Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing
Photo by Roger Richards

Grand Junction, CO – Not only did veteran Pro Mod Racer, Mike Knowles make it to the finals of the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Part Nationals in Charlotte, NC he did it in fine fashion setting a new unofficial record for a Blown Converter Driven Legal Pro Mod at 5.888 seconds and 245 miles per hour.

“Man, I tell you after the start of the week I had and all the stuff that happened in the pits. Our performance here as a team really means a lot; I wish we could have got the win but tuning under the conditions we were faced with is tough. This is a new combination this year and the more experience we get with it the better we will be. I’m just really proud of my guys,” said Knowles.

The trials and tribulations Knowles is referring to is the fact that prior to leaving for the event one of his companies Tractor Trailers burnt to the ground and that while at the event a spectator burglarized the team’s pit space. A member of Knowles crew confronted the man and a scuffle ensued. The man was later escorted from the facility.

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Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing

Grand Junction, CO – Mike Knowles was literally flying high before the 2012 U.S. Nationals after a VIP flight with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels but, heavy rains were cause for the NHRA to postpone the Nationals one week; leaving Knowles and his Blown Money Team grounded for the re-scheduled event.

“We made a decent run and we were solidly in the field before the event was postponed,” said Car Chief Bill Rice. “When they re-scheduled for the following week Mike made the decision to not attend because of prior family commitments and I’m proud to be involved with a guy who makes a decision like that,” added Rice.

Last labor day weekend Mike and his wife Kim welcomed their second son Bryson to the family and this year’s U.S. Nationals marked the first birthday for young Bryson but the family postponed the party till the following week so Dad wouldn’t miss Indy two years in a row but, Mother Nature threw a wrench into the situation.

“My family makes a lot of concessions in order for me to race,” said Knowles. “They do a lot for me so; missing Bryson’s first birthday party for a race was out of the question. I didn’t give it a second thought. We packed up and got everything ready for this Charlotte,” added Knowles.

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Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing

Orillia, ON –Melanie Simmons, and her Toyrific Racing Top Dragster team, based in Orillia, Ontario Canada recently signed a product marketing agreement with Aeroquip Performance Products.

Simmons, who competes on the Napa Auto Parts Quick 32 series, in her blown alcohol Top Dragster is looking forward to representing the Aeroquip Company. She stated, this is an exciting opportunity for our team to represent the Aeroquip line of products. Aeroquip is a world class company with a remarkable line of lightweight and performance driven fluid transfer products. I look forward to representing Aeroquip in fine fashion”.

Simmons will be driving her 6.60 second 200 mph plus dragster at this weekend’s IHRA Nitro Jam Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario Canada.

Follow Simmons and her Toyrific team at www.Toyrificracing.com

Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing
Photo by Jody Wilson

Harrison TWP, MI – Todd Robertson and his Pro Power Motorsports team are very familiar with the Bader families Summit Motorsports Park. Robertson has competed regularly at the famed strip for nearly two decades, most recently during the tracks Door Wars series where Robertson took home multiple wins at the wheel of his “Outlaw Pro Mod”.

“This is probably my favorite track, said Robertson. Our team has had a good amount of success here and the Bader family always treats us well. It’s only a couple hours from home so we have some friends who come to see us when we race here and with this being our first national here I think we’ll have quite a few friends and family here cheering us on,” added Robertson.

 This marks the second event in two weeks for the Harrison Township, Michigan based team. They failed to qualify for the route 66 Nationals after experiencing a failure in the drive line.

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Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing
Photo by Roger Richards

Grand Junction, CO – Mike Knowles and his “Blown Money” team are hoping for some fireworks in the winners-circle at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. Held at Summit Motorsports Park, the event is the sixth start of the 10-race 2012 season.

“Running at Norwalk is always a good time, said Team Owner/Driver, Mike Knowles. “The fans here love their door slammers, especially Pro Mods. That makes you want to work just that much harder when you know the crowd you’re in front of. Add that to the fact that it’s basically the Fourth of July Weekend and you have the potential for some great on the track fireworks. I mean outside of what the Bader family has planned,” added Knowles.

Knowles’ team is lead in the pits by Red Bluff, California’s Bill Rice of Bill Rice’s Performance Automotive. “Billy does a fantastic job with the car. He’s one of the best mechanic’s I’ve ever worked with. He does so much more than just service the car and make it ready for each round. I’m lucky to have him as my car chief,” said Knowles.

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Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotions
Photo by Roger Richards

JOLIET, IL –“Sassy” Cassie Simonton became just the fourth female driver to reach a national event final round in NHRA TAFC competition, last weekend at the Route 66 Nationals near Chicago. The journey to the money round was not an easy one.

“Qualifying went well, we had three great passes down the track. Unfortunately we hurt it on the second and third runs, so the crew really had to thrash. Everybody pulled together and made it happen. It was a lot of hard work in the Chicago heat and humidity, but as the day went by on Sunday, it was definitely worth all of the work!” said the former junior dragster driver.

Every single round of elimination would prove to be a tight race with some of the strongest cars in the country. A #7 qualifying position meant a first round meeting with #10 qualifier Steve Gasparrelli. Crew chief Randy Anderson’s tune-up gave Cassie the power to send Steve packing, 5.66 to a losing 5.68. In the second round, “Sassy” Cassie eliminated John Lombardo Jr., 5.62 over his 5.63. In Simonton’s first semifinal appearance in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car competition, she drove the Kon Rodz Monte Carlo to a 5.65, too much for Mickey Ferro’s 5.69.

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Courtesy of Kozak Motorsports Marketing
Photo By Kim Knowles

Grand Junction, CO – Mike Knowles and the rest of the NHRA Pro Mod Series regulars are headed for the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, Father’s Day weekend, June 15-17. Held at Bristol Dragway, the event is the fifth start of the 10-race 2012 season.

Like many racers, Mike Knowles juggles the duties Husband and Father all while heading a successful business and leading a competitive professional drag racing team. While his love affair with the sport of Drag Racing is evident to all who meet the generous man from Colorado it is his family that comes first and Knowles would like nothing more than to share Father’s Day with his boys in the Winner’s Circle.

Mike Knowles and his wife, Kim, have two boys, Zach and Bryson. This will be Bryson’s first time sharing Father’s Day with Dad as he decided to come into the world last season during the U.S. Nationals weekend; causing Dad to skip the Big Go last year.

“Man, I couldn’t think of anything cooler for Father’s Day than winning my first Wally. I’ve been blessed with a healthy and loving family and sharing time with them at the races is one of my favorite things. Win or lose, anytime at the track with my family is a great day,” said Knowles.

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