(Jeff Burk photo)

Mike Castellana wins the battle, Rickie Smith wins the war

Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Jeff Burk and Michelle Simmons

Rickie Smith has seven IHRA championships on his resume and is arguably one of the best doorslammer driver/tuners in the sport’s history. But it has taken him more than a decade just to win his first and possibly only NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series World Championship. He accomplished that feat Sunday, Sept. 29, by going to the final round at the NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis.

(Jeff Burk photo)

Smith won his championship title in typical “Tricky Rickie” fashion. Despite engine problems that resulted in billows of white smoke coming out of the Camaro’s headers on every launch, he managed to win the championship by defeating top qualifier Jim Laurita in the semi-finals. He was ultimately denied the race victory in the final round when his engine finally gave in and Mike Castellana pulled away for the win.

Smith said he would immediately retire from driving in an emotional post race interview in the media center after sewing up the NHRA Pro Mod Championship with one race still remaining on the Pro Mod season schedule. He will not race at the final event for the Pro Mods, at Las Vegas. Smith leads St. Louis race winner Mike Castellana by 142 points and a maximum of 138 points is available to a single racer at each event.