Dominican businessman Jose Gonzalez clinched his first career E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service world championship at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday. When Gonzalez advanced to the Final Round of eliminations at Bristol Dragway, the 2021 Pro Mod title was his without a win at the tenth of eleven E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod scheduled events. It has been a dominant season Gonzalez who suffered an early-season crash at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte but rebounded at one point by winning three straight Pro Mod events.
Gonzalez reached the Finals with round wins against Lyle Barnett, Khalid AlBalooshi and defending Pro Mod world champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson. With five Wallys during the season and Sunday’s second place, the driver of the ProCharger-powered Q80 Camaro wrapped up the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod World Championship a race before the final event of the 2021 season.
Rookie JR Gray Tops NHRA Pro Mod at Thunder Valley
In the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, Rickie Smith drove to the Number One qualifying position in his nitrous-powered Camaro, going 5.708 at 250.64 under the lights on Saturday night. Points leader Jose Gonzalez is second after his run of 5.733 at 250.32. On Sunday at Thunder Valley, rookie JR Gray advanced to his first career final round with victories over Smith and Top Fuel winner Mike Salinas.
Gray carded a career-best pass with a 5.699 ET at 251.53 mph in his first-round victory against Smith. Although Gonzalez, the newly crowned Pro Mod champion, left the starting line too soon the red light foul didn’t affect Gray, as he capped off the breakout weekend with another strong 5.699 ET at 250.64 mph at the 20th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Photo courtesy of Facebook video
NEXT UP:
Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals
The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service closes out its 2021 season Oct. 29-31 with the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
