Stalwart BC-based Pro Mod racer Justin Bond in prime position for potential World Championship glory….
After a near two month absence, the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports is set to return in a major way, with the first race in the category’s new Road to the Championship kicking off this weekend at Brainerd International Raceway.
The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports will race as part of this weekend’s 41st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and there is more on the line than ever as the Pro Mod class incorporates its playoff-style competition for the first time.
The Road to the Championship opens this weekend in Brainerd as the first of four playoff races for the series, making this a pivotal weekend at BIR.
Justin Bond (from Mission BC) who was terrific in the regular season en route to three wins, starts the Pro Mod post season as the points leader with reigning world champion Kris Thorne, who won in Bristol, 20 points back.

Justin Bond – who has won 3X on the NHRA tour this season – will enter the 4-race “Chase to the Championship” from a pole points position.
Jose Gonzalez — the 2021 world champ, is five points behind Thorne, with a five-point gap also separating the final 11 drivers – Jason Lee, Mike Castellana, J.R. Gray, Kevin Rivenbark, Sidnei Frigo, Manny Buginga, Dymtry Samorukov, Mike Thielen, Stan Shelton, Khalid AlBalooshi and Doug Winters.
With only five points separating each standout from spots 2-14, the weekend’s Fuel Tech Pro Mod Series race (powered by Stinar) in Brainerd will be a pivotal one as drivers look to get in championship contention. Gonzalez won the first FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports race at Brainerd a year ago, while 18 other standouts will look to win at the famed Brainerd International Raceway for the first time.
Featuring the world’s fastest doorslammer race cars, the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports offers something unique and exciting for every drag racing fan. The class continues to grow in popularity and is highlighted by historic muscle cars and a variety of late-model American muscle cars, as well as a number of different power adders.
FUELTECH NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES
(Regular season points – final standings)
1. Justin Bond 800 points
2. Kris Thorne 780 points
3. Jose Gonzalez 775 points
4. Jason Lee 770 points
5. Mike Castellana 765 points
6. J.R. Gray 760 points
7. Kevin Rivenbark 755 points
8. Sidnei Frigo 750 points
9. Manny Buginga 745 points
10. Dymtry Samorukov 740 points
11. Mike Thielen 735 points
12. Stan Shelton 730 points
13. Khalid AlBalooshi 725 points
14. Doug Winters 720 points
DragRaceCanada file photos by Dave DeAngelis