says Mike Bowman, the reigning, defending World Series of Pro Mod champion, with a chuckle and sly grin while standing at the top of the staging lanes at Bandimere Speedway.“ Nobody really knows what anyone has ran this week during testing, but I know what we’ ve heard – and this is going to be a hell of a drag race. If we leave together, I think we’ ve got something for him, but I don’ t think we could have a tougher draw.”

Considering he’ s preparing to go head-to-head with Derek Menholt and his Steve Petty-tuned, twinturbocharged‘ 68 Camaro that essentially everyone with a pulse has heard dipped into the 5.80s on multiple occasions during mid-week testing, it’ s hard to believe Bowman seemed so chipper. Certainly, a good portion of his mood is standard operating procedure for the southern California native, but his just-happy-to-be-here vibe seemed to be a common thread at“ the Biggest, Richest Pro Mod Drag Race in the History of the Known Universe.” Piled together in the staging lanes behind the unmistakable tower at the house John Bandimere built, the stars and cars of the second annual World Series of Pro Mod are staring down the barrel of one of drag racing’ s most intense opening stanzas.

But based on the smiles, small talk and laughter, you would think these 26 Pro Mod allstars were having the time of their lives.

Well, that’ s because they were.

Photograph By Joe McHugh DragIllustrated. com | Drag Illustrated | 75