With the $150,000-to-win Midwest Drag Racing Series Fall Smackdown less than two weeks away, Mark Micke is riding a massive wave of momentum. Micke doubled up in Pro Mod this past weekend at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, winning both the MWDRS Funny Car Nationals and the make-up final round from the Night of Fire & Thunder in St. Louis earlier this year.
Cool temperatures and dry air provided the perfect recipe for Micke’s twin-turbo Camaro, as he reset the MWDRS record multiple times for both elapsed time and mph, culminating in a blistering 3.556-second pass at 229.94 mph in the semifinals.
“It was a dream weekend for us,” Micke said. “Perfect weather, perfect track conditions, and we had zero issues with the car. Everything just went our way. But it also showed just how good our team is prepared to be able to take advantage of those conditions. We’re hoping to carry that momentum into the Smackdown at Flying H next weekend.”
During qualifying, Micke used a 3.562 at 214 mph to defeat Brandon Snider in the make-up final from St. Louis and position himself in the No. 1 spot for Saturday’s race. Due to breakage from both Keith Goolsby and Corey Smith, Micke didn’t see an opponent until a rematch with Snider in the semifinals. While Snider ran a stout 3.626, Micke’s aforementioned record-setting pass moved him into the finals. Despite slowing slightly with a 3.761, he defeated Aaron Wells, who struggled to a 5.084.
With two wins in one weekend, Micke extended his points lead over Wells, Keith Haney, and Ron Muenks, while looking nearly unstoppable heading into the MWDRS Fall Smackdown on Sept. 19-21 at Flying H Dragstrip in Odessa, Missouri. As if he needed any more help, Micke considers Flying H to be his home track, so he will feel extremely comfortable there.
“Going into the race, I do feel like we have a hometown advantage,” said Micke. “I’ve probably got more passes there than all the other Pro Mod guys combined, and we’re more familiar with the conditions here. But while that might get me through the first couple rounds, these guys are all pros. You give them a day or two of testing and the first couple rounds on that track, the advantage is gone at that point. I’m hoping we have a hell of an advantage, but I’m a realist too.”
With over 50 Pro Mods currently entered to compete at the Fall Smackdown, the competition level will be the highest the Kansas City area has ever seen. Knowing this, Micke is showing up loaded with three engines already lined out, with one specifically for qualifying, another for race day, and a spare. That’s the type of commitment he believes it will take to walk home with the big $150,000 check.
“It’s the first big race we’ve had in the Midwest in forever,” Micke said. “Everything is taken to the next level – intensity, focus…there’s a lot at stake. It’s gonna be very fast, very tight fields with the best of the best. You’ve got Jason Harris, Derek Ward, Melanie Salemi…you can go on and on. Everybody’s going to let their shit hang out. A lot of guys forget that with five rounds, that’s an extra round, and it’s a lot for these cars. You gotta figure the pin’s pulled on the hand grenade at all times.
“We’ve been in high-pressure situations like that,” continued Micke. “I’ve been fortunate enough to win the first $101,000 race from Donald Long. I think some guys will buckle under the pressure, but I’d say your top 20 cars, those guys can handle that shit.”
This story was originally published on September 10, 2024.
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