Willys team records personal best on way to taking first race of 2012 season
CAYUGA, ONTARIO (May 20, 2012) – As Bruce Boland and Jeff Roth staged for the final in the Pro Modified Racing Association's season opener at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park, the only thing certain was that a Willys Pro Modified would win the contest.
Boland, of Hamilton, Ontario, posted the number one spot in qualifying with a 5.984-second, 237.67-mph pass, and Roth was right behind him with a 5.999, 238.34, the first sub six-second pass for the team.
As the cars staged the scene was set, it was anybody's race, but with a rare miscue, Boland fouled at the line as Roth blasted to a 6.008, 237.30, giving the New Dundee, Ontario driver his first win of the season.
We had a great day, everything worked well, said Roth after the race, the first of seven for the 2012 PMRA season. This has been a long time coming.
Driving the Roth Racing Willys, Roth defeated number seven qualifier Eric Latino of Whitby, Ontario, and number three qualifier Rob Atchison of London, Ontario to meet up with former PMRA champion Boland and the B&B Racing Willys in the final. Both drivers cut a close light at the start, but Boland jumped the light by just .006 seconds to lose the round. Roth said he was pleased with his performance on the line in the final.
We had to be on our game, he noted. And we snapped a good light against Bruce.
The win was Roth's second in PMRA competition, his first coming at the Grand Bend Labor Day race in September of 2009.
In round one, Boland eliminated number eight qualifier Jason Kalso of Clarkston, Michigan, and number four qualifier Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario to meet up with Roth in the final. Hawker defeated number five qualifier Jay Santos of Halton Hills, Ontario in round one, and Atchison took out number six qualifier Rocky Di Lecce of Mississauga, Ontario, also in round one.
Roth said the win couldn't have come without help from his team and sponsors.
I want to thank Dave (Bankes) and the rest of the crew, he said. I also want to thank our sponsors Oak Grove Cheese, NGK Spark Plugs, Shellbourne Fuels, Fire Core 50 and Outer Limits Transportation.
Roth leads Pro Modified Racing Association 2012 Championship Point Award Series with 355 points, Boland is next with 346 points, and Hawker third with 333 points. Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, New York is next with 324 points, and Santos rounds out the top five with 322 points.
Next race for the PMRA is the Summer Showdown June 8-9 at US 131 Motorsports Park at Martin, Michigan.
