Words by Mickey Schultz
Action photos by Ron Lewis
Headshots by Jeff Burk and Steve Gruenwald
11/4/04

For the first time since its inception in 2001, the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge moved to a 16-car field with the first round of eliminations held on Saturday and the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals on Sunday.

In the opening round on Saturday, Jay Payne defeated No. 1 qualifier Mike Castellana on a holeshot and Pro Mod legend Scotty Cannon saw his son Scott Cannon, Jr. take over the '53 Studebaker and defeat Von Smith.

Other first round winners included Richie Stevens, Jr., Zach Barklage, Mike Ashley, Danny Rowe, Shannon Jenkins and Chip King.

With his win in the first round, coupled with Al Billes' loss to Ashley's teammate Danny Rowe, Mike Ashley wrapped up the championship for 2004 for the Pro Mod class.  He received the DRO/NMM Cup at the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge awards banquet at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday evening.

"We worked hard all season," said Ashley, who drives the Unique Performance/Infinet Insurance/Torco Racing Fuels '67 Shelby Mustang. 

"It all started here (Las Vegas) last season.  We didn't have the kind of season that measured up to our standards so we made a game plan to be the best this year. We went out and tested and that proved to help.  I've always said our team was made up of a bunch of winners.  Now we are champions."

In the second round Scott Cannon, Jr. took an easy win over Jay Payne, Zach Barklage turned back Richie Stevens, Jr., Mike Ashley got the best of teammate Danny Rowe and Shannon Jenkins defeated Chip King.

The semifinals saw Scott Cannon, Jr. (6.332/224.36), on a holeshot, move to his first final round on the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge circuit when he defeated Zach Barklage (6.321/226.54).  His opponent will be Shannon Jenkins (6.277/222.58) who turned back a tire shaking Mike Ashley (13.069/116.36).