Courtesy NHRA Communications (Photo Courtesy NHRA)
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 11, 2023) – Defending world champion Kris Thorne drove to the win in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, knocking off Mike Castellana in the final round on Sunday at Bristol Dragway as part of this weekend’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
The event, which was powered by Cardinal Insurance, was the fifth of 10 races during the 2023 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
Thorne picked up his first win this season and the fifth in his career when Castellana went red in the final round. Thorne would have been tough to beat regardless, going 5.816 at 245.32 mph in his Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro in the championship round.
“I’ve just got to keep digging and not stop,” Thorne said. “I’ve hit some roadblocks, but I’m so thankful nobody has given up on me and given me all the opportunities to be here. I really appreciate everyone. Not much makes me emotional, but this stuff is tough, and I really dig it (when we can win).”
Thorne knocked off Eric Dillard, points leader Justin Bond and Dmitry Samorukov to reach the championship round, where Thorne made his quickest run on Sunday. Bond maintained the points lead, but Thorne, who is second in points, pulled to within 88 points of him.
Castellana advanced to the final round for the first time this season and the 24th time in his career thanks to victories against Sidnei Frigo, Marcus Birt and Tony Wilson.
The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports returns to action June 22-25 with the 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
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BRISTOL, Tenn. — Final round-by-round results from the 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE — Stan Shelton, Ford Mustang, 5.862, 242.71 def. Billy Banaka, Chevy Camaro, 5.901, 211.99; Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.987, 242.15 def. Dwayne Wolfe, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.886, 245.40 def. Sidnei Frigo, Camaro, 5.882, 243.02; Kris Thorne, Camaro, 5.847, 243.11 def. Eric Dillard, Camaro, 5.885, 242.67; Marcus Birt, Camaro, 5.851, 243.94 def. JR Gray, Camaro, 5.876, 242.93; Justin Bond, Camaro, 6.376, 186.10 def. Jerico Balduf, Chevy Chevelle, Foul – Red Light; Dmitry Samorukov, Camaro, 5.935, 240.29 def. Rickie Smith, Mustang, 5.785, 250.55;
Tony Wilson, Camaro, 5.850, 246.75 def. Mike Thielen, Camaro, Foul – Red Light;
QUARTERFINALS — Samorukov, 5.896, 241.80 def. Tutterow, 10.315, 84.45; Castellana, 5.935, 245.45 def. Birt, 8.648, 106.52; Wilson, 5.818, 247.34 def. Shelton, 5.872, 242.89; Thorne, 5.827, 235.60 def. Bond, 5.852, 242.54;
SEMIFINALS — Thorne, 5.836, 231.24 def. Samorukov, 5.874, 241.97; Castellana, 5.857, 245.90 def. Wilson, 5.848, 232.91;
FINAL — Thorne, 5.816, 245.32 def. Castellana, Foul – Red Light.
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Point standings (top 10) following the 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.
Pro Modified
1. Justin Bond, 461; 2. Kris Thorne, 373; 3. Jason Lee, 294; 4. JR Gray, 293; 5. Jose Gonzalez, 265; 6. Mike Castellana, 257; 7. Manny Buginga, 240; 8. Kevin Rivenbark, 202; 9. Dmitry Samorukov, 196; 10. Doug Winters, 195.
