Sat, 6 Oct 2007, 02:30 PM Pro Modified Qualifying Notes, Session #1

By Larry Sullivan

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Pro Modified at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Second annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:

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Right Lane: Tommy Mauney Runs 8.924/124.41, Now #1

2:04 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 74 percent, barometer 29.94 inches, adjusted altitude 1,508 feet, track temperature 98 degrees.

With yesterday's rain, the Pro Mods will only get two rounds of qualifying, with all four rounds of eliminations scheduled for Sunday.

Mauney opened the session with a fine exhibition of tire shake.

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Left Lane: George Landis Runs 6.319/222.40, Now #2
Right Lane: Chip King Runs 6.235/232.63, Now #1

Both drivers made full passes, but Landis' car trailed a lot of white "death smoke" on the top end.

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Left Lane: Mike Stawicki Runs 7.219/203.19, Now #4
Right Lane: Matt Hagan Runs 6.192/232.91, Now #1

A quick check found no oil, so the action continued.

Early-model Camaro lookalikes, a pair. Both shook, both pedaled. Stawicki slowed considerable before getting the shake tamed down, Hagan made a good recovery with just a quick pedal slap.

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Left Lane: Rick Stivers No Time, Now #8
Right Lane: Mike Janis Runs 6.046/239.95, Now #1

Stivers' neat-looking '68 Camaro refused to fire when the time came, so Janis made a solo pass. Janis was extremely quick and consistent last weekend, at Budds Creek, winning the event. His car appeared a bit soft on the launch, but quickly got up on the tires and picked up right where he left off last Sunday.

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Left Lane: John Russo Runs 6.061/238.68, Now #2
Right Lane: Scott Ray No Time, Now #10

Two nice runs, but neither could catch Janis. Ray took out a timing reflector at the finish line, so his 6.143 time at 223.14 mph won't count.

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Left Lane: Harold Laird Runs 6.713/155.08, Now #7
Right Lane: Shelly Payne Runs 6.038/237.67, Now #1

Laird's car was all over the lane from half-track on. The distaff-half of the Payne family made a very nice run and took the top spot - for now, anyway.

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Left Lane: Tim Tindle No Time, Now #14
Right Lane: Steve Engel No Time, Now #13

Both lost traction violently at the hit, Tindle almost crossing the centerline at the 60-foot mark.

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Left Lane: Tony Pontieri Runs 12.932/89.08, Now #11
Right Lane: Raymond Commisso Runs 6.239/231.12, Now #6

Pontieri lost traction very early in the run. Commisso lost a ,of of time in the first half of the run, then made a strong run on the top end.

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Left Lane: Jay Payne Runs 11.863/86.06, Now #12
Right Lane: Josh Hernandez Runs 6.019/241.32, Now #1

Last pair. Payne lost traction early in the run, but Hernandez nailed this one, right down the throat with low ET and top speed.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink