Series Pro Modified class news 2009-02-11

Mickey Thompson to Sponsor Pro Modified Ten Grand Slam

NORWALK, Ohio - IHRA is pleased to announce that Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has stepped up to present an exciting new bonus program for the Pro Modified class. For 2009, a $10,000 payday is up for grabs in the winner-take-all Mickey Thompson Ten Grand Slam.

"Pro Modified racing had its beginnings in IHRA, and for the past 19 years we've had the quickest and fastest quarter-mile competition in the sport," said Tommy Dupree, IHRA/Norwalk Properties National Sales Manager. "We're proud to be able to work with Mickey Thompson to bring this bonus program to the racers who have supported us for so many years."

Points will accrue through the first nine events of the season, ending at the IHRA President's Cup Nationals in September. To be eligible, participants must have the Mickey Thompson program decal on their cars.

During the Friday night qualifying session at the IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway the weekend of October 24-25, the names of the top eight points earners will be dropped into a hat. A representative from Mickey Thompson will then draw two names, and the lucky racers will have a chance to go head-to-head for all the cash.

The final showdown will take place during Saturday night qualifying. The two combatants will be paired up during qualifying and run for a $10,000 winner-take-all purse. If the winner is running Mickey Thompson tires on the rear of his or her car, there's an additional $2,500 bonus available.

"This is another way we can do something for our loyal Pro Mod racers," Dupree said. "I really have to thank Mickey Thompson for providing this excellent extra incentive."

"Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has been a big part of the IHRA racing family for years and we will continue to expand our involvement in the 'big tire' segment of the sport," said Carl Robinson, Motorsports Manager, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. "This is just another way that we reward the racers. We'd love to see the winning racer cross the finish line on Mickey Thompson tires, and we have the tires to get the job done."

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires designs, develops and distributes specialty tires for the street, strip, track, and off-road. Since its founding in 1963, the company has championed many firsts in the tire industry, from wide low-profile street tires to rugged, aggressive-tread off-road tires. Designing and producing innovative tread patterns and compounds to build the best performance tires in the world was the company's focus then, and is still their focus today.

-credit: ihra