NHRA Pro Mods at Bristol

Smith Gets Second Straight Win

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Chris Haverly

Rickie Smith made it back-to-back wins at Bristol Dragway, beating Troy Coughlin on a holeshot on Sunday, June 16, in the finals of the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series at the 13th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers.

After winning at legendary Thunder Valley in 2012, the King, N.C. native held off a hard-charging Coughlin, the 2012 NHRA Pro Mod Series world champ, in the final, running a 5.991 at 240.47 mph in his IDG Chevy Camaro to claim his second straight victory in Bristol.

Coughlin ran a quicker 5.984 at 246.26 mph in his JEGS.com Corvette, but Smith’s better 0.061 reaction time sent him to the win, his first in the 2013 season.