E3 Sparks Plugs Pro Mod class racing was ferocious at fabled Indianapolis….

Defending E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson wins over a very spirited class as his first win of the 2020 season comes at drag racing’s largest annual attraction.

Jackson beat Todd Tutterow in the final round of the 66th annual DENSO Spark Plugs U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

The race, which was presented by ATI ProCharger, was the third of the season in the class, with each taking place at Indy since the NHRA restarted its season in July. Jackson became the most recent winner thanks to a run of 5.756-seconds at 248.98 mph in his blown Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro in the finals, giving Jackson his second U.S. Nationals win and 10th victory in his career.

Steve “Fast” Jackson — NHRA’s defending World Champ – wins “large” at Indy!

After a slow start to the season, Jackson reached his 15th final round on Sunday with wins against Clint Satterfield, former world champ Khalid AlBalooshi and Brandon Snider, posting a .009 reaction time and wire-to-wire advantage against Tutterow in the finals.

“When you have a car that is consistent, you’re a better driver,” Jackson said. “Coming into this race, we were behind the eight-ball, and I told (tuner) Billy (Stocklin), if you get it close, I’m going to get it for you. He gave me a hot rod, and when you get me and Billy working in harmony, we can do some pretty special stuff. Todd Tutterow is one of the best drivers there is and I knew he was coming for my head. We tore it up in the final and had a good day today.”

Tutterow advanced to the final round after wins against Steve Matusek, Kris Thorne and former world champ Mike Janis.

Todd Tutterow was runner-up in his supercharged late model Camaro

Pro Mod class racing at the event included two rather spectacular and separate incidents — both which occured during the first of
eliminations. Steve Matusek (from Kansas) and Kris Thorne (from Florida) both lost control and flipped their machines on the top end with both cars sustaining considerable damage — but thankfully both drivers emerging without any serious injury.

Steve Matusek went for a wild ride during the first round of PM racing – destroying his spectular new turbocharged Mustang.

21-cars were entered for the class at Indy and that group produced a bump spot of 5.899 secs after three qualifying rounds. Jason Scruggs qualified #1 at 5.711 secs (low ET) and Kris Thorne was credited with top speed at 257.87 mph.

Kris Thorne ran his turbocharged Camaro to top speed (257.87 mph) but regrettably then severely damaged the car during at top end round one incident.

Jason Scruggs was the quickest PM at Indy — he qualified on the pole at 5.711 secs

Prior to Sunday’s Denso Spark Plugs US Nationals eliminations — Saturday’s event schedule included the conclusion of the previously postponed event from the Lucas Oil Summernationals.

Texan Chad Green scored his first career E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series victory beating Jason Scruggs in that rescheduled final round.

Green crossed the finish line first, chasing down Scruggs at the top end with a winning run of 5.823-seconds at 250.09 mph in his nitrous-powered Bond Coat Corvette. Scruggs led most of the race, but slowed to a 5.904 at 204.42. Green had suffered a major crash in 2019 at the U.S. Nationals, returning a year later to claim his first career win in the class.

Chad Green earned his first ever NHRA Pro Mod class win when he prevailed in the rescheduled Lucas Oil Summernationals event final on Saturday.

“This moment means so much and it makes me emotional,” said Green, who appeared in his fourth final round. “After what happened last year, to be back here and to be able to do this, it’s just awesome. The first win is always the hardest, so hopefully we can get some more of these.”

It was the first final-round NHRA race appearance for Scruggs — who has been a star driver within PDRA 1/8th mile circuit racing previously.

The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues Sept. 25-27 with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

To view additional Pro Mod class photos visit our Indy event photo gallery at LMLC Media:  HERE

Posted with files by NHRA Communications and Bruce Biegler
All photos by Dave DeAngelis