Sat, 19 Sep 2015, 10:09 AM Former NHRA Pro Mod World Champ al Balooshi Races to Qualifying Lead

Courtesy of NHRA Communications At NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte

CONCORD, N. C. --

Khalid al Balooshi

Former NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world champion Khalid al Balooshi raced to the qualifying lead Friday in the Pro Mod portion of the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. The race is the eighth of 10 events in the 2015 NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

The 2011 world champ in NHRA's Pro Mod class powered to a leading performance of 5.859 seconds at 247.70 mph in his Al-Anabi Racing '69 Camaro.

Danny Rowe qualified second with a 5.885 at 247.66 in his Agave Underground Tequila '68 Camaro and Steve Matusek is third in his Aeromotive/Agave Underground Tequila '68 Camaro.

Series points leader Mike Janis is qualified 13th with one session remaining, as he posted a 6.007 at 242.54 in his supercharged late model Jan-Cen Racing Engines Chevy Camaro.

Two-time defending world champ and local favorite Rickie Smith sits 16th in the qualifying order with a 6.057 at 244.74 in his 2015 IDG Camaro.

The final qualifying session on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. will set the field for eliminations, which opens with the first round on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Friday's results after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the Eighth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, the eighth of 10 events in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Saturday's first round of eliminations.

Pro Modified -- 1. Khalid alBalooshi, Chevy Camaro, 5.859, 247.70; 2. Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, 5.885, 247.66; 3. Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.886, 248.52; 4. Troy Coughlin Jr., Corvette, 5.906, 254.23; 5. Bob Rahaim, Corvette, 5.916, 247.47; 6. Clint Satterfield, Pontiac Firebird, 5.918, 248.34; 7. Bill Glidden, Ford Mustang, 5.946, 240.89; 8. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 5.947, 240.98; 9. Chip King, Dodge Charger, 5.952, 241.07; 10. Eric Latino, Camaro, 5.960, 244.25; 11. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, 6.000, 244.96; 12. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.002, 244.78; 13. Mike Janis, Camaro, 6.007, 242.54; 14. Jay Payne, Camaro, 6.023, 241.54; 15. Don Walsh, Camaro, 6.044, 246.12; 16. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 6.057, 244.74. Not Qualified: 17. Shane Molinari, 6.066, 242.76; 18. Doug Winters, 6.080, 237.92; 19. Mike Castellana, 6.144, 236.59; 20. Robert Patrick Jr., 6.575, 206.07; 21. Troy Coughlin, 6.582, 177.37; 22. Kenny Lang, 6.760, 155.97; 23. Steven Whiteley, 6.961, 167.14; 24. Mike Knowles, 8.332, 131.65; 25. Chuck Little, 9.576, 114.95; 26. Gerry Capano, 10.745, 111.38.