson. According to the elimination ladder, the Pennzoil pair could face each other in the final round of the Challenge if they both win their first two races. All of the special event's races will be held on Saturday.