Lyle Barnett Strikes Gold at Las Vegas Pro Mod

The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service was contested over an 11-race schedule in 2021. Having launched on March 11-14 at the 52nd annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, it was the first time in the history of drag racing that the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series started at the same track on the same date. In addition, new stops for the popular doorslammer class included the July 16-18 Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Denver, CO, the August 19-22 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from Brainerd, MN, and the October 15-17 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals from Bristol Dragway.

The E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service features the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer race cars. In fact, this “run-what-you-brung” division has something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast. Pro Mod is highlighted by a broad spectrum of historic muscle cars, like Mustangs, Vettes, and Camaros, as well as a variety of late model American muscle cars. These purpose-built race cars are the fastest class of drag cars with working doors. The limitless combinations of engines and drive trains allow nitrous cars to use high octane racing fuel while supercharged and turbo cars run on methanol. With more than 3,000 horsepower under the hood, Pro Mod cars travel the quarter-mile in less than six seconds at speeds in excess of 250 mph.

Pro Mod Turbo versus Pro Mod Blower

The last Pro Mod winner of the 2021 season was crowned over the weekend at the 1000th NHRA National Event, when Lyle Barnett capped off his rookie season in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service in impressive fashion. It was Barnett’s second victory in three races as part of the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Barnett had won his first career race at Texas Motorplex while JR Gray was the most recent event winner at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol. Having started the season driving a ProCharger car at Charlotte, the Elite Motorsports team brought out the turbo car that Erica Enders drove to a record speed just over a year ago. The popular North Carolina driver is well-known as a reality show racer and relied on holeshot victories to win at Dallas and Las Vegas.  

_{Photo courtesy of NHRA YouTube}

Pro Mod World Champion 

Jose Gonzalez – 2021 E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Champion 

Point standings - Top 10 Pro Mod drivers following the 21st Annual Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race was the final of 11 events in the 2021 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service.