CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a tremendous performance at the world’s most prestigious drag race in a brand new race car, Rickie Smith likes where the stretch run of NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season is headed.
But heading to a track that has historically given him troubles, the class points leader isn’t about to get too relaxed. The Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway marks the eighth of 10 races during the 2014 NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and is an opportunity for Smith to strengthen his chances for a second straight world championship in his IDG Chevy Camaro.
The Charlotte event, which is presented by Powerocks in 2014, also represents another big challenge against a massive field of talent in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, which is precisely why Smith isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We’ve got a little momentum going here but I’ve been doing it for so long I know how quickly it can turn around,” Smith said. “We just have to keep making good runs and keep going rounds. We lost in the first round at Charlotte a year ago and we can’t do that again this year.”
Von Smith won at zMAX Dragway a year ago as it remained one of the few tracks Rickie Smith has yet to conquer. Despite his struggles at his home NHRA track, Rickie Smith has put together an incredible two-year run in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
He has picked up wins in Atlanta and Indy in 2014, advancing to three final rounds through seven events. However, the King, N.C. native was at his best in Indy, debuting a new vintage ’68 Camaro and qualifying sixth before knocking off Danny Rowe, Jeff Naiser, Troy Coughlin and Pete Farber to claim the memorable victory.
“It was great to perform as well as we did there,” Smith said. “We had a new car and we went down the track eight times in a row. After not racing for a while you have to get yourself back in race mode. For us to pull that off in Indy, it was really good. It was pretty much as good as it could get.”
The quality of the field in Indy also added to the magnitude of Smith’s Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory, as an impressive 34 cars tried to qualify for the 16-car field. It was also an indication of the talent level in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, which also includes Mike Janis, who is currently in second place, Mike Castellana, Kevin Fiscus and Steve Matusek.
“It was absolutely one of our biggest fields and by far the toughest race the class has had when it comes to qualifying,” Smith said. “It was a tough deal just to get in.”
The next step is figuring out how to succeed at zMAX Dragway. It’s been a difficult process for Smith so far, but his illustrious track record indicates it may just be a matter of time before he finds the winning combination in Charlotte.
Should he do that in his nitrous-injected Camaro, Smith would be on the cusp of his second straight world championship in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
“It would be great to win a second straight championship,” Smith said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to win a lot of races and championships and to be on the tail end of my career and to have a chance to pull off back-to-back championships would be pretty awesome. If I could pull it off that would be great.”
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’68 and ’69 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs and ’68 Firebirds as well as a unique mix of late-model cars, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.
NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 12 with qualifying sessions at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., continuing with the final qualifying session on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 12:15 p.m. Round one of eliminations is later on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call zMAX Dragway at (800) 455-FANS or visit www.zmaxdragway.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES FACT SHEET:
PEP BOYS NHRA CAROLINA NATIONALS
WHAT: Seventh annual Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals, the eighth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Other racing series showcased during this event include the NHRA Mello Yello Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Series.
WHERE: zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, N. C. The track is located at 6750 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord, NC 28027
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 630 feet above sea level; Track direction is west to east.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12-14.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept. 12
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 13
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 12:15 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 14
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations continue at 1:45 p.m.
PAST WINNERS: Von Smith, 2013; Leah Pritchett, 2012; Leah Pritchett, 2011; Melanie Troxel, 2010.
TRACK RECORDS: 5.815 sec. by Melanie Troxel, Sept. ’11; 256.55 mph by Troxel, Sept. ’11.
NATIONAL RECORDS: 5.772 sec. by Melanie Troxel, June. ’11, Englishtown; 258.71 mph by Troxel, June ’11, Englishtown.
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 455- FANS (3267). Tickets also available online at www.zmaxdragway.com.
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NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the seventh of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
Pro Modified: 1. Rickie Smith, 528; 2. Mike Janis, 434; 3. (tie) Pete Farber, 410; Steve Matusek, 410; 5. Von Smith, 396; 6. Mike Castellana, 392; 7. Troy Coughlin, 390; 8. Danny Rowe, 385; 9. Kevin Fiscus, 365; 10. Steven Whiteley, 273.
