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CONCORD, NC – September 23, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – In what he says is his final season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon, multi-time world champ Rickie Smith said he already received his one wish for the year, which was picking up a victory to go out in style.
But the Pro Mod legend would certainly enjoy another victory in his swan song, especially if it comes close to home at zMAX Dragway as part of this weekend’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. He’s also in the hunt for another championship, trailing Kris Thorne by just 69 points heading into the final three weeks of the season.
Smith insists he’s not worried about the title chase, but he is looking forward to putting on a show in front of family and friends this weekend in his nitrous-powered Sokal Chevrolet Camaro.
“Anytime you can race close to home, it’s great,” said Smith, who has advanced to five final rounds this season. “I’ve doing this for a living for the past 40 years and I feel like it’s a heck of an accomplishment. I’ve done what I’ve needed to do, and won a lot of races and championships, and that’s what makes me happy. There’s so many people who have supported me over the years from around here and I’m really thankful for that. It’s a big deal coming to this track and this race, and I just want to do the best I can.”
The race, which is the eighth of 10 events during the 2022 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon, is powered by Pee Dee Fleet in Charlotte. The company, which was founded 15 years ago, delivers a one-stop truck and trailer center with 24/7 roadside services and complete trailer repairs. In addition to top-quality mechanics, Pee Dee Fleet has a hydraulics shop, paint booth and body shop. The company also sponsors Tylor Miller, who won earlier this season in Virginia, and Smith, who has enjoyed his relationship with the Miller family.
“Charlotte is our home track for NHRA, so it was a logical decision to utilize the sponsorship afforded to NHRA Pro Mod to campaign for Diesel Technicians to join our
family-based workforce at Pee Dee Fleet, and to support the class that we are passionate about,” said Russell Miller, owner and CEO of Pee Dee Fleet. “We’re looking
forward to experiencing NHRA Pro Mod as the ‘powered by sponsor.’”
Added Smith: “It’s a great family and great people. They’ve been awesome to work with and I enjoy the family atmosphere that they have around me.”
On the track, Smith remains a major threat in the talent-filled class, but he’ll face off with plenty of challengers in Charlotte, including Thorne, who has three wins this season, Indy winner Lyle Barnett, two-time world champ Stevie “Fast” Jackson, Topeka winner Justin Bond and Doug Winters.
Smith, though, is content with what he’s already accomplished this year, feeling no pressure as he races at his home track during the final stretch of the season – and possibly his incredible NHRA Pro Mod career.
“We’ve got a good car, there’s no doubt about that,” Smith said. “I was tickled to death to get that win. This is my last year and I just wanted to get a win before I left. That was my whole goal.”
The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon features the world’s fastest doorslammer cars, offering something unique for every drag racing fan. Featuring several different power adders and 250-mph action, the class continues to be a hit with fans.
Qualifying in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon will feature one round at 5:45 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 23, and two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 12:45 and 4:30 p.m. The first round of eliminations is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, please visit www.zmaxdragway.com or call 800-455-FANS (3267). For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
About Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is America’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy, and our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly trained and knowledgeable team of associates serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enable us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 42 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destinations for everything RV. For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com
About NHRA
Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon, Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown and Top Fuel Harley Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. With over 120 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Source: National Hot Rod Association
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