E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series Returns to Action at 64th annual U.S. Nationals
E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service returned over the holiday weekend to compete on drag racing's grandest stage at the Big Go. An ultra-skilled roster of dozens of top Pro Mod drivers thrilled Indy race fans with some of the fastest doorslammer runs at the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. The Pro Mod class continues to offer something unique for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast. The popular class is highlighted by historic muscle cars like the ’67 Mustang, ’68 Firebird and ’69 Camaro, as well as a variety of late model American muscle cars that produce more than 3,000 horsepower with a quarter-mile ET of less than six seconds at speeds of more than 250 mph.
Mike Castellana powered his supercharged AAP (Al Anabi Performance) team Chevrolet Camaro to the No. 1 qualifying position at the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Castellana posted a 5.783-second pass at 250.92 mph on Saturday to take the top position. His success was able to translate to early wins in elimination rounds before going down to Stevie "Fast" Jackson in the semifinals. Jackson carded a holeshot win with a 5.843 ET at 246.84 mph. Castellana's hot hand ended with the top speed of 250.37 mph and better ET of 5.834 seconds.
For Jackson, it was the first U.S. Nationals win of his career at the famous Indianapolis track. Stevie "Fast" Jackson only needed a 6.167-second pass at 168.51 mph to the trailing run of Jose Gonzalez at 6.682 at 189.26 to claim the Wally. This is the third career win for Jackson and first of 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing season. Jackson defeated Sidnei Frigo, Bob Rahaim, and Mike Castellana to advance to the finals. Gonzalez posted a 5.847 ET at 253.42 mph to eliminate alBalooshi in the semifinals. Jackson sits fifth in points after eight of the twelve scheduled Pro Mod events.
Al-Anabi Performance was named the presenting sponsor for the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag event presented by J&A Service portion of this weekend’s 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Al-Anabi Performance designs and manufactures high-performing components for the worldwide drag racing community, working closely with several top teams in the NHRA Pro Mod class. The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals Sept. 21-23 at Gateway Motorsports Park with the ninth event on the 2018 schedule.
2018 Pro Modified Points after 8 of 12 Events
1. (tied) Mike Janis, 573; (tied) Rickie Smith, 573; 3. Mike Castellana, 463; 4. Khalid alBalooshi, 451; 5. Stevie Fast Jackson, 447; 6. Jose Gonzalez, 435; 7. Chad Green, 422; 8. Todd Tutterow, 352; 9. Jeremy Ray, 350; 10. Danny Rowe, 298.
Photo courtesy of RPM: Real Pro Mod of Stevie Jackson at 2018 NHRA Summit Nationals
