Words compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Tim Marshall

Brad Personett raced to his second victory of the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series Sunday, Oct. 31, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Meanwhile, Tennessee driver Von Smith clinched the inaugural series championship title in the NHRA’s newest national touring series.

Personett defeated top qualifier Melanie Troxel in the final round. Personett powered his turbocharged ’68 Personett Performance ’68 Camaro to a run of 5.859 seconds at 254.57 mph to hold off the hard-charging Troxel, who trailed with a 5.984 at 244.69 in her In-N-Out Burger ’68 Camaro.

With the victory, Personett, who also defeated Joe Baker, Roger Burgess and Jay Payne in earlier rounds, moved to third in the final point standings.

Smith, who claimed the $50,000 champion’s prize after he took the tree in the first round of eliminations, eventually lost in the quarterfinals in his Barwa/Al-Anabi Racing ’68 Camaro. Smith claimed victories at St. Louis, Englishtown, N.J. and Bristol, Tenn. during the season.

Melanie Troxel reached the finals of what could be her final Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series race.

"This was a good as my Pro Mod car has ever run," said Troxel. "Even if we missed the tuneup a little bit, we got it down the track."

On the way to the final round, Troxel eliminated Chip King, teammate Raymond Commisso and Troy Coughlin. Her ETs were consistently in the 5.90-second range as she picked off each contender.

In the final, Troxel faced Brad Personett. Troxel got a big jump at the line and ran a 5.984 second pass at 244.69, however Personett poured on the power in the back half and crossed the line in 5.859 mph at 254.57 mph.

"Brad has his car figured out," Troxel said. "He absolutely ran better than us. We were beat by the better car today. We didn't do anything stupid, we just got outrun."

Troxel ends the Get Screened America Pro Mod season in fifth place in the points, which is a far cry from her placement in the high teens just a few races ago.

"We came on hard in the last couple of races," Troxel said. "It makes me a little sad at the possibility that I might not be racing this car any more. You never know, that may change."