Courtesy Drag Illustrated Images Mike Gregg

Vincent Nobile in his Jersey Auto Supply 2024 Chevy Camaro picked up his first career victory in Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock Sunday at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

In the finals, Nobile lined up against Mike Coughlin Jr. in his JHG / Elite Motorsports machine. Coughlin left the starting line first, but Nobile ran the quickest pass of the weekend at 6.306-seconds and 221.38 mph to defeat Coughlin’s 6.342 at 222.55. It is Nobile’s first win in JHG Mountain Motor Pro Stock and his first national event win since 2018.

“We came back because this is something me and my father could afford to do. We just love Pro Stock and this is so similar to Pro Stock. I’m just really proud of our team. It’s been a while, been a real long time,” said Nobile who has 13 Pro Stock wins to his name. “We’ve had a lot of uphill battles with this car. We finally got things squared away as you could see: the car ran really strong on that last pass. Thanks to everyone that helps us out, especially Anthony from Jersey Auto Supply. And my family, I love my family.”

Nobile started eliminations from the No. 4 qualifying spot thanks to a 6.336-second pass at 220.87 mph that set him up to face Chris Powers and the Sonny’s Racing Engines Chevy Camaro in the first round. Powers had the starting line advantage but ran into problems early, allowing Nobile to drive around him in 6.331 seconds at 221.20 mph. Powers eventually crossed the finish line in 11.948 at just 71.47.

In the second round, Nobile defeated No. 1 qualifier and points leader John DeFlorian in his Total Seal Piston Rings Chevy Camaro on a holeshot. Nobile and DeFlorian had identical 6.314-second elapsed times, but Nobile’s .035 reaction time was enough to defeat DeFlorian who had a 0.53 reaction time.

En route to the finals, Coughlin, the No. 7 qualifier (6.394 at 217.28), faced most recent event winner and reigning world champion Johnny Pluchino and his Ross Environmental Services Ford in the first round. Both drivers left the starting line first but Coughlin’s 6.337 at 221.63 was enough to defeat Pluchino’s 6.387 at 217.00. Coughlin would take on Dennis Firkusand the Done Rite Auto Chevy Cobalt in the second round. Coughlin would have the starting line advantage and never trail with a 6.327-second pass at 222.73 mph to Firkus’ 6.338 at 222.29.

The JHG Mountain Motor Pro Stock season comes to a close at this weekend’s NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois just outside of St. Louis, where the 2025 champion will be crowned.