Drag racing fans packed the pits at The Strip all weekend to see qualifying and eliminations runs for classes like the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. When the smoked cleared at the end of the day on Sunday, Sidnei Frigo, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, had collected his second NHRA Pro Mod Wally by defeating Number One qualifier Mike Castellana with a 5.75 ET to Castellana's 5.86. Frigo previous won the Pro Mod division at the 2017 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
Having started racing 4-cylinder front wheel drive cars in Brazil at the age of 19, Frigo's trophy case is filled with accolades from his many Brazilian Drag Racing Championships before coming to America. Frigo started racing in the states in 2011 competing in AFuel racing with Tom Conway and raced Top Fuel in 2013-2014. The Brazilian ace currently pilots a turbocharged 1969 Jerry Bickel Camaro that he debuted this year for the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod series.
Mike Castellana appeared to the be the driver to beat after qualifying in top position. Frigo managed a seventh-place in qualifying for the weekend's event behind Castellana, Todd Tutterow, Dallas-winner Jeremy Ray, Jose Gonzalez (low ET and top speed at 258.22 mph), eventual 2018 Champion Mike Janis, and Carolina-winner Rick Hord. In Sunday's elimination rounds, Frigo took out Steve "Fast" Jackson, then Jim Whiteley in the quarterfinals and Rick Hord in the semifinals. Castellana eliminated Clint Satterfield, Michael Biehle II and Jose Gonzalez to reach the Finals.
Driving the Artivinco Racing Chevy Camaro, Frigo nailed a holeshot .030 RT to Castellana's .049 and never lifted for a 256.50 mph run over a 249.49 mph in the losing lane. This was Frigo's first Wally of the 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing season and the second of his career.
Photo courtesy of RPM: Real Pro Mod
Featuring the world’s fastest and most exotic doorslammer racecars, the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service offers something for every kind of drag racing fan. 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.
