FUELTECH NHRA PRO MOD TITLE CHASE HEATS UP IN ST. LOUIS AT EVENT POWERED BY JERRY BICKEL RACE CARS

ST. LOUIS – With the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon headed to its final two races of the 2022 season, the points battle is heating up in the category, with an epic championship duel set to go down over the next two events.

First up is this weekend’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis as part of the NHRA Midwest Nationals, where Kris Thorne will again try to hold off a pair of marquee challengers. He currently leads multi-time world champ Rickie Smith by just 46 points – or just more than two rounds – heading into the race, while Stevie “Fast” Jackson is also still in contention after his victory last weekend in Charlotte.

Jackson would need a pair of monumental results, but at 125 points back, the two-time world champ still has a fighter’s chance heading into the ninth of 10 events during the 2022 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon.

This weekend’s race in St. Louis is also powered by Jerry Bickel Race Cars, a longtime choice for Pro Mod drivers. That includes Smith, who has one victory this season, J.R. Gray, who is currently seventh in points, and former world champ Khalid AlBalooshi, who is 11th heading into the weekend. A one-stop chassis shop, Jerry Bickel Race Cars continues to be a reliable choice for some of the top drivers in the class.

“We are really excited to sponsor the Pro Mod class in St. Louis as it is our home track. We are definitely committed to NHRA Pro Mod and all Pro Mod classes across the world,” said owner Jerry Bickel. “We work hard to craft a first-class race car using the latest technology and design, for all our racers and are proud to have invested in our capability, facilities, and equipment with one goal in mind – winning! We are known as a “ONE STOP CHASSIS STOP” world leader.”

Smith will try to draw closer to Thorne and continue his late-season charge, one that includes a victory at Brainerd last month. Thorne enjoyed a strong cushion early in the season, winning the first three events. He advanced to the final round at the U.S. Nationals, but Thorne also has a pair of first-round exits in the past three events, opening the door for Smith to take advantage. He’s closed the gap considerably, advancing to five straight final rounds at one point, including the victory in Brainerd. Smith has also raced well at St. Louis over the years and will look for another big weekend as the championship race heats up.

Jackson has a strong track record in St. Louis as well, though it may take winning the final two events – which would give him three straight wins to end the year – to have a chance at a third world title. Jackson, though, seems eager for the challenge, even if the margin for error is small this late in the season.

“If I’m in it, I can win it,” Jackson said after his victory in Charlotte last weekend. “If there’s a mathematical chance, I’m going to keep swinging at it, and hopefully we can get another win and end up in the winner’s circle in St. Louis.”

Other top names slated to compete this weekend in St. Louis include defending world champ Jose Gonzalez, who is currently fourth in points, Indy winner Lyle Barnett, Topeka winner Justin Bond, Doug Winters, and veteran Mike Castellana.

The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon features the world’s fastest doorslammer cars, offering something unique for every drag racing fan. Featuring several different power adders and 250-mph action, the class continues to be a hit with fans.

Qualifying in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon will feature one round at 4:45 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 30, and two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 12:30 and 3:45 p.m. The first round of eliminations is set for 12:10 p.m. CT on Sunday.

Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult.