GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In public, Joshua Hernandez, driver of the Dr. Moon's Rage '68 Camaro Pro Mod, maintains himself as confident and relaxed when asked about racing. Dig deeper, however, and the Texan will admit his passion and drive to win. After spending several days testing in Valdosta, Georgia, Hernandez is heading into the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals buoyed by his team's performance, bursting on the inside but trying to remain focused as well.
 
And Hernandez has good reason to be exited: both cars from the AMS/Rage stable ran more than 240 mph, well in excess of the current AMS Pro Mod record of 239.40 mph set by Hernandez' teammate Troy Critchley at the 2006 US Nationals in Indianapolis. Hernandez ran 240.08 and Critchley was clocked at 241.21.
 
"Testing gave us an opportunity to take a really close look at the car, and by the end with both of the cars going over 240, we're definitely feeling confident going into Gainesville," Hernandez said.
 
The confidence also stems from the fact that Hernandez was the first driver to break into the five-second range in Pro Mod, running 5.990 in Rockingham, North Carolina at an IHRA event last fall. The current record for AMS Pro Mods in the NHRA is 6.000 set by Jay Payne in Dallas of 2005, and Hernandez is definitely hoping to be the first in the fives in AMS competition as well.
 
"With the right weather conditions, the performance potential is there for Gainesville, and I'm sure we'll be seeing some incredible racing," he said. "There is such a stout field of competitors lined up this year, it's really anyone's guess who will do it first because so many cars could make it.
 
"Ultimately, though, it's not about speeds or  records, it’s about winning - and I really want to go into Gainesville and start the year with winning momentum," Hernandez explained.
 
Qualifying for the first of ten AMS Pro Mod events begins on Friday, March 15 with runs scheduled at 2 and 4:30 p.m., and concludes Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. Eliminations begin Saturday night at 4:30 p.m. and conclude Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. Visit the series website for all the latest numbers and reports: www.AMSpromods.com. more information, call 1-800-COMP-PLUS