Nashville, TN, (April 12, 2018) One of today’s most exciting classes in NHRA drag racing has become the Pro Mod series, now in its first season sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs. The 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service is a show like no other in the NHRA series, allowing multiple makes of cars, builders and engines to compete on a level playing field, now drawing ever increasing throngs of fans to each city that Pro Mod races at NHRA. The 2018 season is shaping up yet again, as a special one with barely thousands-of-a-second continually dividing winners and runners up, from a Pro Modified entry field of over 30 cars per market.
One of those competing racers is Shane Molinari, from Battleground, WA. Shane started when a couple buddies asked if he was interested in drag racing. In 1985 they decided to all pitch in on their first car: a ’70 Camaro. “One guy owned the car and a race shop; RH Race Cars,” says Molinari. “I supplied engine/transmission and I drive. And then our other partner Justin Bond, helped with proceeds from his Spreader company. We just winged it and now we are cruisin’! We started in Top Sportsman, went on to Top Dragster.” Fast forward and the team is now in their 4th year of Pro Mod class. Molinari continues his pursuit commanding the speed of his twin turbo ’68 Firebird. “And we got ourselves a good tuner this year. We’re Rollin!” says Molinari.
Molinari fills his trophy room with quite a few accolades from along the way with awards such as a 4th overall in 2017 NHRA points. Included in the season, he won Most Improved Driver of the Year and he drove his way to a win at Norwalk.
Molinari plans to compete in the full 12-race NHRA series in 2018. Also in his sights for the year are the World Series of Pro Mod in Denver as well as racing memorial day weekend at Indy. Molinari claims his all-time fastest pass in the ¼ mile at 5.745 @ 257 +MPH.
Of all the time spent at the track, Molinari recalls his favorite personal memory as winning Norwalk. And just anytime they can compete. “Pro Mod class is so crazy!” claims Molinari. “Anytime you can qualify, you’re doing great. In Gainesville (and Charlotte), there were 35 cars trying to qualify for a 16-car field. Just to make the field is a big accomplishment. And what’s cool is there’s nitrous cars, turbo cars, blower cars and it’s super competitive; everyone is running within .10 of a second. It’s crazy to see (times) from no.1 to no.16 just that close. And they are wild rides; Super fun to drive! It’s a cool class!”
Ask Molinari his favorite motorsports hero and he calls out his own, Brad Personett. “He kinda started the whole turbo thing,” says Molinari, “and he’s now our tuner! How badass is that!?” A few others to help get their car down the track includes JBS - Justin Bond and Sons Ltd., Artex Barn Solutions, RAD Torque Systems, Redline and Molinari’s own S & T Truck Repair; where he says he seems to spend all his time when he is not at the track.
Also during his down time, Molinari spends time with his family. “I like to play with my grandson,” he says. “ I’m sure people don’t know I have a grandson.” Beyond that he says “all I really do is work and race.” Currently a second generation is coming up behind Molinari and his daughter is racing as well.
Just like Shane Molinari, E3 appreciates the support from the racers/teams/participants competing in the E3 Spark Plug Pro Mod class of the NHRA and we are excited for the 2018 season.?Thank you everyone in the sport and everyone in the stands! For more information about E3 spark plugs, visit online E3 Spark Plugs (https://e3sparkplugs.com/), email (https://e3sparkplugs.com/contact/), or call 904.567.5994 to speak to one of E3’s support specialists. For more information about Shane Molinari, visit his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ShaneMolinariPM/).
ABOUT E3
E3 is a true high-performance aftermarket manufacturer providing high-performance spark plugs and ignitions systems for drag racing, off-road, late model, street rod and muscle car, tuner, sports car, marine, lawn and garden and powersports. E3 Spark Plugs are the product of years of fundamental research in the combustion field. The unique patented electrode configuration of the new E3 spark plugs increases the amount of combustion pressure created during each power stroke of an engine, which results in a marked increase in power output, fuel economy, and reduced emissions in gasoline engines.
