Veteran Rickie Smith powered his IDG ’12 Camaro to the qualifying lead in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx portion of the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway during Friday qualifying action.
Smith’s first qualifying attempt earned him the provisional No. 1 position with a 5.950 second pass but it was his second qualifying pass, 5.900 seconds at 240.85 mph, that earned him the qualifying lead heading into Saturday. If his time stands through Saturday’s final qualifying session (1:30 p.m.) it would be the first No. 1 position of his career.
Troy Coughlin proved that his win in Englishtown was no fluke as he powered his JEGS.com turbo-charged ’68 Camaro to the No. 2 spot with his 5.951 second pass at 251.06 mph. Chip King sits third after a wild second qualifying pass that ended up being the third quickest of the weekend but after his parachutes failed to deploy, the Strutmasters turbo-charged ’69 Daytona ended up in the sand trap. King was not injured in the incident.
The first round of eliminations starts Saturday at 4 p.m. and Pro Mod eliminations continue Sunday at approximately 2:30 p.m.
(DI file photo by Ian Tocher)
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Friday’s results (June 15) after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway, fifth of ten events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx.
Pro Modified
1. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.900, 240.85; 2. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 5.951, 251.06; 3. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 5.967, 246.89; 4. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.971, 242.28; 5. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.974, 238.01; 6. Donald Martin, Camaro, 5.976, 242.80; 7. Leah Pruett, Ford Mustang, 6.023, 248.80; 8. Pete Farber, Daytona, 6.025, 240.17; 9. Mike Knowles, Camaro, 6.044, 239.65; 10. Mike Janis, Mustang, 6.088, 237.67; 11. Donald Walsh, Mustang, 6.119, 247.20; 12. Jay Payne, Camaro, 6.123, 237.46; 13. Rick Stivers, Camaro, 6.177, 231.95; 14. Doug Winters, Chevy Bel Air, 6.455, 217.25; 15. Scott Ray, Chevy Corvette, 6.468, 216.51; 16. Steve Matusek, Mustang, 7.174, 201.43. Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Lang, broke.
This story was originally published on June 16, 2012. 
