Following the first three events of the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series season, the NHRA Technical Department today announced an adjustment to the category, and in doing so, broke from tradition of effectively stalemating the performance of the eliminator, instead completing the final piece of the puzzle in an across-the-board boost in performance for each of the three power adder combinations. The adjustment, which pertains only to the nitrous-oxide assisted entries, is effective immediately, beginning with today’s opening two sessions of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Southern Nationals near Atlanta, Georgia.

Nitrous oxide entries will see their minimum weight reduced by a further 25 pounds, to 2,425 to assist them in achieving parity with the supercharged and turbocharged combinations, after receiving a 25-pound break during the offseason. For those keeping score at home, 2,425 is the weight at which nitrous entries ran at in early 2014 when Rickie Smith recorded a 5.778-second elapsed time in Atlanta that turned the class on its head, leading to an immediate (and somewhat controversial) 50-pound weight increase for his efforts.

The supercharged entries have led in the performance department thus far in 2017 with Mike Castellana’s record-setting 5.685 in Houston, while Troy Coughlin leads the turbo contingent with his 5.758 in Gainesville. Jonathan Gray, driving Rickie Smith’s Camaro, is the quickest nitrous car at 5.788.

Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster