Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis, Adam Cranmer and Steve Gruenwald

Rickie Smith won the rain-postponed NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx on Monday, March 12, driving past a field of NHRA Pro Mods dominated by turbocharged and supercharged cars in his new nitrous oxide-injected, GM-powered Camaro. Smith, multi-time winner in NHRA Pro Stock and Pro Mod competition, held off event top qualifier and fellow nitrous racer Mike Castellana in the finals.

This is at least the second consecutive year that a nitrous car has won the Gatornationals. So much for the turbocharger domination theory.

Ronnie Martin (far lane) turned on the red light in his semifinal match with Mike Castellana.  (Ron Lewis photo)

In the all-nitrous final round, Smith survived a nearly half-tenth holeshot by former World Champ Castellana. Castellana had a stellar .006 RT to Smith’s .055, which was Smith’s best of eliminations. Smith had no chance to win until number-one qualifier Castellana’s Al-Anabi Camaro rattled the tires at mid-track and slowed to a 6.435 at 189.79. In the other lane Smith powered to a 5.913 at 240.29 mph. A lap that was just two-hundredths slower than his qualifying ET of 5.911.