AMS PRO MODIFIED - Houston
Conroe, Texas resident, Josh Hernandez, made it two in a row for 2007 and a three-peat in Houston as he won the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park and the coveted AMS eagle, defeating Scott Cannon, Jr. in a peddle-fest final round under the lights, 6.208/225.26 to 6.227/233.72.
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SUNDAY - Hernandez scores a Three-Peat in Houston
From the start of the day with a cruel April Fool's joke and learning why pits
are called pits, to the final addition to the AMS Five Second Club and a final
round under the full moon, the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge
presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. proved once again to be a stellar
performance of top talent in the Pro Modified world.
Conroe, Texas
resident, Josh Hernandez, made it two in a row for 2007 and a three-peat in
Houston as he won the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park and
the coveted AMS eagle, defeating Scott Cannon, Jr. in a peddle-fest final round
under the lights, 6.208/225.26 to 6.227/233.72.
"All I can say is that I
love racing at this track - regardless of the mud and rain," Hernandez
said.
The mud came from the torrential rains that pounded the area all
day Saturday, turning the Pro Mod pits into swamps and forcing teams to work on
sheets of plywood, plastic tarps and any patch of dry asphalt or pavement they
could find.
The rustic conditions failed to hinder the competition and
performance, however. Scott Cannon, Jr. became the final member of the AMS Five
Second club when he ran a 5.998 238.85 in his first round defeat of Tony
Pontieri.
Cannon said, "It's ironic, really. My dad [Pro Mod racer
Scotty Cannon] was the last driver to join the Six Second club, and I'm the last
member of the Five Second club. Pretty cool."
The day began for the
racers with the promise off running a second qualifying run before NHRA Pre Race
ceremonies, but the hopes were dashed in what seemed like a bad practical joke
after spending almost 40 minutes in the lanes waiting for the Safety Safari to
dry the track. As the tractors were pulling around for a final round of prep,
the skies once again opened up, forcing series administration to set the field
based on the only qualifying run.
"We tried everything we could to give
the teams another shot down the track, but we really wanted to finish the race
here in Houston instead of carrying any rounds over to the next event," series
director Matthew Brammer said. "As it was, we were the very last cars to run
down the track today, and if we had needed another lap, there wouldn't have been
enough time to safely make a pass."
Raymond Commisso earned low
qualifying honors and a $1,000 check from Ohio Crankshaft for his 5.985 elapsed
time in the only round of qualifying.
The AMS Pro Modified Challenge
presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. moves next to Atlanta, Ga. and the Summit
Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, April 26-29.
SUMMARY
of ELIMINATIONS
Round 1:
Scott Ray, (0.031) 14.234 69.67 def. Steve
Engel, (-0.103 foul) 6.099 237.92
Bryan Seward, (0.105) 6.193 231.12
def. Chip King, (0.100) 6.908 158.17
Jay Payne, (0.046) 6.060 237.92
def. Matt Hagan, (0.068) 10.408 85.41
Troy Critchley, (0.072) 6.122
239.14 def. Brandon Pesz, (0.058) 6.149 238.09
Josh Hernandez, (0.033)
6.009 241.67 def. John Russo, (-0.132 foul) 6.197 238.43
Scott Cannon
Jr., (0.053) 5.998 238.85 def. Tony Pontieri, (0.055) 6.107
239.14
Raymond Commisso, (0.109) 6.016 230.84 def. Danny Rowe, (0.061)
6.129 230.76
Tim Tindle, (0.042) 6.020 238.68 def. Eddie Ware, (0.045)
6.158 230.96
Round 2:
B Seward (0.075) 6.209 229.90 def. T
Tindle, (-0.002 foul) 6.127 235.76
R Commisso, (0.165) 7.781 118.92 def.
S Ray, NT-Broke Before Staging
J Hernandez,(0.009) 6.076 239.82 def. J
Payne, NT-Broke Before Staging
S Cannon Jr., (0.091) 6.018 237.84 def. T
Critchley, (0.024) 11.961 70.80
Round 3:
J Hernandez,
(0.028) 6.022 240.51 def. B Seward, (0.095) 6.207 229.94
S Cannon Jr.,
(0.082) 6.044 236.01 def. R Commisso, (0.146) 6.018 244.43
Round
4:
J Hernandez, (0.061) 6.208 225.26 def. S Cannon Jr., (0.058) 6.227
233.72
BAE Championship Cup Points:
1. Josh Hernandez 1168
2.
Troy Critchley 778
3. Raymond Commisso 677
4. Bryan Seward
458
5. Scott Cannon 438
6. Tony Pontieri 368
7. Steve Engel
368
8. Tim Tindle 368
9. Dan Rowe 361
10. Mike Bell
330
11. John Russo 276
12. Jay Payne 261
13. Mike Janis
238
14. Scott Ray 233
15. Chip King 160
16. Matt Hagan
156
17. Eddie Ware 152
18. Mike Stawicki 133
19. Shelly
Payne 132
20. Cody Barklage 131
21. Brandon Pesz 130
22.
