NHRA’s E3 Spark Plugs Pro Modified drag racing series vaults out of the season gate….

It was a sizzling and record shattering round #1 for the most dynamic doorlammer cars on earth during the 50th Anniversary edition Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals – when 29 of the fastest cars in the class vied for that prestigious title.

The inaugural season series race (1st/12) was presented by Hoosier Tire and Jerry Bickel Race Cars.

Pro Mod class veteran Todd Tutterow won the first NHRA national event title of his career when he used a holeshot to win the final round. His 5.662 secs lap at 251.86 mph just managed to hold off Steve “Fast” Jackson’s 5.643 pass at 253.95. Jackson’s losing ET was in fact the quickest run ever in the Pro Mod class as well as a new national record.

“I won a lot of races a lot of places, a lot of championships everywhere but this means a lot to me,” Tutterow stated.

Todd Tutterow (near lane) defeated Steve “Fast” Jackson in a record setting – season opening — final round confrontation.

En route to his win, Tutterow defeated Mike Janis (the defending 2018 E3 Spark Plugs Series World Champion), Chad Green and Marc Caruso.

Jackson, who had qualified #1 entering eliminations took out Canada’s Eric Latino, Steven Whiteley and Jeremy Ray to make the championship round.

The Gainesville race also produced the quickest 16-car field in Pro Mod class history with the bump being a 5.753 secs (held down by Canada’s Eric Latino).

Racing the Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro – Steve Jackson qualified #1 and also set a new NHRA national ET record for Pro Mod (5.643 secs).

The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service continues at the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston, Tex. on April 12-14.

Puerto Rico’s Jose Gonzalez roared to the semi final round and set top speed of the meet at 259.31 mph.

Jeremy Ray has a strong “final four” placing driving his supercharged ’63 Corvette

NHRA Pro Mod Points (after round 1)

1. Todd Tutterow, 117; 2. Steve Jackson, 98; 3. Jeremy Ray, 75; 4. Marc Caruso, 72; 5. Michael Biehle, 54; 6. (tie) Chad Green, 52; Steven Whiteley, 52; 8. Brandon Snider, 51; 9. Jose Gonzalez, 36; 10. Rickie Smith, 34.

Mike Castellana had this wild and wooly incident during the first qualifying round — which removed him from further event competition.

Canada’s Eric Latino qualified his amazing new GESI/North Star Batteries/Quality Plus Compressors  Camaro on the bump at 5.753 secs.

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Bruce Biegler – Dave DeAngelis – Randy Anderson