Jim Whiteley captured round two of the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing series at Royal Purple Raceway outside Houston TX. The strength of the Pro Mod class for 2018 was witnessed by the 29 class entries at Baytown for the SpringNationals. As always, thousands of racing fans took advantage of the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers and garnered a firsthand look as the Pro Mod teams tweaked the last ounce of speed out the 3,000 horsepower engines. Whiteley's first Pro Mod victory came two years ago at the track when he defeated this year's Gatornationals winner Rickie Smith in the final round.
As a three-time national champion in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster, it was Whiteley's 25th Wally and second victory in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by J&A Service. After qualifying fourteenth out of sixteen in his J&A Service supercharged Chevy on Saturday, it was an inspired battle that started with a win on Sunday over the number three qualifier Mike Castellana. In the final round, Rick Hord had a better ET and top speed with a 252.43 mph run in his Maximum Effort TV Corvette but could not overcome Whiteley's starting line advantage.
Home track favorite Erica Enders made her debut in the E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series with a solid 5.866 at 240.81 mph in her Elite Motorsports turbocharged Camaro. Unfortunately, engine damage prevented the 22-time event winner from making it into the final sixteen. The fast Texan holds licenses for eleven different classes and plans to be back in the car for the Topeka Pro Mod Nationals in mid-May. Although her Pro Mod car uses an automatic transmission, Enders told reporters that there is very little difference off the line when compared to her Pro Stock ride. However, the mid-track boost from the turbocharged engine accounts for a thrilling 40-plus mph difference in speed at the finish.
As manufacturer of high performance spark plugs, E3 has been actively involved in American racing series for more than ten years. As the sponsor for NHRA Pro Mod drag racing series, E3 has expanded the company’s product line to include racing distributors, spark plug wires, coils and 02 sensors under the company’s DiamondFIRE brand. The E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod Series continues April 27-29 at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte NC.
Photo courtesy of RPM: Real Pro Mod
Real Pro Mod (RPM) Association is a group of NHRA Pro Mod Series team owners who have worked diligently with NHRA on many initiatives to grow this fan-centric series featuring 3,000 horsepower turbochargers, superchargers and nitrous engines in whatever door-hanger body style and year that suits the team's taste. Visit Real Pro Mod online to learn more.
