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Final Justice for Kenny Lang!
Bruce Biegler - August 9, 2007
After being on the verge on a number of occasions before, Manitoba’s Kenny Lang has broken through for his much-anticipated first ever major Pro Modified title.
 Driving his supercharged ’53 Corvette, Lang earned what is arguably the single most prestigious Pro Modified event title of the season last weekend, taking the $20,000 first place check during the 3rd Annual Torco Race Fuels Pro Mod Shootout. The race-within-a-race, which was presented by CompetitionPlus.com, was part of Saturday’s schedule during IHRA’s Torco Northern Nationals at Michigan’s fabulous Knoll Gas Motorsports Park (formally U.S. 131 Motorsports Park).
 Using a very reliable engine program from fellow Canadian Al Billes, Lang, who owns a highly successful body shop in Grand Pointe, was all business during the Shootout.
He entered the elite 8-car event as the third seed and quickly disposed of opponents Mike Janis and Danny Rowe in rounds one and two with back-to-back laps of 6.133 secs and 6.193 secs. In the Pro Mod Shootout championship round Lang was scheduled to face off against Maryland’s Jim Halsey but when Halsey’s nitrous-injected ’68 Camaro popped a burst panel while starting – the outcome was assured.
Lang proceeded to single running an impressive 6.137 secs at 232.75 mph – numbers which may have been very difficult for Halsey to match anyways.
“We all feel some relief,” said Lang. “We had come close before but just never quite got the lucky break we needed. But we knew someday that would change and it all came together here.”
 Lang’s victory marked the 2nd time in the 3-year history of the Shootout for the title going back to Canada. Carl Spiering won the inaugural version back in 2005. Lang is coming off a 2006 rookie season during which he finished 10th in final IHRA championship PM points despite not attending every event.
“I think that we have arrived as a team,” he added. “We got a great car to start with from Rick Distefano and we have added an awesome engine program from Al Billes. I have a great crew and now we have some experience. Everything is starting to click and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”
For more background information of the team check out the Kenny Lang Motorsports team profile in DragRaceCanada’s Northern Exposure subsection.
(Bruce Biegler Photos)
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