Mike Decker III Takes Pro Mod Challenge at Empire Dragway

Drag Racing Action Online

Images Bob Reed and Just Sports Photography

For the second time in 2024, the Pro Modifieds of the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association (NEOPMA) and Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) hit the track at Empire Dragway in Leicester, NY.

Ten of the quickest Pro Mods in the Northeast were on hand to thrill the fans and see who had the baddest car on the property

After three qualifying sessions, the screw-blown Decker’s Salvage Camaro of Mike Decker from Pasadena MD was leading the field with a 3.6392 with fellow Maryland racer Derek Ward a tick behind with a 3.6399 in his blown Firebird.

Crowd favorite Melanie Salemi was third in her blown Pontiac at 3.6812 and Decker’s son Mike “Hollywood” Decker grabbed the #4 spot with a 3.6890.

The nitrous assisted ’68 Camaro of Cary Courtier held down the bump with a slowing 4.821.

Salemi and Ward went out early in eliminations leaving the Deckers and Canadian Kenny Lang in the semi finals. Lang got the bye to the finals due to the odd number of cars and in the Decker vs Decker race it was “Hollywood” going to the finals after his dad cut the tree too close and red lighted with a -0.002.

Canadian racer Kenny Lang went to the finals at Empire

Lang, who had been running consistent 3.70s throughout eliminations knew he needed a great light to keep it close against Decker III. Lang got his wish with a 0.016 light to Decker’s 0.0466, but it wasn’t enough as Decker caught and passed the screw blown ’69 Camaro of Lang with a winning 3.659 to Lang’s close 3.7026.

“We had a great weekend at Empire,” Decker III said after his win at Empire. “Jerry and the crew have a top-notch facility, and we always look forward to running there. Thanks to my amazing crew and Todd Tutterow on the keyboard we were able to make the necessary changes throughout the weekend and come out on top.”