Defending NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series world champion Rickie Smith raced to the qualifying lead Friday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Summit Motorsports Park is presented by The Real Pro Mod Association.
 
Smith powered his late model IDG nitrous-injected Camaro to a leading performance of 5.838 seconds at 246.98 mph. Smith, who earned his first victory of the season two weeks ago at Bristol Dragway, is looking for his first No. 1 of the season and fifth of his career.
 
Mike Janis was second in his supercharged Camaro with a 5.861 at 246.35 and Pete Farber was third in his Dodge Daytona with a5 5.868 at 247.93.
 
Series points leader Don Walsh was 16th after the first session, with a 6.030 at 248.75 and second place points sitter Bob Rahaim qualified 21st in his silver Corvette.
 
Two rounds of Pro Mod qualifying will be held Saturday at 2 and 4:15 p.m. before the first round of eliminations at 7 p.m.
 
Friday's results after the first one of three rounds of qualifying for the ninth annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park, sixth 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. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.838, 246.98; 2. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.861, 246.35; 3. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.868, 247.93; 4. Kevin Fiscus, Ford Mustang, 5.910, 247.52; 5. Mike Knowles, Mustang, 5.913, 242.50; 6. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 5.916, 241.71; 7. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.923, 244.69; 8. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, 5.953, 239.82; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Corvette, 5.963, 247.84; 10. Bill Glidden, Mustang, 5.964, 241.76; 11. Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.996, 247.84; 12. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS, 6.004, 242.76; 13. Mike Yedgarian, Pontiac Firebird, 6.015, 244.65; 14. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.017, 239.36; 15. Gerry Capano, Corvette, 6.018, 236.63; 16. Don Walsh, Camaro, 6.030, 248.75.  Not Qualified: 17. Michael Biehle, 6.258, 240.89; 18. Doug Winters, 7.184, 136.95; 19. Robert Patrick Jr., 7.283, 148.80; 20. Harold Martin, 8.750, 105.32; 21. Bob Rahaim, 9.064, 100.59; 22. Mike Castellana, 10.026, 87.78; 23. Danny Rowe, 10.609, 90.92; 24. Steve Matusek, 16.332, 47.93; 25. Jim Bell, 28.000, no speed; 26. Clint Satterfield, broke.