2003 PRO World Street Finals

It was a stellar year for the PRO Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals series with six adrenaline-pumping street-legal events. Records fell, the car shows were booming, and our Car Craft Magazine-sponsored Cheap Street class was a tremendous success and opened up a completely new playing field by being the only heads-up claimer class ... anywhere.

The '03 program came to a wrap at Memphis Motorsports Park, but it did so with an incredible flourish. The series points chase was tight and came down to the wire for some, requiring competitors to push their equipment to the limit and do everything possible to clinch the championship title. We're willing to bet if the season finale is any indication of things to come, then you'd better start planning your trips for '04, because the street-legal door-slammers aren't going to be slowing down any time soon. For more information and scheduling, log onto www.fasteststreetcar.com.

Steve Miller and his twin-turbo S-10 entered the Denso Pro Street finals with a slight points lead over last year's champ Pat Musi. After securing the championship in a semifinal-round win, the two paired up one last time, only to have Miller walk away with the win as Musi suffered transmission problems.
Steve Miller and his twin-turbo S-10 entered the Denso Pro Street finals with a slight poi
Ross Stomp fell to Dale Pittman in the semifinals, but it didn't matter as Stomp had already taken the Nostalgia Pro Street championship.
Ross Stomp fell to Dale Pittman in the semifinals, but it didn't matter as Stomp had alrea
In Vortech Xtreme Street action, number-one qualifier Nick Rinehart bested last year's champion Tony Orts in the final, earning the win along with the title.
In Vortech Xtreme Street action, number-one qualifier Nick Rinehart bested last year's cha

TCI FAST Pro Stock competitor Chris Uratchko locked in the number-one plate with his '69 Camaro for the season, but it was Charlie Booze Jr. and his late-model Mustang that took the final-round win after Jake Holdrege's massive wheelstand landed him on the wall.
TCI FAST Pro Stock competitor Chris Uratchko locked in the number-one plate with his '69 C
Does this '67 Tempest look familiar? It should. Jeff Puckett's Hamburger Oil Pan's Nostalgia Super Stock warrior graced the pages of Car Craft as a feature car back in June '01. Jeff made it to the final round against Kim Smith but broke out with a 10.99 on an 11.00 index, while Kim hit the mark with a 10.51 on a 10.50 index. Jeff didn't win the battle, but did take home the championship crown.
Does this '67 Tempest look familiar? It should. Jeff Puckett's Hamburger Oil Pan's Nostalg
Despite engine problems throughout the day, Joel Greathouse qualified Second in Super Street with a 7.33. Number-three-qualifier Ray Sanchez was supposed to take on Joel in the final but was sidelined with transmission problems immediately after winning round two. This allowed Joel to simply break the staging beams and take both the win and coveted number one for points for '03.
Despite engine problems throughout the day, Joel Greathouse qualified Second in Super Stre

2003 PRO Season Champions

This is a list of the top two finalists in each PRO class. Congratulations to all the racers on a great season of racing.

Denso Iridium Pro Street

Steve Miller, 2,540
Pat Musi, 2,300

Nitto Super Street

Joel Greathouse, 2,210
Kenny Bennett, 2,190

Flowmaster Nostalgia Pro Street

Ross Stomp, 2,365
Jack Boer, 1,855

Vortech Xtreme Street

Nick Rinehart, 2,600
Tony Orts, 2,195

TCI FAST Pro Stock

Chris Uratchko, 2,065
Jake Holdrege, 1,960

Superchips Open Comp

Walter Doyle, 1,900
Stacy Estel, 1,501

Hamburger Oil Pan's Nostalgia Super Stock

Jeff Puckett, 2,200
Joe Ewing, 1,500

DTS Nostalgia Muscle Car

Steve Jones, 1,800
David Parris, 1,600

If there was an award acknowledging hospitality and pit-side teamwork, Bob Curran Racing certainly would have earned it. Curran and crew qualified Fifth with an 8.67 at 155 mph but scorched two pistons during the second qualifying round. Four-and-a-half hours later, they replaced both pistons, completed two valve jobs, and had the engine buttoned up and ready for Sunday's elimination. Unfortunately, the fairy tale ended in the first round with a red light, costing Curran his title shot.
If there was an award acknowledging hospitality and pit-side teamwork, Bob Curran Racing c
Michael Lough made his first appearance since earning runner-up status in 2002. While he wasn't able to make it to the final round, he was simply happy to be able to display the number two that he had worked so hard for the year before.
Michael Lough made his first appearance since earning runner-up status in 2002. While he w

