NORWALK, Ohio (June 25) -- Series founder and primary financial supporter Roger Burgess is very pleased with the inaugural season of the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series initiative. He's not so happy, however, with the performance of his own three-car stable, which includes himself, Ray Commisso, and Melanie Troxel.
"It's time for all of us to make a move," Burgess said. "Things haven't gone as well as we would have liked for them to go but I've got a lot of confidence that we will do better.
"The team stayed after Bristol and tested the wheels off these things. I know they've got Raymond's ProCare Rx car running good, and they figured out Melanie's new In-N-Out Burger car and got it running really quick with a couple of very promising hits, so I expect them to step it up immediately. My car should be fine as well."
Burgess is the highest ranked driver on the team, although it's unlikely he'll crow about his current 13th-place perch. Commisso, who missed one of the first six races after the death of his father, is five points back in 14th place, while Troxel, who led the points after the second race of the year, is 16th overall with three DNQs on her scorecard.
"We put Melanie in a new car for Bristol and we've now switched (crew chief) Bob Newberry over to my car and put Al (Billes, crew chief) on Melanie's and Raymond's cars so that he'd have two identical cars to work on," Burgess said. "They both drive Camaros now and my car is Corvette, and they do react a little differently, so we thought this move made sense.
"We're doing all we can. I'd like to see all three of us get into the top 10 before we're done and maybe steal away a win or two. The team certainly is ready to make a move."
As for this weekend's event in Norwalk, Commisso is excited to return to a track where he's had great success in the past.
"I won an IHRA race there in Pro Mod so I'm looking forward to going back," the Canadian restaurateur said. "Hopefully we can repeat that earlier success we had there when we arrive for this weekend's race. It's a great track.
"Al tried some different combinations in testing and ran some new stuff he made. He was pretty excited with how the cars reacted. I think we'll all be running stronger."
The first two Pro Mod qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. EDT Friday.
