NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Finish Line Consultants and NHRA officials have announced a new points system will be introduced for the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports during the 2023 season. 

The Road to the Championship will incorporate a playoff-style competition similar to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. This modification is part of a larger initiative to showcase the fan-favorite category more prominently in the NHRA.

The first of 10 overall events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports begins with the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 9-12. The regular season will conclude at the sixth event of the Pro Mod year, the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk on June 22-25. The event in Norwalk will also feature a points-and-a-half format for the standout competitors in the Pro Mod ranks, meaning the winner of the race will earn 150 points.

Following the race in Norwalk, the top 10 drivers in the points standings – along with those who meet the minimum qualifying requirements at all six regular-season races – will compete in the Road to the Championship over the final four NHRA Pro Mod events of the year in Brainerd, Indy, St. Louis, and the finale at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 26-29. Those final four races will determine the 2023 world champion in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, with a points-and-a-half format also in place in Las Vegas.

“Having a Road to the Championship for the first time in the Pro Mod class is going to be really exciting, and we’re all looking forward to it,” Finish Line Consultants’ Eric Dillard said. “We’ve got a great group of racers, and I think having this format is going to promote participation in the class. There’s a lot of Pro Mod fans out there, and this is only going to help grow the class and give drivers the chance to pursue opportunities they previously haven’t.”

Along with the new Road to the Championship program, the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports will be featured prominently on NHRA on FOX broadcasts and has presenting sponsors secured for each of the category’s 10 events. 

Seasoned Pro Mod crew chief Mike Janis Jr., son of Pro Mod champion Mike Janis Sr., has been a part of the larger team bringing these initiatives together, and he is also excited about what the changes mean for drivers and fans. 

“If you want to race for some big prize money, NHRA Pro Mod is the richest, sanctioned door-car purse payout in the world,” Janis said. “We’ve got 10 races, and we’ve got $35,000 secured purse at all 10 events, that’s $350,000. We have a $50,000 championship purse. We have a $20,000 runner-up purse for the championship as well as a whole slew of contingency postings and No. 1 qualifying bonuses. The list really is growing. Companies are calling every single day, knocking the door down to get involved in our product. They see how excited the fans are for Pro Mod, and we’re excited to showcase the quickest door cars on the planet this year.”

Along with the Road to the Championship format, additional qualifying points after each round and for overall qualifying will be available at the regular-season finale in Norwalk and the last race of the season in Las Vegas, adding even more excitement and intense competition in the fan-favorite class.

“It’s very exciting to introduce this Road to the Championship initiative to the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer. “The class will enjoy its biggest platform in 2023, and we’re thrilled to have this new format to introduce new fans to all the talented drivers in this great class.”

FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports schedule
March 9-12: 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville
April 28-30: 13th annual Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte
May 19-21: 23rd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago
June 2-4: 10th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping
June 9-11: 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol
June 22-25: 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk

ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 17-20: 41st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd
Aug. 30-Sept. 4: 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis.
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis
Oct. 26-29: 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas