Sun, 29 Sep 2013, 15:19 PM Pro Modified Round 3 Eliminations

By Rick Green

MADISON, Ill. - Results of round 3 eliminations in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, Second annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals:

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
   43 Rickie Smith                         1087 Jim Laurita                  
E3   ****WINNER****  0.021  5.877 244.87                     0.061  9.396  92.73
 Prior rounds:
E2    (H Martin    ) 0.058  5.894 242.84      (T Coughlin  ) 0.082  5.862 244.43
E1    (C Satterfiel) 0.951  5.896 243.02      (S Matusek   ) 0.057  5.820 245.90
 Qualified:             #5  5.924 243.68                        #1  5.854 245.23

Weather conditions: air temperature 76 degrees, relative humidity 47 percent, barometer 29.57 inches, adjusted altitude 2,132 feet, track temperature 106 degrees.

This is the first time Smith and Laurita have faced each other in eliminations. Smith with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Laurita got real loose and had to click it off. Smith with the wins his first NHRA Pro Mod championship.

 Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT----ET---Speed
  262 Robert Patrick Jr.                      2 Mike Castellana              
E3                         No Time           ****WINNER****  0.065  6.254 171.23
 Prior rounds:
E2    (K Fiscus    ) 0.049  5.921 242.45      (D Stevenson ) 0.045  5.855 245.36
E1    (K Lang      ) 0.079  5.934 240.72      (R Muenks    ) 0.050  5.893 243.59
 Qualified:            #15  6.009 239.44                        #3  5.914 241.02

Patrick Jr. doesn't make the call. Castellana with problems just past half track and clicks it off. He will give up lane choice to Smith in the final.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink