Sat, 28 Sep 2013, 20:11 PM Laurita Earns Top Qualifying Position and First-Round Victory

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2013 Auto Imagery, Inc. In NHRA Pro Mod Series Racing at Gateway Motorsports Park

MADISON, Ill. --

Rickie Smith

Jim Laurita posted the quickest run of the weekend during the first-round of eliminations Saturday in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.

Earlier on Saturday at Gateway Motorsports Park, the Morgantown, W.Va. driver earned his first career No. 1 qualifying position in the popular doorslammer touring series with a performance of 5.854 seconds at 245.36 mph in his nitrous-injected '68 Camaro.

In taking the first-round victory, Laurita powered his machine to a performance of 5.820 at 245.90 to defeat alternate Steve Matusek, whose Ford Mustang broke at the start. Laurita will have lane choice over second round opponent Troy Coughlin, the defending series champ, when NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series eliminations resume Sunday, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Other second round pairings include Robert Patrick vs. Kevin Fiscus; Harold Martin vs. series points leader Rickie Smith; and Mike Castellana vs. Dan Stevenson.

Several drivers in championship contention were defeated in the first round, including Charlotte winner Von Smith, who fell to Stevenson; Kenny Lang, who lost a fast side-by-side race to Patrick; and Danny Rowe, who lost on a holeshot to Martin.