Drag Illustrated Issue 187, March / April 2024 | Page 40

Dirt

Five Races Set for 2024 NEOPMA Season

By Nate Van Wagnen

Celebrating its 32nd season of fast doorslammer racing in 2024 , the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association ( NEOPMA ) is moving forward with a condensed five-race schedule . The series will continue to run all combinations and power adders together in one Pro Modified class using the eighth-mile format . The 2024 NEOPMA schedule includes a new stop at New England Dragway , joining dual stops at both Maryland International Raceway and Empire Dragway .

“ We would ’ ve liked to have our usual eight races on the schedule for this year , but scheduling conflicts ruled that out ,” said John Mazzorana ,
founder and president , NEOPMA . “ The race calendar is loaded with Pro Modified events , which is a good thing for Pro Mod fans and teams , but it didn ’ t leave many openings on the calendar . We do our best not to schedule our events on top of other series or races . Fortunately , our longstanding track partners at MIR had two dates on the schedule for us , as did our relatively new partners at Empire . We ’ re also looking forward to a new experience at New England Dragway .”
The 2024 NEOPMA season will kick off April 26-27 at MIR ’ s 16th annual Door Wars , the traditional season opener for the group . Empire is next on the schedule for the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Challenge VI , June 21-22 . The series then heads to its northernmost track , New England Dragway in Epping , New Hampshire , on July 26-27 .
“ I ’ m looking forward to our trip up to Epping ,” Mazzorana said . “ I know it ’ s a long haul for some of our teams , but we will be reaching a group of fans that has been begging to see a great Pro Mod show . Epping has a rich Pro Mod history , but it ’ s been some time since they ’ ve had a group like
we ’ re hoping to bring .”
NEOPMA will return to Empire for the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Challenge VII on August 16-17 . The season will conclude back at MIR on September 27-28 at the Supercharger Showdown .
Drivers expected to compete in the 2024 NEOPMA season include reigning series champion Derek Ward , Steve King and the Pilot / King / Miller team , Canadian Pro Mod veteran Kenny Lang , two-time NEOPMA champion Mike Decker Jr . and his son , Mike “ Hollywood ” Decker III , nitrous standout Matt Deitsch , and past NEOPMA champion Fredy Scriba , who will debut a new car .
“ I believe our series provides a great value for our track partners and sponsors ,” Mazzorana said . “ I ’ m proud of the group of Pro Mod racers who run with us – numerous 3.60-second cars and even a few 3.50-second cars . These drivers and teams put on an incredible show at our events , and they often do very well when they compete with other organizations and in standalone Pro Mod races . I appreciate our loyal members , sponsors , and track partners for their support , and I ’ m looking forward to year 32 of the NEOPMA .”
For more info on the 2024 NEOPMA season , visit NEOutlawProMods . com . DI
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID HILNER
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