Stevie “Fast” Jackson is no stranger to the Winner’s Circle over the years in many different areas of Drag Racing, but it had been since the 4-Wide Nationals at ZMax in the spring of 2021 since him and ‘Charlotte’ (his 2021 Rick Jones Camaro) made it to the NHRA Winner’s Circle until the NHRA Charlotte Nationals this weekend at ZMax Dragway. 

Stevie ‘Fast’ was one of three of the Team Bahrain One team members participating in the Carolina Nationals this weekend along side Justin Bond and Kahlid alBalooshi. 

The former NHRA Pro Mod World Champion claimed his 12th NHRA National Event today against his team mate and good friend, Justin Bond after a long day of battling the best of the best. 

In Round one, Jackson defeated teammate, Khalid alBalooshi in a tight drag race with a margin of victory of .024. 

Round two he defeated 2022 US Nationals Champion, Lyle Barnett. In the semi-finals he overcame the number one qualifier, Jose Gonzales before defeating teammate Justin Bond on both ends of the racetrack after a starting line advantage and out running Bond.

“They say that it’s always darkest before the dawn and sometimes it’s more literal than others,” said the Carolina Nationals Champion, Jackson. “It’s been a tough season and I wanted this win for our team so badly. Watching my guys on the starting line celebrate makes all the tough losses worth it. Sheikh Abdulla has never once doubted us and this win is for him and all of the fans that have encouraged me for the last 18 months.”

“I told my guys 4 races ago, we have the best car out here, you just have to keep lining it up,” said Jackson. “This was my first NHRA win as both a crew chief and driver, so celebrating in the winners circle with my family, crew, team , and the fans was the most fun I’ve had in a long time…. And yes, we drove that bitch back!“

This win comes as a sentimental win for Jackson due to past events at this racetrack. 

“I crashed my old car ‘Lucille’ here in 2018 and it almost killed me,” said Jackson. “I started construction of the new RJ Racecars car the next day. I named her Charlotte to remind me that through our biggest failures, we have the opportunity to showcase our greatest strengths and we did just that today! I couldn’t be more proud!” 

With two races left in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series Championship series, this jumps Steve Jackson to third place in the points standings, with Justin Bond just behind him in the number 5 spot. The ultimate goal is obviously to claim a World Championship for the team, and with St. Louis next weekend, followed by Dallas in October being ‘points-and-a-half’, the opportunity is definitely there. 

Team Bahrain One will continue their quest for the NHRA FuelTech Pro Mod World Championship next weekend in St. Louis at the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway Sept 30 - Oct 2. 

For more information on the NHRA series, visit www.nhra.com