The concept of four wide racing is not new, as early drag racing venues tested many variations to side-by-side drag racing. However, the modern hero in bringing a new twist to the NHRA Nationals is the work of NHRA promoter Bruton Smith who introduce the format at zMAX Dragway a dozen years ago. The concept expanded west to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, who like the Charlotte track also host a two wide event each year.
On hand was the NHRA’s presenting sponsor D-Wagon and Fuel Tech who replaced E3 Spark Plugs as title sponsor for the 2022 NHRA Pro Mod season. D-Wagon also sponsors Pro Mod driver Doug Winters. The company manufactures a people transporter that can be used behind any golf cart or all-terrain vehicle equipped with a hitch. The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series offers something unique for every racing fan with doorslammers from multiple generations, makes and models compete racing with multiple options for engine power and fuel.
FuelTech customers in the NHRA pits won four world championship titles including Jose Gonzalez, the 2021 NHRA Pro Mod champ. It is of no surprise that 2022 Gatornationals Pro Mod winner Kris Thorne as well as runner up Sidnei Frigo were using FuelTech engine management systems. Gonzalez also made the quickest pass in NHRA Pro Mod history with 5.621-second elapsed time in his ProCharger-powered Q80 Racing Camaro. The Dominican driver claimed his first NHRA world title by winning five races and advancing to six final rounds in 2022. Not to be outdone, Throne claimed his second consecutive victory on Sunday.
Domino-Effect Mistakes Disqualify Two at the Tree
In the first semifinal Pro Mod four-wide grouping, Lyle Barnett nailed a .011-second reaction time, but Stan Shelton wasn’t far behind. Shelton would motor past before mid-track to take the win with Barnett advancing as runner-up. Kris Throne also had a great light in the second grouping with a .021 RT for a 5.799 ET to runner-up Rickie Smith’s quicker 5.766 elapsed time. All four drivers advanced to the FuelTech Pro Mod Final.
Mass confusion happened before the start of the Pro Mod final round. Stan Shelton obviously rolled his Mustang past the starting line and then backed up. According to NHRA rules, a driver cannot cross the starting line twice. The disqualification seemed to have a domino effect as veteran Pro Mod driver Rickie Smith left the line before the tree was fully activated leading to his DQ. As the confusion continued both Thorne and Barnett had miserable starts with Thorne winning at the FuelTech Pro Mod National at the line.
Photo courtesy Kris Thorne Racing Facebook Photos
UP COMING:
Virginia NHRA Nationals
After two years of postponements due the pandemic, Pro Mod race fans will welcome the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series back to Virginia Motorsports Park for the Virginia Nationals on May 13-15 at North Dinwiddie, VA for race 3 of 10.
