Red-Hot J.R. Carr Embracing Spotlight As Mountain Motor Pro Stock Set For 2022 NHRA Debut|

The spotlight is something J.R. Carr is still getting used to afterwards an impressive run of success in 2020. At this charge per unit, though, it might be commonplace soon.

Enjoying a breakout flavour in the Mountain Motor Pro Stock ranks in the PDRA, Carr volition try to continue that as the class makes its flavour-debut in the NHRA this weekend at Indy.

Carr won his first career PDRA race in June with a dominant performance in his new RJ Race Cars-built '20 Camaro, giving Carr arguably the biggest spotlight he's enjoyed in his career.

"We have performed well and run well and we're expected to stay there, and then that's actress force per unit area. Nosotros're not used to that yet, but hopefully nosotros can proceed that and we can go used to (large expectations)," Carr said. "We're going to continue to put forth our best effort. Everybody involved is excited almost this weekend and we will put on a skillful evidence."

Carr has seemingly taken that challenge well-nigh personally lately, qualifying No. ane in dorsum-to-dorsum races and advancing to dorsum-to-back finals, as well bringing plenty of momentum into his beginning quarter-mile race of the twelvemonth.

The NHRA was slated to begin much earlier for the MMPS course, simply the COVID-xix pandemic pushed the debut all the way to August.

That has Carr and others eager to put on a show for NHRA fans for the first time in 2020, specially after the considerable momentum the grade gained in the NHRA a twelvemonth ago.

With every major form on hand at Lucas Oil Raceway this weekend, Carr knows MMPS will do its best to stand out.

"Our class has deserved this attention for a long time and we really haven't had the opportunity," Carr said. "Terminal twelvemonth was phenomenal with the people coming past the pits and the attention the class got on Television set, at the runway and on social media. COVID has fabricated things difficult, but there'due south still a lot of excitement this year.

"Information technology'due south a large deal to showcase our class, bring in some more fans and possibly even become some of these Top Sportsman guys stepping upwards to the class in the future."

Carr believes MMPS has untapped potential for drivers, considering the financial means needed to be successful in the class.

With the category looking to brand positive steps and attract new talent, Carr agrees that platforms like racing at a NHRA national event can help spur futurity growth.

"For what some of these Tiptop Sportsman guys are spending, they can run this grade. Information technology's the nigh economic pro course out in that location that I know of. Mountain Motor Pro Stock is nearly equally efficient equally it gets," Carr said.

"It'due south actually a great course. You've got carburetors and hood scoops for one, and the other big matter is you lot accept the big three (Mopar, Ford, Chevy) manufacturers in the class and you'll come across all three this weekend. That'southward a big deal and hopefully another attraction for people."

Information technology's definitely a major attraction for fans, who flocked to the MMPS pits a year agone. Fan attendance is drastically reduced at Indy this twelvemonth due to the ongoing pandemic, simply it'southward nevertheless a run a risk for Carr and visitor to put on a testify.

He did that last year at the NHRA race in Houston, going a remarkable 6.233-seconds at 227.80 mph to set both ends of the MMPS record.

This weekend will be his get-go quarter-mile in the new machine, but with the impressive potential it has shown, the big goals remain for Carr.

"Things should translate to the quarter-mile. There's really no reason it won't" Carr said. "The new car has been a big reason for our success. Most of the fourth dimension on these cars, it doesn't take much to exist off. Either it's not happy and a handful or it'south but non as fast. Only the motorcar has non be upset with usa and, honestly, the back one-half is usually easier, and then we should be fine."

The other major change is only two qualifiers during the two-twenty-four hour period event, a alter made during the pandemic for the rest of NHRA events in 2020. That ways a skilful kickoff is imperative against what Carr knows will exist a standout field looking to leave their mark on the NHRA stage, especially with so much uncertainty about when — and where — the next race volition accept identify.

"The air volition more than likely be better on the beginning qualifier, and at present y'all really have to do a good job because there'southward 11 cars in an eight-car field, and any of the xi are capable of existence in the field and staying there," Carr said. "Nosotros're going to put forth our all-time endeavour and maybe take a little more motivation considering it might be a while before we race (NHRA) over again."