LAS VEGAS 2 - Pro Mod Saturday Wrap Up

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Sun, 26 Oct 2003, 02:15 PM

Smith Lands Pole in Crazy Final Session

By Bobby Bennett Jr., www.competitionplus.com

Hahn and Stott Failed to Qualify

LAS VEGAS -- You just had to be there. In the final session, three of the top five points earners entered unqualified with the top two on the outside looking in. When it was all said and done, those two missed out on a golden opportunity to wrap up a title. Beyond that, lost in the shuffle of a championship battle was Von Smith’s quick qualifying effort during the final session of the season at the NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at Las Vegas, Nev. This is the final stop on the ten-race AMS Pro Modified Challenge.

Smith, a former alcohol Funny Car World Champion from Oak Ridge, Tenn., was in complete control with Tommy Lipar’s supercharged Mustang as he nailed down the top spot in a final qualifying session that had championship implications and a grisly two-car crash. The Howard Moon-tuned entry stormed to a 6.247, 228.11. Smith is considered a favorite by reaching the final round in the last three races of his four-race Pro Modified career.

Chip King continued the Hemi domination in qualifying as he pushed his Dodge Avenger to a 6.262, 226.77 for the second spot. He was unqualified headed into the final session to bump out a surprising John Scialpi.

Thomas Patterson, who entered the show fourth in the points, held onto his qualifying position for all four sessions. He was sixth entering the final one but made the quantum leap to third with his quickest pass of the weekend, a 6.271, 222.80.

Rounding out the top half of the field was Dennis Radford, who pushed the ex-Rickie Smith Dodge Viper to the quickest nitrous lap of the weekend with a 6.279, 222.91. He was ahead of Shannon Jenkins’ 6.297, 222.14, which came during the third session.

Slipping into the field on his last shot was Tim McAmis, who was unqualified at the time. McAmis, third place in the points and with the best mathematical chance to win the championship, laid down a 6.298, 223.39.

Rick Distefano made the trip from Calgary, Alberta, a positive one as he made the quickest Pro Modified field in Las Vegas Motor Speedway history. Distefano produced a 6.307, 225.26 to get his lethal Corvette into the show.

Rounding out the eight-car field was Mike Castellana’s 6.308, 221.96 which came in the final session.

First round matches include Smith vs. Castellana; King vs. Distefano; Patterson vs. McAmis and Radford vs. Jenkins.

Saturday Notes

Championship Implications – The first round match between Thomas Patterson and Tim McAmis could settle the 2003 AMS Pro Modified Championship. McAmis entered the final event ranked third and Patterson was one spot lower. With the DNQ’s of top two Fred Hahn and Mitch Stott, it opened the door for the two seemingly long-shots to win the crown. If Patterson wins, he must go on to win the event to claim the crown.

What a session – Entering the final session, points leader Hahn resided in the 11th spot, while the #2 man Stott was 16th. Fifth place runner Mike Ashley was 12th. Ashley was in the first pair and failed to improve after a wheels-up, tire-smoking effort in his InfiNet-sponsored entry. Five pairs later, Stott got into the field with a 6.313, 225.41. He landed in the seventh spot. Hahn followed and failed to improve with a 6.332, 221.49. With McAmis on the bump spot, Mike Castellana’s 6.308, 221.96 knocked McAmis from the field. With McAmis the final car in the lanes and Stott on the bump, the original World Champion sent Stott back to Mill Spring, NC., with a 6.298, 223.38.

What a session, Part 2 – At the hit during the final session, Harold Martin launched hard in the right lane only to encounter tire shake and drift out of the groove in the ACDelco Pontiac. He made a valiant effort to correct the wayward machine but ended up tagging the opposite wall at mid-track. Lost in the excitement was Marty McGinnis, who lost control of his ’38 Chevy and struck the wall in the shutdown area. Neither driver was injured.

Smith is a bad hombre’ – Von Smith’s first race was the U.S. Nationals and in the three ensuing events, he has reached the final round three times, winning once. The interesting thing is that Smith’s ride is not secure for next year.

King is king of the Hemis – Chip King is the only true Mopar Hemi combination in the field. Dennis Radford’s Dodge Viper is Chevrolet-powered.

Cannon is back – Scotty Cannon made the official announcement that he will drive a Pro Modified entry, but is leaving the door open for double-duty in Funny Car. He will begin the season in the Studebaker that landed the ’98 title. However, he could switch to a blown Viper next year. With two jobs reportedly open in the Force camp, could the once-rivals end up teammates?

Ashley announcement soon – Word has it that Mike Ashley will make an announcement for next season for a two-car team with a driver to be named later. The New York mortgage banker will not be driving his trademark ’41 Willys; opting for a body style not common to Pro Modified. Here’s a hint, Carroll Shelby could be indirectly involved.