GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 12, 2023) – Justin Bond opened the 2023 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports win on Sunday at Gainesville Raceway, knocking off J.R. Gray in the final round at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
The event, which was powered by Type A Motorsports, was the first of 10 races during the 2023 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports. Bond went 5.732-seconds at 250.74 mph in his Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro to get past Gray and pick up his fourth career win.
Bond also knocked off Dwayne Wolfe, Doug Winters and defending world champ Kris Thorne to reach the final round, posting reaction times of .016 or better during the first three rounds. Bond followed with a fantastic run in the final round to start his 2023 season off on a high note.
“It’s my mom’s birthday and she’s 82 today,” said Bond. “I’ve missed her last five birthdays while Pro Mod racing. My kids flew in on Friday and we always do good when they come. When made a little video this morning for her and this win is for her.”
Gray beat Paul Daigrepont, Mike Thielen and Mike Castellana in eliminations to reach his fourth career final round.
The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports returns to action on April 28-30 as part of the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
***
Final finish order (1-16) at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. The first of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
PRO MODIFIED:
1. Justin Bond; 2. JR Gray; 3. Kris Thorne; 4. Mike Castellana; 5. Mike Thielen; 6. Jerico Balduf; 7. Dmitry Samorukov; 8. Doug Winters; 9. Kevin Rivenbark; 10. Manny Buglinga; 11. Sidnei Frigo; 12. Khalid alBalooshi; 13. Dwayne Wolfe; 14. Paul Daigrepont; 15. Mason Wright; 16. Billy Banaka.
Final round-by-round results from the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the first of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
ROUND ONE — Mike Thielen, Chevy Camaro, 5.806, 243.85 def. Kevin Rivenbark, Camaro, 5.771, 246.71; Doug Winters, Chevy Chevelle, 7.765, 121.52 def. Mason Wright, Camaro, Foul – Centerline; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 9.544, 90.44 def. Billy Banaka, Camaro, Broke; Dmitry Samorukov, Camaro, 5.803, 246.75 def. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 6.585, 146.30; Kris Thorne, Camaro, 5.764, 232.63 def. Manny Buglinga, Camaro, 5.862, 226.28; JR Gray, Camaro, 6.044, 236.30 def. Paul Daigrepont, Camaro, 9.014, 131.47; Justin Bond, Camaro, 5.726, 249.67 def. Dwayne Wolfe, Camaro, 6.909, 139.49; Jerico Balduf, Chevelle, 5.721, 254.71 def. Sidnei Frigo, Chevelle, 5.948, 200.14;
QUARTERFINALS — Gray, 5.818, 246.89 def. Thielen, 5.875, 241.58; Thorne, 5.857, 246.62 def. Samorukov, 9.418, 97.17; Bond, 6.038, 212.59 def. Winters, Foul – Centerline; Castellana, 5.760, 248.16 def. Balduf, 8.112, 113.79;
SEMIFINALS — Gray, 5.769, 249.95 def. Castellana, 9.666, 91.82; Bond, 5.759, 248.89 def. Thorne, 5.981, 192.49;
FINAL — Bond, 5.732, 250.74 def. Gray, 7.070, 144.18.
Point standings (top 10) following the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the first of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
1. Justin Bond, 117; 2. JR Gray, 101; 3. Kris Thorne, 78; 4. Mike Castellana, 75; 5. Jerico Balduf, 54; 6. (tie) Dmitry Samorukov, 52; Mike Thielen, 52; 8. Doug Winters, 53; 9. Khalid alBalooshi, 35; 10. Kevin Rivenbark, 33.
Courtesy NHRA Communications (Photos Courtesy NHRA)
