Sun, 13 Oct 2002, 02:33 PM Pro Modified Round 1 Eliminations

By Dave Rowe

ENNIS, Texas - Results of round 1 eliminations in Pro Modified at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   4 Thomas Patterson    6.278 222.49  Q    5 Bill Kuhlmann       6.290 223.32
                  0.000 No Data        E1 *****WINNER***** 0.593  9.911 100.84

1:16 PM Patterson has problems getting the engine started and can't make the run. Kuhlmann hits the throttle, shakes the tires, pedals two or three times and finally gives up on the run.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   6 Mike Ashley         6.298 223.71  Q    3 Andy Neyer          6.255 226.47
 *****WINNER***** 0.490  6.238 224.49  E1                  0.510  6.456 212.56

A great driving job by Ashley. He comes off the line and heads for the wall. He never lifts, gets it back toward the right, the rear end swaying back and forth, and takes the win.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   1 Mitch Stott         6.214 228.83  Q    8 Billy Harper        6.342 222.82
 *****WINNER***** 0.497  6.234 227.44  E1                  0.480  6.311 224.27

Harper leaves first and hangs on for the first sixty feet. Stott starts closing the gap and goes ahead just before the 330-foot timers and pulls away for the win. He will have lane choice over Kuhlmann in round two.

Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed-Rd-Qua-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET---Speed
   2 Shannon Jenkins     6.239 224.77  Q    7 Rickie Smith        6.309 222.60
                  0.481  7.428 126.58  E1 *****WINNER***** 0.418  6.311 222.44

Smith gets a big hole-shot and pulls away, increasing his lead at every incremental. Jenkins shuts down about 1000-feet out. Ashley will have lane choice over Smith in round two.