CAYUGA, ON – The champion is back. Bruce Boland of Hamilton, ON, returned to his winning ways, capturing the Pro Modified Racing Association race during the Canadian Nitro Nationals at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park. A three-time PMRA champion, this win was the first for Boland and his 1941 Willys Pro Modified in 2012.
The win was also his series-leading tenth in PMRA competition since the series began racing in 2005. “This was a perfect weekend,” Boland said after the final round. “We had some clutch issues earlier this year, but that’s all straightened out, and we ran the same tune-up this weekend and all went well.”
Boland qualified his Willys number one with a 6.005-second, 247.57 posting, and this was his fourth straight top qualifying effort in the PMRA. He met up with number three qualifier and former IHRA Pro Modified champion Kenny Lang of Grande Pointe, MB, in the final, but Lang had some handling issues with his 1969 Camaro in the race, and Boland drove down the track’s left lane to a 6.008, 237.71 victory.
“I have to thank Rob Cesario and all my crew for their work this weekend,” Boland said. “And a big thanks to all my sponsors, Backwoods Excavating & Float Service, Excel Motorsports, Pro Racing Fuels, NGK Spark Plugs, A&A Auto Parts, Double D Construction, and Vieira Concrete Supplies. Without them this wouldn’t be possible.”
In first round action, Boland recorded the event’s only five-second run with a 5.931 eliminating number eight qualifier Jason Kalso of Clarkston, MI. In the semi-final, Boland got the jump on number five qualifier Eric Latino of Whitby, ON, to advance.
Meanwhile, Lang took out number six qualifier Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, NY, in the opening round. Grainy, coming off a recent PMRA win in Michigan, posted the meet’s fastest speed, with a 251.77 mph effort in qualifying.
Lang then eliminated a strong-running Rocky Di Lecce of Mississauga, ON, to meet up with Boland in the final. Latino eliminated number four qualifier Pete Farber of Baldwinville, MA, in the first round, and Di Lecce eliminated number two qualifier Derek Hawker of Corbyville, ON.
With his Cayuga win, Boland has a lead in the PMRA 2012 Championship Points Award Series presented by Global Emissions Systems Inc. with 838 points. Jeff Roth of New Dundee, ON, winner of the opening round this year, is second with 798 points, and Grainy is third with 797 points.
Latino is fourth at present with 796 points, and Hawker rounds out the top five with 781 points.
Next event on the seven-race PMRA tour this year is IHRA MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals July 20-22 at the Grand Bend Motorplex, and then the teams return to Cayuga for the Community Weekend event August 3-5. The PMRA will race with its companion series, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series when it returns to Cayuga, offering an exciting and colorful package of drag racing action.
The Pro Modified Racing Association competes with its two companion series, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and the Pro Bike & Sled Series. They travel and compete together throughout the racing season, offering an exciting and diverse package of drag racing action.
From Tim Miller/Media Director
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