NHRA’s über popular E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod cars finally get a start….

It’s been a most frustrating season so far for all fans of Pro Modified class racing – but that dedicated base did get a decent dose last weekend.

NHRA’s series formula for that category — presented by E3 Spark Plugs — had their first race of the year during the NHRA’s supplemental Lucas Oil Summernationals event at Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis.

Unfortunately — the eliminator which was percolating along very nicely initially, did miss it’s climax when some untimely rain storms moved in Sunday afternoon. As a result the championship final round confrontation has been deferred and will be completed at the U.S. Nationals over the Labour Day weekend.

That showdown will award a first-time winner in the class with Mississippi’s Jason Scruggs and Texan Chad Green scheduled to square off.

Scruggs who qualified #7 (5.859 secs) has knocked off Bo Butner, Mike Castellana and Clint Satterfield to reach the finals in the supercharged “Scruggs Farm” Camaro.

Jason Scruggs – who is a PDRA 1/8th mile regular — has advanced to his first ever NHRA circuit final round.

Green, who was also entered in a fuel Funny Car this weekend advanced to his third career final round in his nitrous-powered “Bond-Coat” Corvette with wins over Todd Tutterow, Brandon Snider and Kris Thorne. Green qualified #4 at 5.851 secs.

Texan Chad Green is in the Pro Mod final and he  is the the quickest car so far at 5.807 secs.

The first NHRA Pro Mod presentation of 2020 saw 20-cars entered with a bump spot being registered at 5.941 secs.

Kahlid alBalooshi qualified #1 in the class with a blistering 5.814 secs in the “Bahrain 1 Racing” Chevy Camaro — but that star Middle East-based racer lost out in a round one upset to a huge hole shot by #16 qualifier Justin Jones — who was making his first career NHRA event start.

Kahlid alBalooshi qualified #1 with at 5.814 secs in the Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro – before being upset in round #1.

Jeffery Barker – the former NHRA TS World Champion – made his Pro Mod class debut – also driving for Bahrain 1 Racing. Barker qualified very high (#2!) but lost out in round one.

Highly versatile driver Bo Butner had his first NHRA Pro Mod class start. Racing for car owner Rickie Smith — he qualified #10.

Jeff Jones entered his first event NHRA national competition — with two team cars. He drove this C7 to the #6 qualified position.

Steve Matusek’s debut of the first 2021 Mustang PM turned heads for sure. The all new car went 5.930 secs to Q14 – but lost out in round one.

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave DeAngelis