Stevie “Fast” Jackson wraps up a highly impressive E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod season in style…
Georgia’s Stevie “Fast” Jackson capped off one of the most impressive seasons in E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series (presented by J&A Service) history — at Las Vegas. Jackson wrapping up his championship season with a victory over (a red-lighting) Todd Tutterow in the final round of the final race for 2019.
The series was presented by Elite High Performance in Las Vegas,
Jackson clinched his first career world title in the class at the previous event in Charlotte NC, but added one more dominant performance in his remarkable season.
He qualified No. 1 in his blown Bahrain 1 Racing Chevrolet Camaro, and then finished off the year by going 5.788-seconds at 247.84 mph in the finals to beat Tutterow. It gave Jackson his fourth victory this season and the ninth in his career.
“I never minced words,” Jackson said. “When I came to run NHRA in 2017, I said I was coming to win a championship. (Crew chief) Billy Stockiln is a magician running this car. He’s got this thing on a string. All my boys are killing it. I love racing here.”
“Todd is my mentor. He taught me how to run a blown engine. Todd crushed me on a holeshot in the first race of the year at Gainesville. When I lit the top bulb in the final, Billy said, ‘Do not let this man wear your butt out. Bring your ‘A’ game.’ It worked out good for us and we’ve just got a bad hot rod.”

Newly crowned champion Steve Jackson (right) receives his championship accolades from NHRA’s Brian Lohnes
Jackson beat defending world champ Mike Janis, Scott Oksas and Mike Castellana to reach his eighth final round this year. With the win, Jackson also finished the year with the most points in class history (1,017).
Tutterow, who ended the year a career-best second in points, beat Bob Rahaim, Jim Whiteley and Steve Matusek to reach his fifth career final round.
Pro Mod class racing at Las Vegas attracted 17 entries and the bump spot was a swift 5.896 secs (Mike Janis). Low ET of the event went to AAP team racer Mike Castellana (5.725 secs) and Steve Matusek’s turbocharged Mustang was credited with top speed of the event at 254.52 mph.

Canada’s Eric Latino hauled all the way to LV from the GTA and had a solid effort. He qualified #11 (5.826 secs) and won is first round match.

Mike Janis’ last event as defending NHRA World Champ was off pace by his usual high standards. He qualified only #16 and then lost out in round one.
Final Season Points Standings (12/12 events in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series)
1. Steve Jackson, 1,017; 2. Todd Tutterow, 805; 3. Mike Janis, 683; 4. Mike Castellana, 615; 5. Rickie Smith, 580; 6. Jose Gonzalez, 527; 7. Sidnei Frigo, 517; 8. Khalid alBalooshi, 514; 9. Brandon Snider, 507; 10. Steven Whiteley, 402.
Posted with files by NHRA Communications and Bruce Biegler
Photos by Phil Hutchison