Zach Barklage 129
23. Rick Stivers 127
24. Isaias Rojas
25
25. William Rojas 25
26. Angel Garcia 25
SATURDAY -
Drivers in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. have one more qualifying round scheduled Sunday morning before the ladders are set and the pairings announced in the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.Rain pounded the central and southern parts of Texas Saturday, causing NHRA to cancel qualifying for the day. Because the Pro Mods had only one round of qualifying on Friday, the class will run a second qualifying round before the official pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, and will run eliminations as regularly scheduled, beginning at 11 a.m.
Fans can listen to the action live via the Internet on NHRA.com, and can read official results on the series website: www.amspromods.com.
REVISED QUALIFYING AFTER ONE ROUND
1 Raymond Commisso 5.985 243.94
2 Tim Tindle 6.000 239.19
3 John Russo 6.042 241.2
4 Scott Cannon 6.046 238.13
5 Troy Critchley 6.052 240.59
6 Jay Payne 6.065 238.3
7 Chip King 6.148 240.21
8 Steve Engel 6.168 237
9 Scott Ray 6.227 232.27
10 Bryan Seward 6.255 230.45
11 Matt Hagan 6.267 235.27
12 Brandon Pesz 6.536 163.26
13 Tony Pontieri 6.744 212.66
14 Joshua Hernandez 7.269 140.4
15 Eddie Ware 8.307 113.2
16 Dan Rowe 14.617 71.89
-----
Not Qualified: Shelly Payne
(Brandon Pesz’ time was reinstated, as it was determined his parachute hit the last timing cone and he did not cross the center line.)
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FRIDAY QUALIFYING - Commisso on Top after One Round of Qualifying in AMS Pro Mod
Challenge
Raymond Commisso, driver of the Steelback Racing '67 Camaro Pro Mod took the
provisional top spot in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge presented
by Tindle Enterprises, Inc., running an impressive 5.985/243.94 in the only
round of qualifying at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway
Park Friday.
Just missing the elusive five-second barrier, series
sponsor Tim Tindle posted a 6.000/239.19 to grab the number two spot behind the
wheel of his Chuck Ford-tuned '67 Mustang.
In all, the top six drivers
ran 6.065 or quicker, almost .03 seconds better than the 2006 event low
qualifying time of 6.094, putting an exclamation mark on the performance
improvement over last year. Among the top six is 2006 World Champion, Jay
Payne, now comfortably in the show on Sunday after he failed to qualify in
Gainesville.
All is not well, however, in the Payne's camp, as driver
Shelly Payne failed to even make a run due to mechanical problems starting her
car. Because there was only one round of qualifying, she, more than any of the
other drivers, is hoping weather forecasts calling for rain Saturday prove to be
wrong, giving her at least one chance to qualify.
NHRA officials
elected to allow only run one round of qualifying on Friday, citing concern for
driver's safety due to the limited lighting after sundown. AMS Series Director,
Matthew Brammer, said although he never wants to have a round pulled, he agreed
with NHRA’s decision to err on the side of safety for all
concerned.
"NHRA is focused on providing the best track surfaces and the
safest conditions. Graham Light assured me that he would do everything possible
to give our drivers at least one more round of qualifying, and hopefully two -
weather permitting tomorrow," Brammer said.
Barring rain, both scheduled
runs on Saturday will be qualifying passes, and eliminations will be run in
their entirety on Sunday, April 1.
After one round of
qualifying
1 Raymond Commisso 5.985 243.94
2 Tim
Tindle 6.000 239.19
3 John Russo 6.042 241.2
4
Scott Cannon 6.046 238.13
5 Troy Critchley 6.052
240.59
6 Jay Payne 6.065 238.3
7 Chip King 6.148
240.21
8 Steve Engel 6.168 237
9 Scott Ray 6.227
232.27
10 Bryan Seward 6.255 230.45
11 Matt Hagan
6.267 235.27
12 Tony Pontieri 6.744 212.66
13
Joshua Hernandez 7.269 140.4
14 Eddie Ware 8.307
113.2
15 Dan Rowe 14.617 71.89
16 Brandon Pesz
NTR
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THURSDAY PREVIEW
The AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge Presented by Tindle Enterprises,
Inc., will take to the quarter-mile at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at
Houston Raceway Park this weekend, with drivers looking to deliver a spectacular
show of Pro Mod drag racing in the Lone Star state. Points leader and
Gainesville winner Josh Hernandez hopes to make the event a three-peat, having
won in his home town the past two years, while 2006 World Champion Jay Payne is
looking to qualify and make up ground in the points chase to defend his
title.
