Dominican born Jose Gonzalez earned his first career victory in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service at Charlotte's zMAX Dragway. Just one week after capturing the Number One qualifying position at Baytown, Gonzalez posted a 5.743 ET at 254.09 mph in his Q80 Chevrolet Camaro to take the win. The weekend's Pro Mod racing, sponsored by Al-Anabi Performance, which was the third of 12 events scheduled for the 2018 season, was a four-wide thriller.
Gonzalez barely edged Brandon Snider off the tree with a .021 reaction time to Snider's .022 RT. But, a puff of smoke from Snider's car just past half track took him out of the hunt. Gatornationals Pro Mod winner Richie Smith had his hands full as his Bahrain 1 Racing Chevrolet Camaro lost traction early in the run and lost control crossing the finish line. After contact with both walls, Smith walked away under his own power. Gonzalez crossed the line with a 5.743 ahead of Stevie "Fast" Jackson with a 5.763-second ET.
The win made Gonzalez the first Dominican-born NHRA driver to earn a victory at a National Event. After qualifying 15th in his debut at the season opener in Gainesville, Gonzalez and crew chief Steve Petty made huge strides claiming the top spot in Qualifying at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston before being eliminated in the quarterfinals at Baytown. The E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service continues at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties in Topeka, KS on May 18-20.
Photo courtesy of RPM: Real Pro Mod
Real Pro Mod (RPM) Association is a group of NHRA Pro Mod Series team owners who are responsible for the growth of the fan-centric series featuring turbochargers, superchargers and nitrous engines in whatever door-hanger body style you choose to run. With more than 3,000 horsepower, the suspended door pro mod cars travel the quarter-mile in less than six seconds at speeds exceeding 250 mph. Visit Real Pro Mod online to learn more.
