ROWE AND KUHNS OFF TO A SOLID START

(3-16-2008) GAINESVILLE, FL – Coming into the first race of the 2008 season, the all encompassing theme for Danny Rowe Racing was excellence through execution.  With all the necessary individuals and tools required for success, Rowe and Kuhns came into the season-opener with a great deal of confidence that was resounding through the pits after a semi-final finish at the historic NHRA Gatornationals for Kuhns and a number-six start for Danny Rowe.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my crew,” said Danny Rowe, driver of the Hottinger Group ’67 Chevy Camaro.  “To have two cars qualified in the top half of the field just shows the potential of this team and showcases that Jimmy Rector horsepower that Kirk [Kuhns] and I get to try and tame on the drag strip.”

While rain showers put a damper on the 39th annual running of the Gatornationals on Friday racing resumed on Saturday, but competitors were only given two chances to make it into the 16-car field of the first event on the 10-race JEGS ProMod Challenge tour.  Two shots were sufficient for the Danny Rowe Racing team as Kuhns slid into the number-four spot with a 6.035-second lap at 232.63mph and Rowe in 6th with a 6.075 at 236.51mph.

In the first round of competition Rowe would have to face off with fellow Canada-native Tony Pontieri.  Unfortunately, Pontieri would put together his best run of the weekend to that point (6.08/234.66) against Danny who was forced to pedal early in the run giving the win to Tony by just over a car length.

Kirk Kuhns enjoyed a mighty successful weekend in his debut under the Danny Rowe Racing umbrella.  Kuhns marched through his first round competitor, Rick Stivers, with a 6.10 at 233.80mph and caught a lucky break in the 2nd round of competition as Roger Burgess broke after staging – giving the win to Kuhns who coasted to a 6.46 at 178.71mph after a mechanical failure.

“We broke a rocker arm on the HEMI between the frame rails of this Hottinger Group ’41 Willys in the second round,” explained Kuhns.  “This team that Danny has assembled, though, didn’t even flinch when they had to put a motor in this thing between rounds.  We could run a Top Fuel operation with these guys – they had the motor swap done and the car ready to warm up in 40 minutes.  It was impressive to say the least.  I know that Danny and I both get a great sense of security knowing that we’ve got such a talented group of guys behind us with Jimmy Rector and his crew.”

The semi-final round of action would turn out to be the last of the day for Danny Rowe Racing as Kuhns lined up against eventual event winner Joe Baker.  In a battle royal between two supercharged ’41 Willys, Baker had the starting line advantage and marched to victory with a mild 6.85 at 166.29mph while Kuhns shook the tires violently at the hit of the throttle, forcing him to abort the run and ending the weekend a bit prematurely.

“For our first race out with Kirk, I’m truly impressed and proud of his efforts on the track this weekend.  He did a fantastic job of driving and represented our sponsors in great fashion,” Rowe said.  “I would have liked to have been able to meet Kirk in the final round, but such is the story of Pro Mod racing.  We’re off to a great start and we’re all looking forward to Houston.”

Information regarding Danny Rowe Racing can be found at www.dannyrowe.com

Visit Danny Rowe Racing Sponsors:  www.gainsboroughcapital.com , www.weldracing.com, www.hottingergroup.com, www.impactracing.com, www.hoosiertire.com, www.redlineoil.com, www.ngk.com, www.weldracing.com, www.permatex.com, www.promodzone.com 

Photos courtesy of James G. Paul