Using an impressive 5.930-second, 246.53mph quarter-mile blast to take the No. 2 qualifying spot, Rowe met Chip King in the opening stanza. After dispatching King, Rowe faced fellow supercharged racer, Von Smith, in the second round, where he utilized a near-perfect reaction time and 6.026-second, 245.90mph effort to best Smith’s 6.065/242.84 combination to move onto a semifinal round matchup with Kenny Lang. Lang was off the starting line first by a narrow margin, and used that early advantage to hold off the hard-charging Agave Underground Pro Mod and take the win with a 6.001-second, 246.26mph pass over Rowe’s quicker but losing 5.980/246.44 performance.

“We always seem to have eventful weekends in Houston and this year was no different,” said Rowe, checking in from his home in Laguna Hills, California, after the race. “In previous years, it’s been all the excitement that comes with going rounds and ultimately winning the race; this year it was dealing with heavy rain and bad weather, thrashing on the car in between rounds and trying to do a good job playing host to our sponsor, Agave Underground Tequila.

“We would have loved to pull off another win at the Spring Nationals, but it just wasn’t in the cards,” continued Rowe. “For me, though, it doesn’t take too much away from the overall success of our weekend. During the first qualifying session, we had an electrical issue that caused the car not to shift and over rev the engine, forcing us to basically overhaul the engine between rounds. The crew flew into action, put new rods in the motor and put a new set of heads on it, but, unfortunately, we just didn’t have enough time to start the car up before the next session. So, we had to get in the lanes, cross our fingers, and hope everything was going to be okay. We fired up the car, made sure we had enough oil pressure, went out there did a burnout and did what we had to do – the car ran great, went right down the race track, went 5.93 at 246mph and qualified number-two. It was a great way to rebound and was really just a showcase of Jimmy Rector’s [crew chief] leadership and our entire crew’s talent and dedication.

“It was a victory in itself – especially when you consider the rain that came on Saturday and washed out the rest of qualifying.”

On top of performing well and overcoming adversity in Houston, Danny Rowe and company enjoyed the presence of Agave Underground Tequila owner, Mike Ivey, and a number of the exclusive tequila company’s top executives.

“We really enjoyed having Mike and the Agave Underground crew at the track with us,” said Rowe. “Jimmy and the crew put on a good show for them and all their guests in the pits between rounds, we ran well and went some rounds on race day, and I think everyone had a great time. The sensory experience that is pro-level drag racing is undeniable and I think we turned everyone at Agave Underground into serious drag racing fans almost overnight. Now, we’re all turning our attention to the next race in Englishtown.”

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx will return to action at the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, on Friday, May 30th.

NHRA Pro Modified Points Standings after three of 10 races:

1.  Kenny Lang, 224

2.  Von Smith, 218

3.  Clint Satterfield, 196

4.  Troy Coughlin, 179

5.  Danny Rowe, 172

6.  Mike Castellana, 171

7.  Rickie Smith, 164

8.  Chip King, 154

9.  Pete Farber, 142

10.  Mike Janis, 121

“We’ve had a lot of good fortune in Houston over the years,” Rowe said. “Jimmy [Rector, crew chief] has a good handle on the race track and we’ve leaned on that to win here twice (2012 and 2010). There’s nothing we’d like more than to do it again this year, especially with our new sponsor, Agave Underground Tequila, here with us for the race this weekend.”

Unveiled in Gainesville, Florida, during the Pro Mod season-opening NHRA Gatornationals, Danny Rowe Racing’s partnership with Agave Underground has been a major storyline early in the 2013 race season.

“We’re really enjoying this opportunity to expose Agave Underground to what the sport of drag racing can do for them,” said Rowe. “They’ve really enjoyed their time at the races and we’re excited to have the whole gang coming out for the Spring Nationals. Of course, there’s a little added pressure when the sponsor is in town, but we’re looking forward to putting on a good show for them.”

Located just a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Houston’s Royal Purple Raceway is a notoriously fast race track, particularly so with the oft-times favorable Spring weather conditions.

“We could see some big runs this weekend,” said Rowe. “But it’s all dependent on the weather. If the air is good, we could really see where everyone stands – the blower, nitrous and turbo cars. There are so many good teams racing here in the NHRA Pro Mod Series right now – the level of competition is tremendous. It should be an interesting and exciting weekend for fans of Pro Mod. We’re ready to get after it, that’s for sure.”

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx will begin qualifying for the 26^th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Springs Nationals presented by Super Start Batters at Royal Purple Raceway on Friday, April 26^th with two sessions at 3:00 PM and 5:15 PM. A final qualifying session will be held Saturday, April 27^th at 1:45 PM with the opening round of eliminations being held at 4:00 PM. Final eliminations will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday.

To learn more about Agave Underground Tequila products, sweepstakes and hosted events, visit www.agaveunderground.com, Facebook.com/AgaveUnderground or Follow @AgaveUground on Twitter.

To keep up with the latest news and results from Danny Rowe Racing, log onto www.dannyroweracing.com

“After Gainesville, we just couldn’t wait to get back to the track,” says Rowe, checking in from the pits at zMAX Dragway outside Charlotte, home to this weekend’s NHRA national event. “We had a fast, consistent race car and this team just got off to a good start, so we’re here this weekend focused on maintaining that momentum and starting our climb toward the top of the points standings.”

Rowe, who leads the NHRA Pro Mod division in round wins (70) and final round appearances (9) since the class became a professional category in 2010, landed fifth in the NHRA Pro Mod points after qualifying No. 2 and finishing in the semifinal round in Gainesville. Just 56 points out of first place, Rowe knows a strong outing this weekend in Charlotte could mean a major shakeup in the points.

“Of course, it’s still very early in the season, but with a 10-race schedule you have to try and make them all count. This weekend we’re hoping that we can build on what we started in Gainesville. Jimmy [Rector, crew chief] will definitely want to try and make a good run on Friday – weather permitting – and go after that number-one qualifying spot. Once we get this Agave Underground hot rod in the show, we’ll take it one round at a time – like we always do.”

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx will begin qualifying for the 4^th annual Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals fueled by Full Throttle at zMAX Dragway on Friday, April 19^th with two sessions at 2:00 PM and 4:15 PM. A final qualifying session will be held Saturday, April 20^th at 2:00 PM with the opening round of eliminations being held at 4:00 PM. Final eliminations will be held at 12:30 PM on Sunday.

To learn more about Agave Underground Tequila products, sweepstakes and hosted events, visit www.agaveunderground.com, Facebook.com/AgaveUnderground or Follow @AgaveUground on Twitter.

To keep up with the latest news and results from Danny Rowe Racing, log onto www.dannyroweracing.com

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ABOUT AGAVE UNDERGROUND

Established in 2009, Agave Underground was started by Mike Ivey, who not only was an avid connoisseur of tequila, but also was intrigued by the story and history behind the making of tequila. Agave Underground has mastered and perfected three unique tastes of their tequilas; Silver, Reposado and Anejo. In addition to establishing distributorship in Minnesota with Wirtz Beverage Group, they are a part of Hensley & Co based in Phoenix, Arizona, and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) based in Colorado. For more information about the tequilas and company, please log onto www.agaveunderground.com or call 949.387.9478. Please drink responsibly.

After qualifying number-two amongst an extremely competitive Pro Mod field with a 5.852-second, 248.98mph quarter-mile blast, Rowe faced off with fellow supercharger racer, Mike Knowles, in the opening stanza. Rowe was off the line first in the Agave Underground Pro Mod Camaro and never trailed, streaking to victory with a 5.890-second, 248.80mph pass to easily best Knowles’ 6.309/216.34 combination.

In Sunday afternoon’s quarterfinal round, Rowe faced off with veteran driver, Von Smith, in the Dr. Moon’s Rage Camaro. Again, Rowe was off the starting line first, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Smith, who made his quickest pass of the weekend, a 5.898 at 245.99, and took the win by a margin of just 0.0018-seconds – approximately 8 inches.

