NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Chad Green scored his first career E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series victory on Saturday, beating Jason Scruggs in the final round of the postponed Lucas Oil Summernationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. The final was moved to the DENSO Spark Plugs U.S. Nationals, as both drivers were after their first win in the class. 

It was Green who crossed the finish line first, chasing down Scruggs at the top end with a winning run of 5.823-seconds at 250.09 mph in his nitrous-powered Bond Coat Corvette. Scruggs led most of the race, but slowed to a 5.904 at 204.42. Green suffered a major crash in 2019 at the U.S. Nationals, returning a year later to claim his first career win in the class. 

“This moment means so much and it makes me emotional,” said Green, who appeared in his fourth final round. “After what happened last year, to be back here and to be able to do this, it’s just awesome. The first win is always the hardest, so hopefully we can get some more of these.”

It was the first final-round appearance for Scruggs. He will have a chance to win the U.S. Nationals on Sunday and he will start from the No. 1 position as well, as he claimed his first career top qualifier in the class thanks to his run of 5.717 at 253.04 from Friday. He will face points leader Kris Thorne in the first round of this weekend’s Pro Mod race, which is presented by ATI ProCharger.

Khalid AlBalooshi qualified second with a 5.722 at 252.43, and Brandon Snider finished in the third spot after his 5.746 at 249.03.