Drag racing’s biggest annual stage included another ferocious NHRA Pro Mod class display…
Starting eliminations from the No. 15 position, Lyle Barnett pulled out the victory in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon at Lucas Oil Raceway Park (part of the prestigious 68th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals).
For Barnett, driver of the Elite Motorposrts turbocharged Camaro — it was his biggest career win yet.
The event, which was powered by ProCharger, was the seventh of 10 races during the 2022 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon.
Lyle Barnett earned his biggest score yet in Pro Mod class racing – winning large at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA US Nationals. His turbo Camaro also set top speed of the event.
Barnett played the underdog role perfectly, getting the win in the final round when points leader Kris Thorne left the starting line too soon (-.007).
Thorne had been the quickest qualified car at Indy – running a 5.718 secs which held up as low ET of the event for the class.
Kris Thorne – despite losing the final round did extend his NHRA FuelTech points lead margin for the 2022 season chase.
To reach the final round for the second time this season, Barnett knocked off Mike Castellana, J.R. Gray and Eric Dillard, posting a run of 5.785-seconds at 253.71 mph (top speed) in his victory against Castellana. Barnett posted an excellent .011 reaction time against Thorne in the final round en route to the emotional win.
“I’ve got to give kudos to the team that stands behind me on the starting line. They give me a hot rod that can go up and down the racetrack,” Barnett said. “We got lucky a couple of rounds, but you can’t win one of these races without a lucky round. These fans that came out today, we thank you very much and we just won the U.S. Nationals.”
Thorne advanced to his fourth final of the season thanks to wins against Doug Winters, Adriano Kayayan and Stevie “Fast” Jackson. Despite the final round foul start, Thorne extended his lead in the standings and now holds a 69-point lead over Rickie Smith with three races left in the season.
Canadian star PM racer Justin Bod qualified #12 (5.828 secs) but fell short in round #1 vs Rickie Smith.
Jerico Balduf’s supercharged Chevelle was one of 18-cars entered for Pro Mod racing at Indy.
The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon returns to action as part of the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, which takes place Sept. 23-25 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
Posted by NHRA Communications
Photos by David Ostazewski