“It was close down there,” said Rowe. “I didn’t know for sure who won, but then Karen [Rector] came over the radio and told me that he got us. With all these great teams racing in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, you’re bound to be in some close races and sometimes you’re going to be on the wrong end of the deal.

“Honestly, though, there’s no being upset about this weekend,” continued Rowe. “To bring out our new sponsor, Agave Underground Tequila, at a race like the Gatornationals, make a bunch of good runs, qualify well and go a couple rounds – it’s a great way to get this season started. This whole team worked hard all weekend to give me a great race car; I can’t say enough about them. I know we’re all looking forward to Charlotte.

“Another thing I cant’ say enough about is the crowd at the Gatornationals – it’s amazing. We had a steady stream of fans come by the Agave Underground pit and everywhere we went in Gainesville we bumped into race fans that had been out to the track. It made for a great place to bring out a new sponsor and really show them the passion of the fans and excitement of the events here on the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series tour.”

The next stop on the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx is the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 19-21, at zMax Dragway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To learn more about Agave Underground Tequila products, sweepstakes and hosted events, visit www.agaveunderground.com, Facebook.com/AgaveUnderground or Follow @AgaveUground on Twitter.

To keep up with the latest news and results from Danny Rowe Racing, log onto www.dannyroweracing.com

Long since known as the East Coast opener and one of the most historic stops on the NHRA trail, the Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville provides the perfect launch pad for Danny Rowe Racing and Agave Underground Tequila first season together.

“We’re ready to go,” said Rowe. “It’s been a very exciting start to the year, and we haven’t even made a pass yet. We just announced our deal with Agave Underground Tequila, which, of course, we’re thrilled about, and we’re ready to get out there and get after it.”

The team, led by world-renowned crew chief, Jimmy Rector, enjoyed a successful test session at Palm Beach International Raceway in February, and hopes to come out swinging with their supercharged Agave Underground Pro Mod Camaro this weekend in Gainesville.

“We’ve worked hard over the winter trying to find a little more horsepower, and I’m hoping the changes NHRA made to the rules over the winter brings a little more parity to the group so that we’re out here racing on a level playing field,” said Rowe. “I feel like they [NHRA] have a handle on it and I’m hoping that we’re able to pick up where we left off last year – competing for a world championship.

“Gainesville is one stop on the tour where you can really sense the size and history of the event,” continued Rowe. “There are lots of doorslammer fans down there, too, which makes it a lot of fun for us in the Pro Mod pits. On top of that, the race track is always good and the air is always good, so it’s go big or go home – you’ve got to swing for the fences.

“I expect we’ll see some big numbers and a lot of great side-by-side racing, so it should be exciting for everyone, not just us. If things go our way, maybe we can put this new Agave Underground Pro Mod in the winner’s circle our first time out.”

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx will begin qualifying for the 44^th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville on Friday, March 15^th with two sessions at 1:45 PM and 4:00 PM. A final qualifying session will be held Saturday, March 16^th at 11:30 AM with the opening round of eliminations being held at 1:45 PM. Final eliminations will be held at 12:30 PM on Sunday.

To learn more about Agave Underground Tequila products, sweepstakes and hosted events, visit www.agaveunderground.com, Facebook.com/AgaveUground or Follow @AgaveUnderground on Twitter.

To keep up with the latest news and results from Danny Rowe Racing, log onto www.dannyroweracing.com

###

ABOUT AGAVE UNDERGROUND

Established in 2009, Agave Underground was started by Mike Ivey, who not only was an avid connoisseur of tequila, but also was intrigued by the story and history behind the making of tequila. Agave Underground has mastered and perfected three unique tastes of their tequilas; Silver, Reposado and Anejo. In addition to establishing distributorship in Minnesota with Wirtz Beverage Group, they are a part of Hensley & Co based in Phoenix, Arizona, and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) based in Colorado. For more information about the tequilas and company, please log onto www.agaveunderground.com or call 949.387.9478. Please drink responsibly.

