No elimination rounds were completed this weekend for the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod division at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway outside St. Louis, MO. After NHRA teams survived the sweltering Florida heat at Gainesville Raceway during the 51st annual Amalie NHRA Gatornationals, they were greeted by new twist from Mother Nature in St. Louis with cool, damp, and windy conditions. During Saturday’s qualifying for the 2020 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil, NHRA officials and the Safety Safari worked feverishly to deal with adverse conditions caused by the cooler temperature and a higher dew point that resulted in condensation on the track’s surface. Saturday’s only round of qualifying for Nitro classes was halted for hours, and officials eventually decided the qualifying order for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle would be determined by the current NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series points standings.
Cold track temperatures and wind gusts prevented drivers in the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series and competitors in the Factory Stock Showdown Series from taking to the track on Sunday. With dates on the 2020 racing calendar becoming scarce, it is to be announced as to when Pro Mod teams will complete their elimination rounds for the NHRA Midwest Nationals. The Pro Mod ladder is set for the following matchups in round one of eliminations. Number one qualifier Steve Jackson will match up against Steve Matusek; Kris Thorne will meet Jim Whiteley; Gatornationals winner Rickie Smith will line up against Jeff Jones; Summernationals winner Chad Green will meet Justin Jones; number two qualifier Brandon Snider matches up against Clint Satterfield; Brandon Pesz takes on Doug Winters; number three qualifier Khalid Albalooshi meets Indy II winner Jonathan Gray; and Jeffrey Barker takes on Pro Mod points leader Mike Janis.
Due to inclement weather and negative wind direction, officials postponed the conclusion of the National Hot Rod Association Midwest Nationals in St. Louis. Only the elite Nitro classes were awarded Wallys from Sunday’s final elimination rounds. Racing in the Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod, and Factory Stock, as well as the balance of Lucas Oil Sportsman racing, were postponed at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil. Although the Lucas Oil Sportsman classes were scheduled to resume racing on Monday, NHRA officials have not announced dates, times, or venues for completion of the other classes. Pro Stock Motorcycle is down to the final four of Matt Smith, Steve Johnson, Scotty Pollacheck, and Andrew Hines. Pro Stock is currently midway through the quarterfinals. The Factory Stock final round from the NHRA Gatornationals that was delayed by rain at Gainesville is also yet to run.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and 2020 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series continue Oct. 14-18 with the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, TX.
