“Triple B” Wins Indy for ProCare RX

Georgia’s Brad Brand completed one of the strangest journeys to the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals victory circle in the 58-year history of the event….

Brand started the rain-delayed event as the crew chief for the R2B2 Racing’s two turbo powered entries in the NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by ProCare Rx. When the rains pushed racing to a second weekend, driver/team owner Roger Burgess couldn’t make it back to resume the race.  

Brad Brand won the U.S. Nationals ProCare RX Pro Mod title when he easily beat Mike Castellana in the final round.

The figurative keys to the ProCare Rx Chevy Corvette were turned over to Brand with one opportunity to make the field.  

“I really thought I’d be able to get down the track,” Brand said. “The air was so good yesterday that we had more power than we’ve had for this car all season. I missed it pretty bad.” 

So bad, in fact, that Brand qualified No. 17 and initially didn’t make race. Luckily, some racers who were at Lucas Oil Raceway for the first weekend, couldn’t make it back for the second. Brand, as first alternate, got into the field as the No. 16 qualified car. 

“We got lucky,” Brand said. “I knew if we turned the power down, we’d still go fast.”  

Brand was fast enough to beat No. 1 qualifier Don Walsh in the first round on Sunday morning then followed it up with wins over Steve Matusek, Rickie Smith and finally Mike Castellana in the final.  

Don Walsh qualified #1 and set low ET with his turbocharged Mustang at 5.854 secs.

“I think it’s safe to say we made some good calls today,” Brand said. “Good calls, great team, no parts breakages. It’s a pretty nice feeling.  

“We’ve been so close this year, I’m so glad it all came together today and Roger saying for me to treat the car like it’s my own.” 

In the finals against Castellana, Brand made his second best pass of the day: a 5.914 second lap at 251.63 mph. Castellana shook the tires at about 100 feet and limped home with a pass of 12.763 seconds at 83.97 mph. 

Detroit’s Harold Martin made a rare NHRA event appearance with his totally unique “sort of” Corvette…

Event Essentials:  ProCare RX Pro Mod @ NHRA Mac Tools U.S.Nationals (Sep. 9^th, 2012) 

Troy Coughlin collected top speed for the Pro Mod contingent again — this time at 256.21 mph.

Posted by Rob Geiger –  Photos by:  Bruce Biegler