Tim Hendricks is one of the more fierce competitors in Cheap Street. His reaction times are deadly, his chassis is second to none, and he was consistently in the hunt in every round. Rumor has it that Tim may step up to another class, but if he does decide to remain in Cheap Street, he has a shot at taking the title next season.
Tim Hendricks is one of the more fierce competitors in Cheap Street. His reaction times ar
Running bottom 10s in a heavy '70 A-body is no easy feat--unless you're Jimmy McDonagh. With consistent performance throughout the year, Jimmy's first full season landed him third in points.
Running bottom 10s in a heavy '70 A-body is no easy feat--unless you're Jimmy McDonagh. Wi
Canella made the switch to the HVH Cheap Street nitrous plate and scored big in the final round.
Canella made the switch to the HVH Cheap Street nitrous plate and scored big in the final

Taylor Crowned Two-Peat Champion

PRO's sixth and final leg of the Cheap Street tour featured a large nine-car field. Jeremy Taylor once again qualified in the top spot with a 9.88 at 133 mph and later met number-three qualifier Jay Canella in the finals. Taylor took the holeshot start, but Canella crossed the stripe first with a 10.02 over Taylor's off-the-pace 10.69. Nevertheless, Taylor sealed the Cheap Street books for 2003 and will again defend the number-one title for another season. From all of us at Car Craft magazine, congratulations Jeremy.

Memphis, TN

Qualifying E.T.; MPH 1 Jeremy Taylor, Holt Summit, MO - 9.880; 133.84
2 Tim Hendricks, Sterling, IL - 10.058; 131.41
3 Jay Canella, Antioch, IL - 10.095; 130.10
4 Chris Russell, Bowling Green, KY - 10.158; 130.87
5 Nathan Mann, Little Rock, AR - 10.167; 129.84
6 Joe Paterno, Willowbrook, IL - 10.199; 128.48
7 Jimmy McDonagh, St. James, NY - 10.200; 128.64
8 Michael Lough, Oak Ridge, MO - 11.468; 117.58
9 Andy Legg, Baytown, TX - 21.178; 54.89

Finals E.T.; MPH

1 Jay Canella - 10.029; 132.18
2 Jeremy Taylor Holts - 10.692; 131.65

Final Cheap Street Points

1- Jeremy Taylor, 2,410
2 - Jay Canella, 1,795
3 - Jimmy McDonagh, 1,460
4 - Tim Hendricks, 1,325
5 - Stephen Legg, 730
6 - Chris Russell, 680
7 - Nathan Mann, 590
8 - Jeff Dean, 445
9 - Brandon Kerr, 415
10 - Joe Paterno, 320
11 - Keith Rudasill, 170
12 - Howard Spires, 155
13 - Michael Lough, 150

PRO National Records

Pro Street

E.T.: Pat Musi, 6.603
MPH: Randy Adler, 215.36

Super Street

E.T.: Kenny Bennett, 7.32
MPH: Joel Greathouse, 193.16

Nostalgia Pro Street

E.T.: Dale Pittman, 7.54
MPH: Rick Golobo, 182.70

Xtreme Street

E.T.: Troy Pirez, 8.40
MPH: Nick Rinehart, 165.33

Pro Stock

E.T.: Jake Holdrege, 9.10
MPH: Jake Holdrege, 150.50

Cary Bawcum of Bartlett, Tennessee, took home the Silver Choice Award for Best Body and Paint on Saturday...
Cary Bawcum of Bartlett, Tennessee, took home the Silver Choice Award for Best Body and Pa
...and then took home the Best Interior category on Sunday with his ultra-sano '67 Chevelle.
...and then took home the Best Interior category on Sunday with his ultra-sano '67 Chevell
Bruce Ricks made the trek from Sapula, Oklahoma, with his amazing '55 Chevy and didn't leave home without first gathering awards for Best Chrome, Best Engineered, and Best of Show.
Bruce Ricks made the trek from Sapula, Oklahoma, with his amazing '55 Chevy and didn't lea

Larry Frederick from Petersburg, Indiana, showcased his gem of a '62 Chevy with a 409ci W-motor. All the hard work paid off as he took home the Editors' Choice award, First place for Best Stock, and Runner-Up Engine.
Larry Frederick from Petersburg, Indiana, showcased his gem of a '62 Chevy with a 409ci W-
MSD Ignition True Street is a brutal class that requires all vehicles to be licensed and registered, and each must complete a 30-mile cruise before even setting foot on the dragstrip. After the escorted drive, competitors are given a closed-hood cooldown time of 15 to 30 minutes and must then complete three back-to-back runs for an overall e.t. average. Taking the win was Sticker Dude Designs Greg Zeotmulder and his '80 Jeep, featuring a nitrous injected small-block Chevy with a 9.97 average.
MSD Ignition True Street is a brutal class that requires all vehicles to be licensed and r
John Gaff of Memphis just about stole the show with his '41 Willys, including Best Stance, Best Pro Street, First Place for Best Street Rod, and Second Place for Best Street Machine Tubbed.
John Gaff of Memphis just about stole the show with his '41 Willys, including Best Stance,

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