After missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returned to Brainerd International Raceway over the weekend. However, the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals looked different than it did in 2019, when Minnesota native Jason Line won a Pro Stock Wally. This season, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle are part of the National Hot Rod Association’s rotational classes with an alternating schedule designed to expose racing fans around the country to new events. Both of the Pro Stock classes were cut to seventeen events from twenty-four races to relieve some of the time commitments and financial burden on racing teams in those classes. In 2021, the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series as well as the Mountain Motor Pro Stock divisions were introduced to the cheering fans at Brainerd International Raceway.
J.R. Carr Tops Mountain Motor Pro Stock Opener
Although similar in appearance to Pro Stock cars, the Mountain Motor class features big motors with hood scoops and carburetors to manage the fuel intake. Capable of posting elapsed times in the 6.2 second range, Mountain Motor Pro Stock engines measure more than 800-cubic inches and produce nearly 2,000 horsepower with speeds over 225 mph. Pro Stock engines, on the other hand, produce in excess of 1,300 horsepower from a maximum 500-cubic inches using electronic fuel injection and spec VP race fuel.
At the NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis last year, J.R. Carr recorded the quickest run in MMPS class history going 6.179-second elapsed time at 228.23 mph. At the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Carr got a bye in the semifinal round when his teammate was unable to make it to the start. Then, the Washington state potato farmer had an easy victory after John DeFlorian triggered a red light leaving the tree too earlier.
El General's Wire-to-Wire Win in Pro Mod
Points leader Jose Gonzalez drove his Q80 Camaro to his third straight win in E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod division at the NHRA Camping World Drag Series event at Brainerd International Raceway over the weekend. The Dominican businessman started the 2021 season off by beating Justin Bond at the 52nd annual NHRA Gatornationals in March as well as setting the quickest run in Pro Mod history with a 5.621-second ET. Gonzalez strengthened his points lead and Pro Mod world championship hopes by picking up his fourth win this year at Brainerd.
Nicknamed “El General”, Gonzalez nailed a .003 RT to earn his sixth career Wally in the class with a 5.790 ET at 246.03 mph win over Brandon Snider. As the Number One qualifier, Gonzalez defeated Doug Winters and Steve Jackson enroute to his final round showdown with Snider. It was Snider’s second final round of the season with elimination round wins over Chad Green and Justin Bond.
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NEXT UP:
Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals
The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service returns to action Sept. 1-5 as part of the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
