Lang Provides First for Canadian Drag Racing Scene

Many have tried before him, but it will be the name Kenny Lang that the annals of drag racing history will show as being the very first Canadian World Champion in Pro Modified class racing.

Last Sunday, Lang, from Grand Pointe Manitoba,clinched the 2008 IHRA Pro Modified title during the season ending World Finals held at Rockingham NC.   Driving his Al Billes tuned, NitroMoose.ca supercharged ’53 Corvette,  Lang’s hard fought season quest became a reality during the first round of competition. Lang Provides First for Canadian Drag Racing Scene

Many have tried before him, but it will be the name Kenny Lang that the annals of drag racing history will show as being the very first Canadian World Champion in Pro Modified class racing.

Last Sunday, Lang, from Grand Pointe Manitoba,clinched the 2008 IHRA Pro Modified title during the season ending World Finals held at Rockingham NC.   Driving his Al Billes tuned, NitroMoose.ca supercharged ’53 Corvette,  Lang’s hard fought season quest became a reality during the first round of competition.

Lang was assured the title when his closest season series rival, New York’s Mike Castellana, suffered an unexpected center line disqualification during round one of eliminations.  That mathematically made Lang the 2008 World Champion, and he proceeded on to a strong semi-final round finish at the World Finals event. 

Kenny Lang’s ultimate season result is an inspirational story and a true testament to how hard work and dedication can prevail despite what may have initially been rather long odds.

“Back in the Spring I felt we had things in place to do this (Championship),” Lang reflected.  “I had a great car, great crew and I had Al Billes with us for the season.  By far we don’t have anywhere near the most money out there but we overcame that with great chemistry and high determination.”

After stumbling out of the season gate with a first round loss at San Antonio TX last March, the team’s fortunes took a big turn for the better when they won back-to-back events at Rockingham NC and Milan MI.  In the end they won three times on the season tour, had three more “final four” finishes and qualified at all ten IHRA national events.  In the final tally their points total of 771 beat out 2nd place Castellana by 64 points.

“There is no doubt that Al Billes is our biggest asset,” Lang continued.  “I needed a reliable engine program and I needed horsepower – and he provided both.  We ran the whole season with one motor and we never oiled the track or had a blag flag penalty. Nine times out of ten the car went down the race track.  That is a credit to my all volunteer crew.  They spent a lot of time and energy to get this accomplished.”

“The IHRA’s Pro Mod division features ferocious competition and to prevail over that quality makes the title even sweeter,” he added.  “Dealing event to event with guys like Castellana, Halsey and many others made this very hard.  Although I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet -- I’m very proud of what we accomplished.”
The IHRA World Championship title was also a rewarding development for Al Billes, whose tuning reputation within drag racing has reached modern day legendary status.  Billes, from Barrie, ON., had come close to the IHRA Pro Mod title as a driver, finishing 2nd in final World points twice during the 1990’s.

“I guess this is some consolation because it didn’t happen to me as a driver,” Billes said.  “So it feels good to get it as a tuner.  It felt like it was a long time coming – I’m very happy for Kenny and his guys.  They did an awesome job without a lot of money.”

For more information about Kenny Lang visit the new the NitroMoose Motorsports team website:  www.NitroMoose.ca