Rowe and team, led by renowned crew chief, Jimmy Rector, will make their debut with Agave Underground March 14-17 at the 44^th annual Amalie Oils NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville.

“We’re just excited,” said Rowe. “We’re thrilled to be bringing new people into this sport from outside the racing industry. It’s a huge opportunity for us to expose them to the power and excitement of the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, as well as what this sport can do for them. We can’t wait to bring them out to the Gatornationals next week in Florida and get this party started.”

Established in 2009, Agave Underground was founded by Mike Ivey, who not only was an avid connoisseur of tequila but also was intrigued by the story and history behind the making of tequila. Since then, Agave Underground has mastered and perfected three unique tastes of their tequilas; Silver, Reposado and Anejo. In addition to recently establishing distributorship in Minnesota with Wirtz Beverage Group, they are a part of Hensley & Co based in Phoenix, Arizona, and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) based in Colorado.

“Sponsoring a NHRA Pro Modified Race Team is a new adventure for the Agave Underground Tequila team”, stated Ivey. “The chemistry and excitement between Danny, his team and our company is contagious. We are eager to start the season, support Danny, and to continue to grow the Agave Underground Tequila brand throughout the NHRA race season.”

Danny Rowe Racing will also launch a redesigned website today, marking the beginning of Agave Underground’s sponsorship of the team.

For additional information on Agave Underground Tequila visit www.agaveunderground.com.

“We’re committed to the NHRA Pro Mod Series,” says Rowe. “We’re looking forward to finishing up our pre-season testing, getting down to Gainesville Raceway and competing for a world championship.”

The 2013 NHRA Pro Mod Series will again feature 10 races; be contested at the same venues as in 2012; feature 16-car fields; and provide world championship points and an overall purse, including event purses and a year-end bonus fund, totaling $470,000. The Pro Mod season will open with the NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville March 14-17. From there, the series will make the first of two visits to zMAX Dragway in Charlotte April 19-21 as part of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. The 250-mph machines will compete in the traditional two-wide configuration.

After Charlotte, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries in Houston April 26-28, the Toyota NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown May 30-June 2, the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers in Bristol June 14-16, and, to conclude the first part of the season, the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk July 4-7.

The second half of the season begins at the most prestigious NHRA event of the season, the NHRA U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Aug. 28-Sept. 2. Following the traditional Labor Day weekend event, the Pro Mods will head to Charlotte for the NHRA Nationals Sept. 13-15 and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis Sept. 27-29 and conclude the season Oct. 24-27 at the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.

Special appearances will be announced at a later date, prior to the start of the season.

2013 NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE

NHRA Gatornationals - March 14-17 Gainesville

NHRA Four-Wide Nationals (Note: will not race four-wide) – April 19-21 Charlotte

O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals – April 26-28 Houston

Toyota NHRA Summernationals - May 30-June 2 Englishtown

Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals – June 14-16 Bristol

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals – July 4-7 Norwalk

NHRA U.S. Nationals – Aug. 28-Sept. 2 Indianapolis

NHRA Nationals – Sept. 13-15 Charlotte

AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals – Sept. 27-29 St. Louis

NHRA Nationals – Oct. 24-27 Las Vegas

The turbocharged racers, who were required to run a spec turbocharger unit last season but largely dominated the performance charts, will have a reduction in their minimum weight from 2,700 to 2,650 pounds and will also be allowed to run turbos from any manufacturer, as long as they aren’t any larger than 88mm and meet SFI 61.1 specification. Intercoolers will also now be prohibited. To control the boost — and in effect, the performance — of the turbo cars, racer will be required to utilize an NHRA-specified boost controller, with which the maximum boost level settings will be controlled by NHRA officials.

The nitrous combination will now be allowed to use water injection, a form of technology that involves the spray of water into the cylinder or the incoming air-fuel mixture to cool the combustion chambers, creating higher compression ratios and therefore more horsepower.

The supercharged racers will see no adjustment in their regulations for 2013. The supercharged combination was the benefactor of a late summer rules adjustment to bring parity to the class, as their minimum weight was adjusted by 50 pounds, down to 2,600.