Many drag racing fans believe hell froze over on March 16, 2001, the day the first Pro Modified cars made a run down an NHRA national event. After all, the volatile doorslammers were the first "homegrown" professional category cultivated and produced under the IHRA sanction.

Those who know better categorize this as a "frosting" and not a full-blown freezing.

Let the record reflect, in the midst of a 90-degree day at Lucas Oil Raceway during the most prestigious drag race in the world, the actions of eight drivers and a sanctioning body willing to put away the rigidness of the past officially triggered the freezing over of Hell.

The Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals played host to an exhibition of eight Mountain Motor Pro Stock cars providing an exhibition many believe is the impetus for inclusion into the 500-inch format as early as next season.

As NHRA announcer Alan Rinehart alluded, "Time changes a lot of things."

"You know, out of all the things I have done, and accomplished this is the top of the list," said John Montecalvo, a past Mountain Motor Pro Stock champion who participated in the exhibition. "I never dreamed in all of my life you'd ever see a Mountain Motor Pro Stock car, basically an IHRA car ... used to be the enemy over here, running at an NHRA U.S. Nationals event."

Run they did, and they did it quickly with John DeFlorian laying down the quickest run of four exhibition sessions at 6.351 seconds, with a trap speed of 221.50.

Montecalvo believes, with reservations about admitting for fear of future rules ramifications, these cars could run as quick at 6.18 with the right atmospheric conditions.

"Pete Berner went 6.20 at the Shakedown; I don't know how many years ago," Montecalvo said. "It was probably like eight or nine years ago. I know we have more power since then. I think in the ideal conditions, one of these cars could go 6.18 at 228 miles per hour.

"I probably shouldn't say that because I am thinking of the pounds [NHRA] is going to put on me,"

If the NHRA grants inclusion for the Mountain Motor entries it is expected they will carry an extra 250 pounds just like in 1988 when the IHRA attempted to merge the two styles.

It's time for a history lesson about the last time the 500-inch Pro Stockers and Mountain Motors were combined in the same class. https://t.co/fEjOp2zd5V

— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) August 27, 2018