Defending World Champ Kris Thorne Picks Up FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Series Victory in Bristol

BRISTOL, TN – June 12, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Defending world champion Kris Thorne drove to the win in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, knocking off Mike Castellana in the final round on Sunday at Bristol Dragway as part of this weekend’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

The event, which was powered by Cardinal Insurance, was the fifth of 10 races during the 2023 season in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.

Thorne picked up his first win this season and the fifth in his career when Castellana went red in the final round. Thorne would have been tough to beat regardless, going 5.816 at 245.32 mph in his Bahrain 1 Racing Camaro in the championship round.

“I’ve just got to keep digging and not stop,” Thorne said. “I’ve hit some roadblocks, but I’m so thankful nobody has given up on me and given me all the opportunities to be here. I really appreciate everyone. Not much makes me emotional, but this stuff is tough, and I really dig it (when we can win).”

Thorne knocked off Eric Dillard, points leader Justin Bond and Dmitry Samorukov to reach the championship round, where Thorne made his quickest run on Sunday. Bond maintained the points lead, but Thorne, who is second in points, pulled to within 88 points of him.

Castellana advanced to the final round for the first time this season and the 24th time in his career thanks to victories against Sidnei Frigo, Marcus Birt and Tony Wilson.

The FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports returns to action June 22-25 with the 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

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BRISTOL, TN — Final finish order (1-16) at the 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.

PRO MODIFIED:

1. Kris Thorne; 2. Mike Castellana; 3. Tony Wilson; 4. Dmitry Samorukov; 5. Justin Bond; 6. Stan Shelton; 7. Marcus Birt; 8. Todd Tutterow; 9. Rickie Smith; 10. JR Gray; 11. Sidnei Frigo; 12. Eric Dillard; 13. Dwayne Wolfe; 14. Billy Banaka; 15. Jerico Balduf; 16. Mike Thielen.

BRISTOL, TN — Sunday’s final results from the 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.

Pro Modified — Kris Thorne, Chevy Camaro, 5.816, 245.32 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Final round-by-round results from the 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE — Stan Shelton, Ford Mustang, 5.862, 242.71 def. Billy Banaka, Chevy Camaro, 5.901, 211.99; Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.987, 242.15 def. Dwayne Wolfe, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.886, 245.40 def. Sidnei Frigo, Camaro, 5.882, 243.02; Kris Thorne, Camaro, 5.847, 243.11 def. Eric Dillard, Camaro, 5.885, 242.67; Marcus Birt, Camaro, 5.851, 243.94 def. JR Gray, Camaro, 5.876, 242.93; Justin Bond, Camaro, 6.376, 186.10 def. Jerico Balduf, Chevy Chevelle, Foul – Red Light; Dmitry Samorukov, Camaro, 5.935, 240.29 def. Rickie Smith, Mustang, 5.785, 250.55; Tony Wilson, Camaro, 5.850, 246.75 def. Mike Thielen, Camaro, Foul – Red Light;

QUARTERFINALS — Samorukov, 5.896, 241.80 def. Tutterow, 10.315, 84.45; Castellana, 5.935, 245.45 def. Birt, 8.648, 106.52; Wilson, 5.818, 247.34 def. Shelton, 5.872, 242.89; Thorne, 5.827, 235.60 def. Bond, 5.852, 242.54;

SEMIFINALS — Thorne, 5.836, 231.24 def. Samorukov, 5.874, 241.97; Castellana, 5.857, 245.90 def. Wilson, 5.848, 232.91;

FINAL — Thorne, 5.816, 245.32 def. Castellana, Foul – Red Light.

BRISTOL, TN — Point standings (top 10) following the 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports.

Pro Modified

1. Justin Bond, 461; 2. Kris Thorne, 373; 3. Jason Lee, 294; 4. JR Gray, 293; 5. Jose Gonzalez, 265; 6. Mike Castellana, 257; 7. Manny Buginga, 240; 8. Kevin Rivenbark, 202; 9. Dmitry Samorukov, 196; 10. Doug Winters, 195.

About Cardinal Insurance

Cardinal Insurance is a family owned and operated insurance agency located in the western region of North Carolina. Cardinal Insurance offers a very experienced staff to handle all of your insurance needs whether it be Auto, Home, Business or Life Insurance. Great customer service with a warm hometown feeling is the goal at Cardinal Insurance. With convenient office locations in Spruce Pine, Newland, and Bakersville, give Cardinal Insurance a call or visit them at www.cardinalinsurance.net. Cardinal Insurance – a strong supporter of NHRA.

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 21 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 Type A Motorsports, Flexjet NHRA 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 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 In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association

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