2015 NHRA US Nationals Extra: Rickie Smith Leads Friday Pro Mod Qualifying


2015 NHRA US Nationals Extra: Rickie Smith Leads Friday Pro Mod Qualifying

#6 Qualifier Danny Rowe, 2015 Corvette, 5.952, 245.00

 

Words by NHRA Communications

 

Defending NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series world champion Rickie Smith raced to the qualifying lead Friday at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, the seventh of 10 events on the Pro Mod schedule. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is presented by JEGS.

Smith powered his late model IDG nitrous-injected Camaro to a leading performance of 5.901 seconds at 246.48 mph. Smith, who won his first race of the year at Bristol Dragway in June, is looking for his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and sixth of his career.
“Luckily, we ran a little better down the back half,” Smith said. “It was a little tricky out there; you didn’t know what to do. The clouds had come in, the air was starting to blow and the track was starting to cool down. I didn’t think I had enough clutch, but I ended up having too much clutch. Luckily we made a pretty good call and made a good run.”

Former Pro Mod world champion Khalid alBalooshi was second in his Precision Turbo and Engine 1969 Camaro with a 5.908 at 245.09 and Steve Whiteley was third in his Cadillac CTS-V with a 5.920 at 245.76.

Troy
Series points leader and Gainesville winner Bob Rahaim was 10th after the first session with a 6.005 at 243.90 while second place points sitter Troy Coughlin (above) qualified fifth in his Corvette.
Two rounds of Pro Mod qualifying will be held Saturday at 2 and 5:30 p.m. The fourth and final round of qualifying will be held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. before the first round of eliminations at 2 p.m.

***

BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Friday’s results after the first one of four rounds of qualifying for the 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis, the seventh of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Pro Modified — 1. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.901, 246.48; 2. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.908, 245.09; 3. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 5.920, 245.76; 4. Don Walsh, Camaro, 5.940, 250.74; 5. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Corvette, 5.948, 249.12; 6. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 5.952, 245.00; 7. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.962, 242.89; 8. Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.976, 245.72; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Corvette, 5.979, 249.95; 10. Bob Rahaim, Corvette, 6.005, 243.90; 11. Chip King, Dodge Charger, 6.006, 238.81; 12. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.007, 238.34; 13. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 6.008, 242.54; 14. Mike Castellana, Corvette, 6.013, 239.27; 15. Richie Stevens, Camaro, 6.020, 238.26; 16. Jeff Naiser, Camaro, 6.023, 237.75.

Not Qualified: 17. Harold Martin, 6.063, 240.00; 18. Jimmy Widener, 6.077, 233.76; 19. Dan Stevenson, 6.129, 240.85; 20. Doug Winters, 6.148, 236.13; 21. Kenny Lang, 6.207, 237.92; 22. Michael Biehle, 6.223, 248.34; 23. Gerry Capano, 6.264, 228.65; 24. Bill Glidden, 6.317, 181.69; 25. Shane Molinari, 6.334, 242.10; 26. Pete Farber, 6.446, 237.92; 27. Jim Bell, 7.047, 155.92; 28. Kevin Fiscus, 8.081, 115.44; 29. Clint Satterfield, 8.413, 151.26; 30. Richard Snavely, 9.265, 97.83; 31. Jay Payne, 13.459, 98.10.


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