Glen Kerunsky who had only began to dabble in IHRA events over the past couple of seasons won huge in Pro Modified eliminator during Sunday's IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals. Driving his supercharged and Tim McAmis built ’57 Chevy, Kerunsky, the overall season points champion for the independent West Coast Pro Mod Association last year moved himself to a higher echelon within North America's Pro Mod scene with the victory. After running a best of 6.308 secs during qualifying, Kerunsky ambushed the very swift Pro Mod field from the final #16 qualified position. Kerunsky's skilled team made their driver progressively faster throughout the event. After beating the event's surprise low qualifier Zack Barklage with a 6.328 secs at 223.99 mph in round one, Glen quickened his pace to a 6.286 secs at 224.51 mph to rudely oust defending IHRA World Champion Mitch Stott in round two. With that victory it seemed that destiny was very much on Kerunsky’s side because the Western Canadian driver proceeded to easily romp past the nitrous-injected cars of Steve Vick and ultimately Detroit’s Harold Martin with consecutive runs of 6.265 secs and 6.275 secs --- to win it all.

"Coming from number 16 and beating a field with guys like this is just awesome," said Kerunsky. "Last year we did well in IHRA at the events we did attend -- we made a couple semi finals. So it's great to get our first win under our belt. Of course my crew did a fantastic job. They had the car running so consistently that it was just a pleasure to drive.”

The Pro Mod final round was in fact "that" close to being an all-Canadian affair because fellow Calgarian Rick Distefano had also advanced to the semi final round. Unfortunately for Distefano he blew his motor up doing it and could not make repairs in time for the “final four” where he would have enjoyed lane choice over Harold Martin. Distefano had been the quickest Canadian Pro Mod car at the event running a 6.223 secs for the #3 qualifying position and had beaten Thomas Patterson and Mike Castellanna in earlier rounds.

(Photos by: Bryan Epps and Bruce Biegler)

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