Before the rain-delayed final round in E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod division, doorslammer legend Jason Scruggs qualified his Jerry Bickel-built Camaro, for the Pro Mod finals on Sunday July 19 at the NHRA Summernationals held at Lucas Oil Raceway outside Indianapolis. A soybean farmer from Tupelo MS, Scruggs stayed true to his reputation as one of the fastest and most extreme drivers on any strip of pavement with a thrilling single-car pass in the semi-final round. Even though Clint Satterfield was a scratch in the left lane, Scruggs held nothing back and posted a 5.829 ET at 246.48 mph. For some race fans who are new to Pro Mod, Jason Scruggs may not be a household name, but he is without doubt one of the busiest business owners on the planet. He and his father Mitchell run a 28,000-acre farming operation, own agricultural dealerships, and a trucking company for starters. Then, his hobbies include Pro Extreme (eighth mile) world championships and speed records in his own unrestricted, screw-blown Corvette.
In the second semi-final round of the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod division at Indy, Chad Green made his return to action behind the wheel of the nitrous powered Bond-Coat Corvette. This year the Indianapolis track was nicer to the west Texas-native. In September of 2019 at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, Green’s Bond-Coat Chevrolet Camaro would turn sideways at the fast-end of the track before getting air underneath and taking off in a violent tumble before landing hard with the wheels down. The very likeable driver from Midland was transported from Lucas Oil Raceway to Indiana University Methodist Hospital where he underwent surgery for upper back and neck injuries. At the time, his future of driving in the NHRA and E3 Spark Plugs national events was definitely “in question”. However, Pro Mod drivers have very short memories and Green returned to Indy this year with rides in Pro Mod and NHRA Funny Car. Although late off the line in semi-finals to Kristopher Thorne’s .013 RT, Green claimed low ET of the event eliminating Throne with a 251.95 mph pass.
After a lengthy rain delay before the finals in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Mod, officials announced the fourth race of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and opening round of the 2020 E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Racing Series, will be completed during the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals, Sept. 3-6 at Lucas Oil Raceway. Either Chad Green or Jason Scruggs will become a first-time winner in E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod division, as Richie Smith, Bo Butner, Mike Castellana, Stevie Jackson, Mike Janis and Todd Tutterow were among the favorites eliminated in earlier rounds before the rains came.
Photo courtesy of Chad Green Motorsports
