(Ron Lewis photo)

NHRA Pro Mods at Atlanta

Rickie Smith breaks 250-mph barrier for nitrous cars and beats the other Smith in final

Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Michael Fischbeck and Ron Lewis

Defending NHRA Pro Mod World Champ Rickie Smith drove his nitrous-injected, big block-powered 2013 Camaro to a convincing victory racing Monday, May 19, instead of Sunday due to a weather-related postponement of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

Smith, the No. 1 qualifier, drove his IDG-backed Camaro to record shattering speeds and elapsed times for nitrous oxide-injected Pro Mods in the 5.70’s at over 250 mph, culminating his dominating performance with a 5.828/249.21 thrashing of Von Smith’s Howard Moon-tuned supercharged Pro Mod.

This win was the first of the year for “Tricky Rickie,” who retired and then un-retired after clinching the NHRA Pro Mod title last season. This win was his fifth career NHRA Pro Mod victory.

Von Smith in the “Dr. Moon’s Rage” sponsored by Al-Anabi Racing. (Michael Fischbeck photo)

This race also marked the first time Von Smith made the final round this year in NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing. Von Smith qualified 15th and his highlight of this race was his upset of No. 2 qualifier Jim Laurita in the first round. Von, the 2010 NHRA Pro Mod world champion, was looking for his first win since the second zMax Dragway race last season.

Rickie Smith set an Atlanta Dragway record with his 5.778-second pass at 248.52 mph. In the first round Smith piloted his IDG Camaro against No. 16 qualifier Chip King, with Smith prevailing with a 5.778 pass at 250.04 to reach the second round of the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by the Real Pro Mod Association at this event.