Pro Mod: Englishtown Saturday notes

Von Smith qualifies No. 1 for NHRA AMS Pro Mod Challenge

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 19, 2004) -- Von Smith, from Oak Ridge, Tenn., driver of the Tommy Lipar Racing Ford Mustang, paced the eight-car field qualifying No. 1 for the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge, an NHRA exhibition class, being contested this weekend as part of the 35th annual NHRA K&N Filters SuperNationals presented by Strauss Discount Auto.

The eight-car field is made up of five supercharged cars and three nitrous cars. This is the first NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge race since a rule change reduced the blower overdrive percentage from 25-percent to 20-percent. For supercharged cars.

In addition to Smith, Mike Ashley, Jim Halsey, Al Billes, Shannon Jenkins, Danny Rowe, Rickie Smith and Zach Barklage round out the eight qualified drivers for tomorrow's eliminations which begin for all classes at 11 a.m.

"We've had a lot of trouble getting untracked thus far this season," said Smith. "Maybe this No. 1 will be the shot in the arm that we need to put the Tommy Lipar Racing Ford Mustang into the winner's circle."

First-round pairings for Sunday's eliminations for the fifth of 10 events on the NHRA AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge, an NHRA exhibition class, being held at the 35th annual K&N Filters SuperNationals presented by Strauss Auto at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday:

Pro Modified
1. Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 6.229, 230.69
    vs. 8. Zach Barklage, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.279, 229.31
2. Mike Ashley, Shelby Mustang, 6.231, 227.84
    vs. 7. Rickie Smith, Chevy Corvette, 6.278, 223.17
3. Jim Halsey, Corvette, 6.235, 224.70
    vs. 6. Dan Rowe, Corvette, 6.273, 229.00
4. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.253, 229.43
    vs. 5. Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro, 6.265, 223.39.

-nhra-