Special Section
EXTREME PRO STOCK ALAN DRINKWATER
PRO 632 JEFF MELNICK
● LONGTIME SPORTSMAN racer Jeff Melnick experienced a wide range of highs and lows during his rookie season in M & M Transmission Pro 632 . From dominant wins to a non-Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma diagnosis and the resulting chemo treatments , Melnick was put to the test . The Ohio-based driver rose to the challenge , though , and delivered a world championship for car owner Alan O ’ Brien . Melnick won three times in four final rounds driving the AMC small-block-powered Greenbrier Excavating & Paving ’ 20 Camaro .
“ I was happy to hold up my end of the stick most of the season , enough to get the job done ,” Melnick said . “ With my cancer battle and the chemo I ’ ve been going through , to get that done and hopefully beat the chemo and the cancer and win a championship all in the same season , it ’ s like a dream come true . It was a nightmare at one time , but a dream come true now .”
During his speech at the PDRA Championship Awards Banquet , Melnick moved the audience to tears when he announced he ’ s 100 % cancer free and in remission .
● ALAN DRINKWATER went into his rookie season in Liberty ’ s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition just hoping to get a feel for the Mountain Motor Pro Stock car and maybe win a round or two . He did all that and more , as he won twice in three final-round appearances to claim the 2023 world championship with guidance from past world champions John and Johnny Pluchino .
“ I feel like this is the best competition Mountain Motor Pro Stock has had in the past eight or 10 years ,” said Drinkwater , driver of the Kaasepowered IronListing . com ’ 13 Mustang . “ So for us to come out , not even go to the first race , make it to three finals , two wins , and couple semifinal finishes , it ’ s unbelievable . A little bit of luck ’ s been on our side , but it ’ s also all the really hard work and commitment we ’ ve put into our program and all the help we ’ ve had along the way .”
PDRA660 . com 65