NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Chris Powers and his Sonny’s Racing Engines Chevy Camaro rallied to victory Sunday at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, race two of eight on the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock 2025 NHRA schedule.

In the final round, Powers was set to take on defending world champion Johnny Pluchino. Pluchino would have trouble at the starting line and have to shut his Feather Lite Batteries Ford off. Powers made a 6.723-second pass at 223.47 mph on a solo run for the first JHG Mountain Motor Pro Stock victory of his career. Powers previously picked up a win in Mountain Motor Pro Stock in 2019 when the category was still an exhibition class in the NHRA.

“I'm so happy, especially for Sonny's, you know, since the passing of Leonard Sonny in 2021, they lost a lot of customers, but man, they worked their tail off on this engine, all winter long to catch up after last year,” Powers said. “I'm so proud of them, my whole team, they did a heck of a job. We knew we had the car to beat all weekend, and it's been a while since we got that win at zMAX Dragway in 2019, and I wasn't sure we'd ever get back. Finally, we did it again, I'm just blessed, so happy to be here.”

En route to the finals, Powers, who was also the No. 1 qualifier, had a bye run in the first round because Jerry Tucker and his Chevy machine were unable to make the call after breaking during qualifying. Powers had an impressive 6.234-second pass at 225.22 mph.

In the second round, Powers matched up with former Pro Stock star Vincent Nobile and his 2024 Chevy Camaro. Powers had the starting line advantage and never trailed, crossing the finish line in 6.267 seconds at 224.43 mph to defeat Nobile’s 6.288 at 223.80.

Pluchino, the No. 2 qualifier, reached the finals after taking down Dennis Firkus in the first round (6.282 at 223.47 def. 6.564 at 211.20) and John Montecalvo in the semifinals (6.241 at 225.33 def. 13.406 at 65.96).

JHG Mountain Motor Pro Stock heads to Bristol Dragway next week for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 6-8.