Dirt
I mean, come on. Read that list again. If you
had a 19-car Pro Mod field that included those
names, you don’t have one disappointed fan.
That’s going to be a heck of a show and, yet, af-
ter four rounds of qualifying – and, yes, that’s
another awesome sign of progress for the class
in NHRA – they were done.
Smith, speaking on Wes Buck’s live Facebook
show, also suggests the number of participants,
and talented drivers at that, could grow even
higher if it were possible. “The car count doesn’t
surprise me,” Smith said. “We could have 60 cars
there if they let us.”
That means who did qualify in Gainesville put
on a marvelous show. Maybe one day we’ll look
at this golden age of NHRA Pro Mod racing and
point to this event as a key launching point.
But you had Mike Castellana and crew chief
Frank Manzo qualifying No. 1 with a 5.750 at
253.56. He was followed closely by “Stevie Fast”
Jackson, whose dynamic personality fits perfectly
and brings even more life to the class.
Jackson, who won two races
in his first year in NHRA Pro
Mod, went 5.754 at 250.60 mph
before being ousted by 2018
newcomer Chad Green, who
was outstanding in his debut
before hitting the wall in the
semifinals.
But Green, under the tutelage
of Pat Musi, went 5.79 on his
first-ever NHRA Pro Mod run,
instantly making him a player.
Just the fact he already bought a
new car and had it ready weeks
later for the race in Houston
should tell you all you need to
know about how this class is
viewed. It’s red hot and every-
one wants to be part of it.
Steven and Jim Whiteley
were again impressive and con-
tinue to be key cogs in the class,
while other heavy-hitters that
did qualify featured the likes of
Todd Tutterow, who ran 5.70s right off the bat
running an Al Billes blower to show he’ll be a
threat all year; Khalid alBalooshi, a former NHRA
Pro Mod world champ; Bob Rahaim; Jeremy
Ray, who made his NHRA Pro Mod debut after
winning the warm-up race earlier this year in
Orlando; and Shane Molinari, who made a big
splash last year and qualified No. 3 with a 5.771
with crew chief Brad Personett. It also included
Jose Gonzalez, who won a PDRA Pro Boost title
in 2017, and his contingent of noted crew chiefs
Steve Petty and Eric Dillard, furthering a theme
of marquee and superstar crew chiefs working
with incredible drivers.
What we have is a who’s-who list driving the
car and an absolute star-studded cast of names
making the calls. If you don’t think that’s taking
the class to new levels, you’re nuts. But it all led
to the final round between Smith, who beat Cas-
tellana in the semifinals, and Janis, with Smith’s
5.794 taking the win.
Janis, after a great deal of success over the win-
ter racing in Qatar, will be a force to be reckoned
with in 2018, but Smith continues to stay at the
top of the mountain in the loaded class, still ea-
ger to trade haymakers with the Pro Mod elite.
His reaction times of .035, .044, .037 and .025
during eliminations were awe-inspiring, giving
Smith hope he can compete for a fourth world
title in the class. But he’s also well-aware of what
can happen when you bring that much talent en
masse to a race.
“We had 16 cars that could have won that race,”
Smith said. “This deal, if you qualify, you’re going
to have a chance to win. I think this year you could
see any of the top guys not qualify (at a race). It’s
going to be interesting.”
Could it get better? There’s no reason to think
why it won’t, especially as full-time racers in pro
classes start dipping their toes in the NHRA Pro
Mod water. Two-time Pro Stock world champion
Erica Enders made her NHRA Pro Mod debut
in Houston, defending Pro Stock world champ
Bo Butner teased also driving Pro Mod in 2019,
while Smith hinted at bringing out someone “who
will be good for the class” at a handful of races
this season.
By most accounts, the class has reached the
perfect number of races with 12, while adding a
fourth qualifying session and racing on Sunday
with the rest of the pro classes added to the big-
time feel.
Will the racing all year match what took place
in Gainesville? That will be difficult, but it should,
and Smith predicted it will take running 5.75-5.78
to win races. That means wild racing, edge of your
seat driving and, oh yeah, several reminders of
what makes NHRA Pro Mod cars so appealing.
“They’re badass cars. They’re mean cars,” Smith
said. “They are wild and unpredictable.”
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NHRA PRO MOD