Wed, 23 Sep 2009, 01:10 AM Qualifying Battles Down to the Wire in Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash

Courtesy of Matthew Brammer

On the heels of one of the most exciting and intense Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge events of the season at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals, the battle to qualify for the $35,000 Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash has intensified to a do-or-die mentality.

The current qualifiers, the top eight in points for the Pro Mod Challenge World Championship, include (in order): *Burton Auxier, *Roger Burgess, *Danny Rowe, *Mike Castellana, *Joe Baker, Raymond Commisso, Jay Payne and Tim Tindle. While the five top qualifiers have secured their spots (marked with an *), the bottom three will have to defend their positions.

Brad Personett, Mike Knowles, and Charlotte-winner Rick Stivers all have mathematical possibility of making the Clash. Personett is 38 points behind Tindle - just two round-wins, while Knowles is 43 points back, and Stivers 59.

With one qualifying Pro Mod Challenge event remaining, the NHRA Virginia Nationals, Oct. 9-11, there are 116 available points, along with a possible 20 points for setting a new national ET record. Drivers receive 10 points for attending the event, up-to 28 qualifying points, and 20 points per round-win. To break into the top eight the drivers trying to get in will have to have a combination of one of the bottom-three driver's early exit combined with going two or three rounds beyond them - possibly requiring an event win - in order to have a shot at a piece of the $35,000 purse.

The track in Richmond has produced record times in the past, and given optimum weather conditions, any combination of events is possible. For the top 11 drivers in the class, every lap down the track will be critical, and for the remaining contestants, bragging rights on being a spoiler can also be earned, making for another thrilling Pro Mod show.

Follow the action at the Virginia Nationals on NHRA.com or at dragracecentral.com. For complete coverage, visit ProModChallenge.com.