Winter Series championship contender Eric Gustafson added 32 points to his tally when he locked down the No. 1 qualifier position at the Winter Series finale, the World Series of Pro Mod. In the first of three Friday qualifying sessions at Bradenton, Gustafson threw down a 3.553-second pass at 211.16 mph to unseat Thursday’ s provisional low qualifier, Derek Menholt, and lead the second-quickest 32-car field in eighth-mile Pro Mod history.

Gustafson went into the WSOPM ranked third in Winter Series points standings after consistent late-round finishes at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals and the U. S. Street Nationals in his ProCharged Coast Packing Company“ Lard Machine”’ 69 Camaro. He also picked up the $ 5,000 Pro Line Racing“ Off The Trailer” Bonus at the Snowbirds when he was the No. 1 qualifier after the first qualifying session.

Gustafson’ s combination was dealt a weight penalty after the U. S. Street Nationals, but tuner and teammate Jason Lee and the Coast Packing team went to work and picked up where they left off by qualifying No. 1. Gustafson earned a $ 10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus from Jerry Bickel Race Cars, and when he went up to get his photo taken with the trailer check at the firstround chip draw, he was joined by his team, who brought weight pucks for the photo opp.

“ You never know when you’ ll be No. 1 in anything ever again,” said Gustafson, the 2020 NMCA Xtreme Pro Mod champion.“ For me, it’ s important. I wanted to recognize my team as well, and had Jason [ Lee ] and Cam [ Hensley ] come up for that picture. They’ re the guys who help make this thing run. I’ m just lucky enough to let go of a button and have a good time.”

Gustafson ended up drawing the No. 16 chip along with“ The Carolina Kid” Harvey, putting the two as the final pair in the opening round of eliminations on Saturday. When only a couple drivers dipped into the 3.60s in the challenging first round, Gustafson fired off a 3.606 at 210.18 to defeat Harvey. He set low E. T. of the round again in the second round against Jacob Mc- Neal, running a 3.610 at 210.60 while McNeal had to lift. Gustafson’ s charge came to an end in round three when he went red by. 115 seconds. He finished third in the championship hunt. – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI DI DI

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