The dominance of Middle-Eastern based Pro Mod teams was once again evident within NHRA racing…
The championship final round at the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil – featured for the second event in a row two prominent teams based from that area of our planet when Steve Jackson faced Todd Tutterow.
Jackson, a super skilled driver (from Georgia) managed some redemption over Todd Tutterow (who is from NC) when he drove the Baharin 1 Racing Chevy Camaro to victory. That dash was in fact a rematch — Jackson and Tutterow had met in the final at the Pro Mod season opener in Gainesville in March where Tutterow prevailed with a holeshot.
But at Houston, it was Jackson who crossed the finish line first with a 5.675 secs at 255.00 mph (low ET of the event) compared to Tutterow’s Al Anabi Performance Camaro (from Doha Qatar) which had severe tire spin issues and slowed to a 13.47 secs.
“I came into this race with a chip on my shoulder after that runner up in Gainesville,” Jackson said. “Todd and I talked about meeting in the finals again this race and I’m really glad it worked out in my favor this time.”
Jackson had qualified #3 entering Sunday at 5.753 secs and he got the best of Kahalid alBalooshi, Sidnei Frigo and defending World Champion Mike Janis in previous rounds.
The 2nd season race of 12 for the 2019 E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service was another swift and demanding affair with 26 cars entered who collectively set the 16 car bump spot at 5.790 secs (Rickie Smith).
Houston native Erica Enders set top speed of the event for the class when she took the Elite Motorsports turbocharged ’18 Camaro to a stunning 260.11 mph terminal speed — to reset the NHRA national record.
NHRA’s E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season class returns to action next in at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C. April 26-28.
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Bruce Biegler & Randy Anderson