INAUGURAL WORLD DOORSLAMMER NATIONALS
NO 959? NO PROBLEM.
RICKIE SMITH SETS NEW
NITROUS BEST
DESPITE THE ABILITY to run a 959ci nitrous
engine – a new provision in the 2020 NHRA
Pro Mod rulebook – “Tricky” Rickie Smith
showed up to Orlando with his trusty Pat Musi
Racing Engines-built 903ci bullet between the
framerails in his Strutmasters.com 2020 Camaro.
The three-time NHRA Pro Mod world champion
proved an old dog doesn’t need a new trick,
as he popped off a 5.689 at 254.28 to qualify No.
5 as the only nitrous-assisted driver in the 16-car
show. It was the sport’s quickest and fastest run
for an NHRA-legal nitrous Pro Mod, and the
third-quickest and second-fastest pass of all time,
regardless of ruleset. – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI
MARTY ROBERTSON
EXPERIENCES MAJOR
FIRSTS AT ORLANDO
BY THE TIME Marty Robertson got out of his
car on the top end during testing at Orlando
Speed World Dragway, there was a contingent
of people already waiting on him.
A group of crew chiefs, team members and drivers
from Elite Motorsports were there to congratulate
the Pro Stock newcomer, celebrating a new
career-best run in his Curing Kids Cancer Mustang.
As it turned out, they could have paid him a topend
visit several times if that was the requirement.
Robertson repeatedly topped himself, dipping
all the way to 6.513 at 211.46 in qualifying. For
the Pro Stock rookie who had never been in the
6.50s before the World Doorslammer Nationals,
that proved to be a major accomplishment.
“We were pretty pleased,” Robertson said.
“We’ve been able to get quicker and quicker,
and that’s been exciting. Erica (Enders) and Jeg
(Coughlin Jr.) have been very encouraging, so I
have to give them a lot of kudos for their help.”
It furthers an exciting time for Robertson, who
qualified for his first career race in Pro Stock at
the NHRA event in Phoenix. The former Radial
vs. the World standout has embraced this new
class with open arms, and is diligent about improving
his technique with each pass, already
seeing things pay off.
Robertson lauded the move to the Mustang
that team owner Richard Freeman campaigned
a year ago, and the results have been evident.
Following the career-best run, Robertson
picked up his first eliminations victory in Pro
Stock, knocking off veteran Vincent Nobile in
the opening round with a 6.522 at 210.37 before
falling to Jason Line.
“We changed cars, so it’s more comfortable,”
Robertson said. “This one fits like a glove. Having
that comfort allows you to focus on the things
you should be focusing on. There’s a lot of stuff
going on, and you have to do everything perfectly.
There’s been a couple areas where I’ve been inconsistent,
but all the crew chiefs and everyone
on the team have helped and given me some tips,
and it’s been paying off.
“We’ve got a great team and a great car around
me, so it’s just a matter of me getting up to speed.
I’m very pleased with the rate I’m learning, so
I’ve just got to keep trying to improve.”
– JOSH HACHAT DI
74 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated.com Issue 156