Big idea, clear and complete: This article shows how Eric Gustafson claimed a $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus at the Winter Series and secured the No. 1 qualifier in the World Series of Pro Mod, while detailing the standout performances, key matchups, and awards from the event, plus the schedule and where to watch.
Overview
Eric Gustafson, driving the ProCharged Coast Packing Company “Lard Machine” ’69 Camaro, topped the initial Friday qualifying at Bradenton Motorsports Park with a 3.553-second pass at 211.16 mph, the quickest run in the 32-car eighth-mile Pro Mod field for this event. This result came after his Winter Series podium finishes earlier in the season, which positioned him third in points before the qualifier. The team, led by tuner Jason Lee and with Cam Hensley contributing, produced the No. 1 seed despite a weight penalty from the prior race, underscoring the crew’s resilience and skill. Gustafson earned a $10,000 Low Qualifier Bonus from Jerry Bickel Race Cars and drew the No. 16 seed in the first round eliminations, setting up a Saturday showdown with Travis Harvey.
Notable performances
- Jason Harris, the Winter Series points leader, clocked a 3.555-second run at 211.26 mph in his boosted ’69 Camaro, narrowly missing the top spot by two-thousandths of a second and earning the No. 2 seed. He faces Pro Mod newcomer Greg Blevins Jr. in the first round.
- Spencer Hyde, the 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year, qualified third in the Tidwell Nesloney Racing screw‑blown ’69 Camaro, continuing a Winter Series association with the car and team. Hyde posted a 3.560 at 205.16 mph and will race Kenny Lang in the opening round.
- Johnny Camp, who previously claimed the pole in 2023, returned for the Winter Series and qualified No. 4 with a 3.566 at 210.73 mph in the ProCharged “Hells Bells” ’69 Camaro. Stevie Jackson, the U.S. Street Nationals winner, also posted strong numbers in the screw‑blown M&M Transmission/Motion Raceworks Firebird.
- Robin Roberts, a former No Prep Kings champion, secured the No. 32 spot with a 3.602 at 211.00 mph.
Special awards and additional notes
The Winter Series honored several first-time awards this year, including Peter Norton as Rookie of the Year and Derek Menholt’s PRC‑built ’19 Corvette for Best Engineered Car. Jason Harris’s Harold Denton tribute ’69 Camaro took Best Appearing Car, while Kallee Mills’ team earned Best Appearing Crew.
Elimination format and upcoming action
The 32-car field determines the first-round pairings, with the following matchups to open eliminations: Gustafson vs. Harvey, Hyde vs. Lang, Harris vs. Blevins Jr., Camp vs. D’Aprile, Jackson vs. Matos, and Roberts vs. Banaka, among others. In Pro 10.5, Fletcher CoxTM, the Super Bowl champion, delivered the low E.T. in the first round with a 3.906-second effort in his nitrous-fed ’69 Camaro. True 10.5 also completed the initial round with several racers advancing to round two.
How and where to watch
eliminations begin Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time, with Pro Mod leading the way; general admission tickets are $40, and military personnel and children 12 and under receive free admission. The event livestream is available via FloRacing, and detailed schedules and tickets can be found on the official RaceBMP site.
Takeaway and prompt for discussion
This weekend’s results showcase the depth and speed of Pro Mod competition, the impact of crew teamwork under penalties, and the ongoing drama of chip draws in race day outcomes. Do you think Gustafson’s No. 1 qualifier will translate to a championship run, or will shifting conditions and the draw dynamics upend expectations? Share your thoughts in the comments about whether the best qualifying run always leads to the overall win, or if eliminations surprises are the true measure of a racer’s season.
