Indy also saw NHRA rookie Pro Mod racer Bill Glidden finally break into the 5-second zone in his Mickey Thompson Tires-sponsored car qualifying with a career best ET and speed of 5.995/239.40. (Richard Muir photo)

Defending NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series World Champ Rickie Smith, who qualified 13th in his brand new Jerry Bickel-built ’69 Camaro, raced to the victory Monday in a classic nitrous versus supercharger Pro Mod final round. 

Eliminations on Monday saw Smith run his new car just fast enough in each round to get the win and not reveal his car’s real capability.

In the final Smith ran a 5.90/245 while his opponent, Pete Farber in his first ever U.S. Nationals final round, had to lift when his supercharged ’69 Daytona shook the tires. 

It was Smith’s second win of the season and sixth of his career. Smith, the runner-up at Indianapolis last season, defeated Danny Rowe, Jeff Naiser and Troy Coughlin on the way to the final.

Pete Farber  (Richard Muir photo)

Farber got his CRC Brakleen Dodge Daytona to the final round with wins over Steven Whiteley, Steve Matusek and Billy Glidden. It was his second final round appearance of the season, following a victory in Bristol.