Kris Thorne Wins D-Wagon Pro Mod Shootout at Brainerd

The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon returned to Brainerd International Raceway over the weekend as part of the 40^th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The championship event, which was powered by Stinar, was the sixth of ten races during the 2022 season. This weekend at Brainerd Raceway also marked the first-ever shootout for the Pro Mod category with more than $11,000 up for grabs.

On Saturday, points leader Kris Thorne started the weekend off by winning the D-Wagon NHRA Pro Mod Shootout specialty race at Brainerd International Raceway. Thorne had advanced with wins over Khalid AlBalooshi, Mike Thielen and Justin Bond, while Stevie Jackson reached the final round with wins against Lyle Barnett and Mike Castellana. Driving his all black ProCharger-powered Camaro, Thorne posted a 5.762 ET at 250.88 mph to beat the two-time world champion.

Rickie Smith Wins FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Wally

Doug Winters upset Number One qualifier Kris Thorne, who won the D-Wagon Pro Mod Shootout on Saturday, and J.R. Gray enroute to his first career final at the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod nationals. Multi-time world champion Rickie Smith reached the final round with victories against Khalid AlBalooshi, Mike Castellana and two-time world champ Stevie “Fast” Jackson. Smith had posted a .018 reaction time during his second round win against Castellana.

It was Smith’s fifth straight final round appearance in FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod series. Winters, who was competing in his first ever Pro Mod championship round, grabbed a starting line advantage but had to pedal it twice and couldn’t chase Smith down. Driving his nitrous-powered Sokal Camaro, Smith eliminated Winters with a 5.791 ET at 250.92 mph. It was a major move in the points standings for Smith who pulled to within 25 points of leader Kris Thorne.

_{Photo courtesy of Kris Thorne Facebook}

UP COMING:

Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals

The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon returns to action at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals on September 23 thru September 25 at zMAX Dragway outside Charlotte, NC.