GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 9, 2023) – With plenty of momentum from a number of major announcements in the off-season, the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports is set to open the 2023 season as part of this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway.
It is the first of 10 races during the 2023 season and this weekend’s event is powered by Type A Motorsports as well. The company is owned by Marty Robertson, with the veteran racer set to make his NHRA Pro Mod debut in Gainesville.
“Type A Motorsports is a race team that also specializes in buying and selling race cars, racing components and support vehicles, boasting a strong inventory for its customers,” Robertson said. “We’re proud to join the NHRA for opportunities to build recognition for our brand. It is the right place at the right time to launch our business and support for racers as we go what should be an incredible 2023 year in the class.”
The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports will be featured during the NHRA on FOX broadcast on Sunday, which begins at 12 p.m. on the FOX broadcast network. That is one of several exciting announcements the class made during the off-season, as all 10 races will be featured on the main broadcast of Sunday eliminations.
The class also announced its new Road to the Championship, which will consist of the final four races in a playoff format for the first time in NHRA Pro Mod history. That includes events at Brainerd International Raceway, the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy, World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis and the finale at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Additionally, the category has introduced a new substitute driver policy for full-time racers to continue to drive participation in the fan-favorite class.
The breakdown is as follows for the substitute driver policy:
- A contestant will have the opportunity to nominate a substitute driver.
- Original entered contestant will need to submit a substitute driver form to NHRA.
- The form must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM (local time) on Thursday the week of the event.
- The substitute driver must compete in the vehicle originally entered as described on the tech card.
- Substitute driver must have a valid NHRA Pro Mod Competition License.
- Maximum of two (2) substitute drivers can be utilized for the first 8 events.
- Only one (1) substitute driver can be utilized for Brainerd or Indianapolis.
- No substitute drivers will be permitted for St. Louis of Las Vegas (fall).
- Points earned by the substitute driver while be awarded to the contestant originally entered in the event.
- The substitute driver can compete for any other team.
On the track, the action should be as exciting as ever, as Kris Thorne looks to defend his Gatornationals victory. That propelled his dream season, one that ended with his first career NHRA Pro Mod world championship on the strength of four victories and five final rounds. Other standouts to watch include Justin Bond, Sidnei Frigo, former world champions Jose Gonzalez and Khalid Albalooshi, Mike Castellana, J.R. Gray and Doug Winters.
Featuring the world’s fastest doorslammer race cars, the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports offers something unique and exciting for every drag racing fan. The class continues to grow in popularity and is highlighted by historic muscle cars and a variety of late-model American muscle cars, as well as a number of different power adders.
Two rounds of qualifying in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports take place on Friday at 1 and 6 p.m. ET at the legendary facility in Gainesville, while the final qualifying round is at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. The first round of eliminations is slated for 5 p.m., with the FTI Pro Mod Showdown also being added during those sessions. The FTI Pro Mod Showdown will consist of the driver putting together the best reaction time and E.T. average during the three qualifying rounds, as well as the first round of eliminations on Friday and Saturday. The winner will receive $7,500 from FTI Performance.
Eliminations will continue at 11:40 a.m. ET on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the 2023 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
Courtesy NHRA Communications
