The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association era – 30-plus years – will officially come to an end this weekend when the club hosts its “Last Blast” during Maryland International Raceway’s 18th annual Door Wars presented by ATI Performance Products, May 1-3. Originally scheduled for last fall, the weather-postponed Last Blast will serve as one final celebration of NEOPMA’s history and impact on regional Pro Modified racing.
NEOPMA founder and president John Mazzorana announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season, capping off 32 years of leadership with the group. Though it originally appeared that Mazzorana’s retirement meant the end of the series, four-time NEOPMA champion Andy Jensen stepped in to carry the group into 2025. But participation in the brief schedule didn’t warrant a 2026 season, and the 2025 season finale at MIR’s Superchargers Showdown was set to be the curtain call. Mother Nature had other ideas: the weekend was rained out and the Last Blast was moved to this weekend’s Door Wars.
Jensen and MIR track owner Royce Miller came together to make the race happen, both as entertainment for the fans at MIR and as a tribute to Mazzorana and the volunteer NEOPMA team. Pro Mod teams will compete for $8,000 to win plus several thousand more in round money and bonuses.
It’s a bittersweet time for Mazzorana, who grew up in a poor section of Brooklyn, built a successful career in the banking industry, and led NEOPMA through three decades.
“First of all, I’m excited about seeing my colleagues, my friends, and my brothers and sisters in the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mods,” said Mazzorana, who will turn 85 on July 4th. “It’s been a privilege for me to work with these people because they’re professional, they’re fun-loving, they’re very nice people in general, and they give from the heart. I told my wife, Faith, whenever I have an issue or a problem and I need help, I never call my banking friends. I call my car friends. We’re more down-to-earth and interdependent on each other. I appreciate that and being part of a program that lasted 30 years. It was my privilege and an honor to work with all these people that have come and gone over the years.”
Mazzorana has reflected on the club’s history over the last year or so, finding numerous points of pride. Dozens of drivers have competed in NEOPMA events over the years, from world champions and record holders to weekend warriors looking for a place to compete on a high level close to home. Participants found a competitive environment, but also one that fostered camaraderie and a sense of community.
“We’ve had people join, step away, and come back, and I thought that was a wonderful thing,” Mazzorana said. “We’ve had some pretty big names race with us and we’ve had a lot of fun. For a small club, we were actually as fast as some of the national events and series. Dean Marinis in Harry Pappas’ car broke the nitrous world record (a 5.57 in 2019) at one of our races. We held the blower record for years. We were small but powerful, and that was fun.
“We were a band of brothers and sisters, in that racing was obviously the main thing that brought us together, but at night we would get together and it would not be uncommon for us to party into the wee hours of the night,” Mazzorana continued. “We went out of our way to make sure that the racers were treated well. We always made sure the tracks were safe. We literally walked away from tracks that refused to prep the track properly. I wouldn’t put my people in harm’s way. Safety should be the first and most important concern.”
Mazzorana is always quick to share credit with everyone else that made NEOPMA possible: racers, sponsors, track operators, and of course, the small but dedicated group of officials that, like Mazzorana, donated their time and effort to keep Pro Mod racing alive and well in the Northeast.
“It wasn’t just me; it was a collective effort,” Mazzorana said. “We’ve had people who helped out in the club for years, and they became part of the core team of people that helped me manage the club. I’m appreciative that Royce and Andy and all the people who are putting this race on recognize that.”
Mazzorana notes that while he would’ve liked to see NEOPMA continue on for years to come, he’s excited about the current state of Pro Mod racing and drag racing as a whole. He attended the Drag Illustrated Winter Series races over the winter and plans to visit more events this season. But for now, he’s looking forward to one “last blast” with his NEOPMA family.
“My wishes for everybody for this weekend is that they have a safe race, and going forward, that they have safety, and that they continue to make drag racing a fun experience for them and their families,” Mazzorana said.
NEOPMA teams can test on Friday before qualifying starts with sessions at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. A final third qualifying session is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. The club will provide a free pizza luncheon for all teams at 3:30 p.m. Eliminations will start at 6 p.m. and will continue through the evening until a winner is crowned.
The winner will walk away with a guaranteed $8,000 plus a “big ass trophy” and a trailer check. Round money is also up for grabs: $3,500 to runner-up, $2,000 for semis, $1,250 for quarterfinals, and $1,000 for first-round exits. Additionally, there’s a $1,000 “Last N2O Car Standing” Bonus by Powermist Fuels and Xtreme Racing Engines, a $500 Low Qualifier Bonus from NY BOOM Truck, a $500 “Fastest 1st Round Loser” Bonus from ATI Performance Products, and a $500 Best Appearing Car Bonus from Nick Rabe and The Wax Shop.
Jensen thanked the event’s sponsors for their contributions: Mark Micke at M & M Transmission, ATI Performance Products, Maxima Racing Oil, Brodix Inc., World Products Blocks and Heads, Xtreme Racing Engines, Nick Rabe & The Wax Shop Racing Team, Penske Racing Shocks, Dave Hance and NY BOOM!, PowerMist Fuels, MBE Cylinder Heads & Induction Systems, and Turn 2 RC Radio Systems.
Door Wars will also feature Warriors Outlaw, Southern Outlaw Top Sportsman, and the 1320 Fabrication ET Series classes: Super Pro, Pro ET, Sportsman, and Jr. Dragster.
For more info, visit https://goracemir.com/schedule/calendar/2026/26-05/26-05-01.htm
This story was originally published on April 28, 2026. 
The post NEOPMA’s ‘Last Blast’ Headlines MIR’s Door Wars This Weekend first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
