Sat, 28 Sep 2013, 10:54 AM Laurita Races to Qualifying Lead in NHRA Pro Mod Series at St. Louis

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2013 Auto Imagery, Inc.

MADISON, Ill. --

Jim Lautrita

Jim Laurita raced to the qualifying lead in just his second NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series start Friday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Laurita, who made his NHRA Pro Mod debut at the last event in Charlotte, N.C., powered his nitrous-powered '68 Chevy Camaro to the qualifying lead with a performance of 5.854 seconds at 245.23 mph.

Kenny Lang was second with a 5.908 at 246.21 in his Summit Racing Corvette and Mike Castellana was third in his Al-Anabi Racing Camaro with a 5.914 at 241.02.

Series points leader Rickie Smith qualified fifth in his late model Camaro with a 5.924 at 243.68, followed by the touring series' most recent winner, Von Smith, who was sixth with a 5.930 at 242.32 in his Dr. Moon's Rage/Al-Anabi Racing '69 Camaro.

In a scary moment during the second qualifying session, Swedish Pro Mod driver Adam Flamholc's supercharged Camaro went out of control near the finish line and impacted the guardwall. He was reportedly alert and responding to commands as he was transported to St. Louis University Trauma Center.

The final Pro Mod qualifying session is Saturday at 1:45 p.m. and will be followed by the first round of eliminations, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. Pro Mod eliminations will continue Sunday at approximately 2:30 p.m.