With new national records in both ET and speed having been set at
the first event by teammates Hernandez and Troy Critchley, the Howard Moon-tuned
duo know there is a target tattooed on their backs.
"It was a great race
in Florida, but, on race-day in Houston, it's anyone's guess," Troy Critchley,
the 2006 event low qualifier, said. "I know that people are champing at the bit
to get at me and Joshie, and it adds some excitement, but, we both still just
have to race our races.
"It's what makes Pro Mods so exciting," he
added.
Along with Jay and Shelly Payne, several other drivers have their
eyes set on taking home the AMS Eagle and the $10,000 prize, including
Torco-drivers Scott Cannon, Jr. and Matt Hagan; Al Billes-tuned John Russo, Tony
Pontieri and Raymond Commisso; Steve Engel and Brandon Pesz; Cody and Zach
Barklage; Scott Ray, Chip King, Eddie Ware, 2006 event runner-up Danny Rowe,
Mike Stawecki; HITnRUNtravel.com's Bryan Seward, and series presenting sponsor
Tim Tindle.
Despite the anticipation of performance for all of the teams
and drivers, the death of fellow racer Eric Medlen is definitely on their minds.
AMS Staff Leasing owner, Dave Wood, said the loss is something that will affect
drag racing forever.
"Any time something like this happens, it makes us
all take a look at why we do this. I want to personally send my condolences to
the Medlen family as well as John Force's whole team and the racers and fans
that loved Eric. It's a family out here, and we've lost someone special," Wood
said.
Qualifying for the second of ten events in the AMS Pro Mod
Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. is scheduled for 2:45 and 5:45
p.m. on Friday, March 30, with a final chance to make the 16-car field at 11
a.m. Saturday morning. Eliminations begin at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, March
31, and the final eight will battle during NHRA eliminations beginning at 11
a.m. on Sunday, April 1.
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THURSDAY NOTEBOOK -
BUNCH OF ALCOHOLICS - The use of methanol racing fuel in nitrous Pro Modified cars is now allowed in
AMS Pro Modified drag racing series.
"We've been looking for ways to provide increased performance
capabilities for the nitrous cars, and, according to our research, the use of
alcohol will potentially increase horsepower by seven to ten percent," series
director Matthew Brammer said.
"I understand this can affect the engine
combination and set up drastically, and we’re not trying to add cost or work to
anyone, but it's another tool in the nitrous arsenal that can be used. They
don't have to, but it's a possibility for them. I know as teams test, they want
to have as much available as possible in order to compete, and this is just
another thing we've determined can help."
Rule changes from 2006 to 2007
allowed the nitrous cars unlimited engine CID, opening the door for new,
different motors in the category.
"It's obvious right now that teams
with blowers have found new horsepower, and although I truly believe that
anything can - and does - happen on race day, we are trying to support and grow
all three configurations: blower, turbo and nitrous," he said.
HOUSTON GAMBLER - The stakes are high for Josh Hernandez, driver of the Tommy Lipar Racing/Dr.
Moon's Rage Pro Modified '68 Camaro. After setting a world ET record en route to
a win in Gainesville, Fla. at the Gatornationals, Hernandez is hoping to keep
his focus at his hometown race. He's also anxious to return to the site of his
first-ever AMS Pro Mod win and improve his record at Houston Raceway Park to
3-0.
"I am absolutely pumped up about racing again in Houston. It's my
hometown race, so all of my friends, family and sponsors will be there, and
we're looking forward to putting on a good show."
Trying to follow up
his record-setting performance in Gainesville may be difficult, however. In
addition to winning the race, Hernandez was the second driver to join the
exclusive AMS Five Second Club, and also set the national record with a
blistering 5.912-second pass during eliminations.
"It was a pretty good
weekend,” Hernandez joked. “Right now, we're just working to keep things
consistent, though, and Howard [Moon, crew chief] has everything dialed in," he
said.
"Coming into Houston, the weather is hopefully going to be just as
good as it was Gainesville," Hernandez said. "We're looking for basically
sea-level conditions, so the performances could possibly be as good as or even
better than last race."
TESTED AND READY - Tim Tindle and the Tindle Enterprises GT 500 Mustang team successfully tested at
Gainesville Raceway following a surprise first round lost at the Gatornationals
last week and in preparation for the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals this weekend
at Houston Raceway Park.
According
to Tindle, the test session was successfully and he and team T.A.R.E.
(Tindle-Ashley Racing Enterprises) expect strong results this weekend, in the
second round of the 10-event 2007 NHRA AMS Promod Challenge, presented by Tindle
Enterprises.
"The test session was great," he said. The incrementals were really quick: 3.89 at the 1/8th mile. For testing purposes, Chuck Ford wanted to make 1/8th mile laps, but he gave in and allowed me to make a ¼ mile pass during the last lap: 6.004, 239 mph. "I feel that we are ready to take on Houston."
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