Second-generation Mountain Motor Pro Stock driver Johnny Pluchino is heading West for the season-ending Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway chasing the first-ever Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock world championship. With two wins in the six-race series, Pluchino is the points leader going into Las Vegas. His Kaase-powered Feather-Lite Batteries ’13 Ford Mustang will represent Ohio-based Ross Environmental Services Inc. for the potential championship weekend as part of a new partnership agreement.
“I couldn’t be happier to welcome the Ross Environmental group on board as we try to clinch the first-ever NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock world championship,” said Pluchino, who’s also a two-time PDRA Extreme Pro Stock world champion. “This is our first time going out to Las Vegas to race, and having the additional support from Ross Environmental goes a long way for a small, family-based team like ours. Bill Cromling III and the team at Ross Environmental saw something in us, and we’re hoping this is the beginning of a long-term partnership.”
Based in Elyria, Ohio, Ross Environmental Services Inc. has been a pioneer in hazardous and industrial waste management since 1949. Using state-of-the-art technologies and superior customer service, Ross protects the environment and provides a full spectrum of professional environmental services. Ross Environmental Services, Ross Incineration Services, and Ross Transportation Services provide environmental services and technologies that include incineration, transportation, and other treatment technologies. The Ross team can meet the environmental service needs of manufacturers, recycling firms, waste management providers, and remediation contractors. Though headquartered in northern Ohio, Ross receives materials from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
This partnership with Pluchino Racing is Ross’s first foray into motorsports sponsorship, though the multi-generational business does have a family background in drag racing.
“My dad was a track champion at Summit Motorsports Park in the ‘80s and early ‘90s and I’m just a big fan of drag racing,” said Bill Cromling III, president, Ross Transportation Services, who knows the driver of the Pluchino Racing transporter. “Having this connection with the team, it was a good opportunity to get involved. I know they’re doing well and they’re a small team. It’s just an exciting opportunity for us to help out a team that’s been successful, but also to test the waters of sponsorship.”
The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals marks the end of the six-race JHG NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock season. It’s the first time Pluchino and many of the other competitors in the Mountain Motor Pro Stock division have made the trip to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, one of the prestigious facilities in the Speedway Motorsports Inc. portfolio.
“Las Vegas is definitely one of the places I’ve thought about racing at for a while,” said Pluchino. “We’re quite excited to head to The Strip, spend a little time in the surrounding area, and get down to racing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
Pluchino carries an 81-point lead over past NHRA Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner after scoring two victories and a runner-up finish over the past five races. He also recently won the final race of the PDRA Extreme Pro Stock season, giving Pluchino valuable momentum.
“The main thing is to go out there and become the first-ever NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock champion,” Pluchino said. “That’s been the goal since the beginning of the year. We’re on pace for that, but why change what we’ve done at this point. We’re gonna go in there and race the same way we have all year – try to race smart and put round wins away. If we do that, we will achieve the ultimate goal.”
Along with Ross Environmental Services Inc., Pluchino will race with continued support from partners like Feather-Lite Batteries and Kelling Equipment Repair in Las Vegas.
“Jon Pickett from Feather-Lite and Keith Kelling from Kelling Equipment Repair have been incredible partners this season,” Pluchino said. “They’re not just partners, they’re teammates and friends. They’ve been by our side all season, working with us in the pits at the races. They’ve taken time away from their families and businesses to do that, and I can’t thank them enough for all their support this season.”
Pluchino and the Feather-Lite Batteries ’13 Ford Mustang will attempt to qualify for the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals during qualifying sessions at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. First round of eliminations will follow at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, while eliminations will continue on Sunday. Fans can follow along on www.NHRA.TV or on the Pluchino Racing Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/PluchinoRacing).
To learn more about Ross Environmental Services Inc, visit www.RossEnvironmental.com.
This story was originally published on October 29, 2024.
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