NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series is entering its penultimate event of what has been a highly competitive 2017 season when the popular series returns to action at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Real Pro Mod Association (RPM) has been named the presenting sponsor for the Pro Mod portion of the event. The race is the 11th of 12 on the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series 2017 schedule.

In 10 races, the wildly entertaining series has seen eight different winners. Jonathon Gray picked up the first win of his career at the most recent event held during the NHRA Carolina Nationals. Historic muscle cars, like the ’67 Mustangs, ’68 Firebirds and ’69 Camaros, as well as a variety of late model American muscle cars make up the class that is quickly growing in popularity. 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. Mike Castaellana, who has two wins on the season leads Troy Coughlin in the points as the season enters the final stretch. 

“With the season quickly coming to an end and the points battle becoming even more intense, this second-to-last race carries a heavy weight for this fan favorite category,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “The continued support of the Real Pro Mod Association will help allow teams to continue to excite the crowd at Gateway Motorsports Park.”

The RPM Association was created by Pro Mod team owners and drivers to preserve and promote the future of the category. Pro Mods are frequently touted as the fuel altereds of the 21st century. RPM is committed to securing sponsorship to the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, providing input to NHRA on rule changes to achieve parity between the different power adder combinations, promoting diversity within the class to invite spectator interest and involvement, as well as maintaining the most exciting and competitive door-to-door racing on the planet.

“At Charlotte, we had a turbo car (Shane Molinari) as the #1 qualifier, and the finals featured a nitrous car (Jonathan Gray) vs a blower car (Stevie Jackson), with Jonathan Gray coming out on top,” said John Waldie, RPM Association board member. “Going into the race at Gateway Motorsports Park, the points standings are extremely tight, so fans are really going to be in for a treat! Racers will be going all out, both here and at the final event of our season at Las Vegas, to determine this year’s Pro Mod Champion.”

The 2017 NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series is showcased in a 12-race schedule that includes stops at NHRA national events across the country. All 12 races during the 2017 season will air on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and FOX Sports 2 (FS2).