Defending NHRA Pro Mod Champion Rickie Smith took home his first Wally of the year at the 2015 NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Race presented by the Will Kinzer Foundation for Autism Research and the Autism Society of Eastern Tennessee.
“It was a good time to start making rounds. This should have got us somewhere back in the middle of the points field,” commented Smith. He also admitted to getting very frustrated earlier in the season. “Kind of gave up on it a couple of races ago, but this may put a little fire back in this old man’s eye again.”
Smith was racing a 1969 Nitrous powered Camaro, but switched to a new 2015 Camaro just about one month ago. While he likes both cars, he thinks the new car holds some advantages.
“Both are really good cars. This one probably runs a little bit faster because its body style is newer and more aerodynamic. We’re keeping our 69 to run the 1/8 mile and with automatic in PDRL. This car is great. We struggled a little bit at Englishtown, but it was my fault; I was making the calls on it,” said Smith. “We’re back running – not running maybe where we want to be running – but at least we’re going down the track all the time. That’s what you got to do: you got to go down the track. That’s what I told Chad coming in here. We got to get quick this stuff, of shaking and shutting off. We’re gonna go down the race track if they beat us – they just beat us.”
And even though Smith won the race, you won’t be seeing any Winner’s Circle pictures for a couple weeks. Threatening weather moved into Bristol as racing was finish up for the weekend, forcing Smith to drive straight back to his pit, just missing the massive downpour and lightning.
“I also want to thank the Real Pro Mod Association for giving us a place to race over here,” added Smith. “You know, I give him hell, but I really want to give Danny Rowe a big hands up because I know he works hard to get this deal going and I appreciate it.”
Other awards given out to drivers in the Real Pro Mod (RPM) association in Bristol:
– Bob Rahaim took home the Quick Drive #1 Qualifier Award going 5.79 in Q4. This is the 9th fastest NHRA Pro Mod run and the 4th fastest in a Nitrous powered Pro Mod.
– Danny Rowe took home the Larry Jeffers Race Cars Best Reaction Award when he cut a .010 light during his first round win over Donnie Walsh Jr.
– Round Reward Bonuses are also given to drivers depending on where they finish in eliminations.
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