There is Pro Mod racing, and then there is the over-the-top, can’t be missed World Championship of Pro Mod racing.

Motor Mile Dragway is about to discover the difference.

In addition to the already jam-packed lineup of explosive action on tap for the May 9th O’Reilly Auto Parts Thunder Jam event at Motor Mile Dragway just off of Route 11 south in Radford, Va., organizers decided to throw in a little something extra that has turned in to one of the most talked about events in drag racing.

Mod Wars: The World Championship of Pro Modified racing.

Steve Vick

For one night only, 11 drivers representing all three major professional drag racing sanctioning bodies including the NHRA, IHRA and ADRL will lock up in a winner-takes-all battle of the best of the best in Pro Mod racing.

“Our fans are used to seeing an assortment of the most exciting thrill acts on the planet, but fans at Motor Mile will have the added bonus of seeing some of the world’s best Pro Modified drivers compete in a one night only, winner takes all battle,” said Thunder Jam Operations Manager James Marchyshyn. “Combine that with our usual night of fire, speed and earth shattering entertainment and the Thunder Jam at Motor Mile Dragway will be one event that can’t be missed,”

Included in the scheduled list of participants at the Motor Mile World Championship of Pro Mods are Rickie Smith, Buzz Varner, Jerry Williams, Randy Weatherford, Dale Brinsfield, Steve Vick, Josh Chester, Ken Regenthal, Kenny Rucker, Todd Tutterow and Thomas Dunford.

One of the favorites at the first-time event is King, N.C. native “Tricky” Rickie Smith in his famous nitrous powered Al-Anabi backed machine. Smith is a seven-time IHRA world champion and is one of the few drivers in the world who has claimed victories in all three professional drag racing series.

Rickie Smith

Smith will enter the event with plenty of momentum after qualifying second and making a deep run in the field in his last race, the 38th annual IHRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway.

A man so passionate that he once got into a fistfight will a fellow competitor at Farmington Dragway last year, Smith will be one to watch when the cars roll into their lanes next weekend.

Along with deciding who is the best among the group, each competitor will also be looking to make a statement for their chosen engine package in the never-ending battle between Nitrous, Supercharged and Turbocharged engines.

“These guys will be representing all of the different types of motor combinations and sanctioning bodies so it really will be a cross-section of the best of the best in Pro Modified competition,” Marchyshyn said.

And the World Championship of Pro Mod racing is only part of the show planned for Saturday night.

X-Treme Machine

Fans in attendance at Motor Mile Dragway will also see the legendary 20,000 horsepower, flame throwing “X-Treme Machine” jet semi truck as it tries to bring down the house with its 20 foot flames and earth-shattering launch.

“There is simply no way to describe the ‘X-Treme Machine’ jet truck. From the heat put out by its impressive fire trail, to the sound it makes on takeoff, the ‘X-Treme Machine’ truly does rattle the senses,” Marchyshyn added.

Jet Quad

Also featured at the O’Reilly Thunder Jam will be season debut of the insane jet-powered quad as it lights up the night sky with an incredible display of fire and speed and the side-by-side battle of the jet trains the “Cannonball Express” and the “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.”

If you purchase your tickets in advance at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores you can take advantage of an amazing deal. Just buy your adult ticket for $20 and get a 12-and-under kid’s ticket for free. And, as always, parking and all-access pit passes are free at the Bud Ice Pit Party.

Cannonball Express

Only at Thunder Jam will you have an opportunity to meet some of the greatest drivers in the world and actually be a part of the show.

Adult discount coupons are also available at Shelor Chrysler/Dodge on the Motor Mile in Christiansburg.

“We emphasize affordable family entertainment and value with Thunder Jam,” Marchyshyn said. “We know our fans work hard for their money and we strive to provide them with a great show at an unbeatable price, plus free parking.”

Don’t be left out when the most talked about racing event in Virginia rolls into town May 9 at Motor Mile Dragway. For more information check out www.motormiledragway.com or www.thunderjam.com