Two PMRA champions are teaming up for what could be a strong offensive for the upcoming Pro Modified Racing Association tour.

 

One of last year’s co-winners, Kasey Janzen of St. Catharines, ON, will be handing over the driving duties to 2005 PMRA champ Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, NY.

 

“I’m stepping down this year,” said Janzen, who has raced the KC Motorsports Chevy Lumina Pro Modified for several seasons. “I’m more interested in the back side of racing,” he added. “I want to get more into the clutch management and the computer side of things.”

 

“Joe and I have talked about this for a while, and I’m going to let him drive. He’s certainly capable of it. I’m happy to have him drive the car.”
Janzen said the car, which is just about ready for the season, has not changed much except for driving adjustments for Lilienthal.

 

“We’ve got the car set up for Joe’s driving. Joe has a different routine to launching the car than I do. We’re pretty well ready to test it.”

 

Lilienthal, a 30-year drag racing veteran, has been a crowd-pleaser with his bright yellow Jeep-bodied Pro Modified. He has also crewed for Janzen in the past, so now the roles are reversed.

 

Never one to shy away from any track, Lilienthal said he is looking forward to driving the Raybestos/Wix Filters/KC Auto Parts Lumina.
“Kasey and I have been friends off the track and friendly rivals on the track for a long time,” he said. “We’ve talked about this, and we decided to give it a try.”

 

The team plans to run the full 2007 PMRA schedule.

 

Now in its third year of operation, The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), http://www.promodifiedracing.com/, has enjoyed strong fan popularity and will present some of the best in Pro Modified racing for 2007.

 

The PMRA will travel to several drag strips in 2007, including two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park, Lancaster Raceway Park in New York State, Sanair in Quebec, and the Southwestern Ontario track of Grand Bend Motorplex.

 

In 2006, the tour was a great success, and during the past two seasons of the PMRA, each event finished with a different winner. Joe Boniferro and Kasey Janzen tied in points last year and were crowned co-champions over the other Ontario, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania teams. Wix Filtration Products, Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., Uni-Select, and Moen Incorporated will sponsor the PMRA points series in 2007.