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.
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.