NHRA Drag Racing’s E3 Spark Plugs Pro Modified class featured impressive performances by international-based teams at Indy…..
In what was in the end a very tell tale display of international drag racing class prowess — the Chevrolet Performance US Nationals event showcased once again some amazing focus from the Middle Eastern region of our planet.
Driving, the Bahrain 1 Racing supercharged Chevy Camaro, it was Georgia’s Stevie ‘Fast’ Jackson that emerged victorious over a star-studded and extremely ferocious 30 car program. For Jackson, who is a crossover skilled racer from within drag racing’ 1/8th mile Fast Street car genre, the win was his first at Indy and the 4th of his short NHRA national event career — so far.
Jackson ran a final round 6.167 secs at 168.51 mph to defeat the Kuwait-based turbocharged Camaro driven by Jose Gonzalez (from the Dominican Republic) who ran a losing 6.682 at 189.26.
Jackson’s victory came over a highly spirited and super fast Pro Mod class field which featured a brutal bump spot of 5.852 secs. He won despite qualifying in the bottom half of that field in the #13 position.
“I want to thank all the people that have stood by us,” said Jackson. “We were coming off a couple of DNQ events but all my sponsors and especially Bahrain 1 have had my back this whole time — so to come out and win the U.S. Nationals for them is really special.”
Steve “Fast” Jackson won his first US Nationals Pro Mod title at Indy last weekend driving for the very formidable Bahrain 1 Racing team.
Jackson first defeated the event’s defending champion Sidnei Frigo (from Brazil) in round one before getting the best of Bob Rahaim and Mike Castellana to advance to the finals.
Defending 2017 Chevrolet Performance US Nationals Pro Mod champion Sidnei Frigo (from Brazil) fell in round one of competition.
The race, which featured 5 rounds of qualifying prior to eliminations, what paced by Mike Castellana, driver of the Al-Anabi Performance Chevy Camaro (based from Dona Qatar). Mike, who is from New York ran a 5.783 secs to earn the pole and he advanced to the semi final round on Monday afternoon.
Top speed of the race went to runner-up Gonzalez, who’s Steve Petty tuned ’18 Camaro ran a 255.58 mph terminal speed despite the very hot and humid atmospheric conditions that were prevalent throughout the event weekend.
Caribbean-based racer Jose Gondzolez wheeled the always extremely fast Kuwait-based Q80 Camaro to top speed of the meet and a runner-up finish.
Khalid Al Balooshi took the other Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro to a final four finish.
Wily veteran Mike Castellana qualified #1 for the event and also went to the semi final round driving the Qatar-based AAP Chevy Camaro.
The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion was presented by Al-Anabi Performance. It was the eighth of 12 events scheduled for 2018. It’s next race happens during the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals Sept. 21-23 at Gateway Motorsports Park St. Louis.
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Bruce Biegler, Dave DeAngelis, Brennan Shortall
Editor’s Note: To view additional Pro Mod class photography from Indy – visit our event photo gallery: HERE
