The Pro Mod community got the message , as the 50 entries for the event sold out in just over 24 hours when they went on sale months before the race . Another dozen-plus racers joined the wait list , too .

The 32-car qualified field was incredibly quick , with just a tenth of a second separating the No . 1 and No . 32 qualifiers . Daniel Pharris qualified No . 1 with a 3.616 and the late Tim Slavens rounded

out the field with a 3.717 in the No . 32 spot . The event ran smoothly , and after five rounds of racing , Melanie Salemi scored the $ 50,000 win when she defeated Ken Quartuccio in the final round .

Fans filled the stands all weekend , too , to catch the Pro Mod show , as well as the numerous radial classes , Pro Outlaw 632 , and sportsman racing that joined the 50th anniversary celebration . “ That race was a monumental moment for a

NHRA TEXAS FALLNATIONALS / STAMPEDE OF SPEED , PDRA WORLD FINALS , NHRA GATORNATIONALS , AND WORLD DOORSLAMMER NATIONALS

lot of us at the track ,” says Victor Alvarez , who purchased the track in 2018 . “ Not just staff , even locals and people who ’ ve been supporting that event for a long time .”

The Snowbirds has been one of Bradenton ’ s marquee races – if not the marquee race – for many years , but some of its luster had worn off by the time Alvarez acquired the track . Since it was the first event where he experienced Pro Mods launching up close and personal – where he fell in love with the class , really – it became his mission to restore the event to prominence as a destination race .

“ We all dedicated ourselves to thinking of ideas to try to bring it back ,” Alvarez says . “ We did more than that . I think we really reestablished that race and I think it will be great for years to come . Honestly , it was so good that I ’ m already committed to doing $ 50,000 to win again .” – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

PHOTO : CHRIS SEARS