Janis Shakes Rust Off 1/4 Mile Tune Up; Heads to Gatornationals
March 11, 2010
Elma, NY – It’s been over a year since Mike Janis has made a full quarter mile pass in a legal Pro Mod. In that time Janis took home a couple wins on the 1/8 mile outlaw circuit but he’ll be the first to tell you there’s nothing like the quarter mile.
“We had a fantastic time last season. The people over there were the best part. They have a top notch program there and we were proud to be a small part of it but the lure of quarter mile racing always pulled at me. It’s something I’ll never shake I guess,” said Janis.
Not only will Janis be returning to the quarter mile; he’ll be joining the NHRA and their first ever sanctioned professional Pro Modified race. For the past nine seasons, Pro Mod has been considered an exhibition class when run at NHRA events, but this weekend that all changes. The 41st NHRA Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals will mark the first time in history that Pro Modifieds will be considered a professional NHRA category. The NHRA Gatornationals is the first of 10 events in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series.
“To be a part of something like this is just spectacular,” said Team Owner/Driver, Mike Janis. Roger Burgess has put so much behind this and no one can thank him enough. He’s taken a class that is so loved by so many and put it on his back and made this all a reality. I don’t know what to say to him that could ever express my admiration for what he’s done.”
The Buffalo, NY area team has been busy non-stop since the announcement of the NHRA accepting the class.
“When news of this came out we knew this is where we needed to be and it’s been full bore ever since,” said Crew Chief, Mike Janis Jr. “Being away from legal competition for a year has put us in a bit of an uphill battle for a little bit but I’m sure we’ll have something for the other teams,” “Because of where we live, most of our off season testing is limited to our Dyno at our shop, Jan-Cen Motorsports of Elma, NY. So, we’ve been very limited as to our on track testing, but I’m sure we’ll be OK.”
Weather permitting Aeroquip sponsored, Mike Janis, and the rest of the Pro Modified contingent will b e afforded three shots at the Gainesville, Florida surface before eliminations. Qualifying runs are to be Friday at 1:45 and 4:30 and Saturday at 1:45 with the first round of eliminations to be held Saturday at 4:30 and concluded Sunday.
The NHRA Get Screen America Pro Modified races will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.
