PATIENCE AND CONSISTENCY KEYS TO WINNING MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY AUTO-PLUS FOR NHRA PRO MOD TEAMS

When a drag racer looks back on his or her career and their list of accomplishments, they look to see championships won, race trophies they’ve amassed and above everything is how many Mac Tools U. S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus victories they earned. The racers in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx love to count their Indy Wally trophies just as much as any driver in any other class, and when the event takes place from Aug. 29-Sept.3 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis they will all be battling for the top spot on Monday afternoon.

               

Current points leader Rickie Smith won the Mac Tools U. S. Nationals in Pro Mod when the series was an exhibition category in 2003. Smith has many championships from other drag racing organizations under his belt, but counts his win in Indy as the highpoint of his career.

               

“This is Indy, and this is like Daytona for the NASCAR guys, this is our big race,” said Smith, who drives a 2012 Camaro. “Everybody is trying to do the best they can because this is one you want to win. We have been lucky enough to win it five years ago. You just come up here and do all that you can.”

               

Danny Rowe, driver of the Sterling Bridge ’67 Camaro, a two time runner-up at the event (2001, 2009) is still looking for that elusive first win at the Big Go and knows where this race stacks up compared to all the others.

               

“Well I think mostly that it’s so historic,” Rowe said. “I think that every drag racer has a dream of winning one race, and it’s the U.S. Nationals. It’s a race that everybody that’s ever been in a drag race of any kind dreams of winning. Just because the history of it, the quality of the cars, the teams and it’s a fantastic place to race.”

               

While this race is the most coveted race on the circuit, it still pays the same amount of points to win. Rowe currently trails Smith by just three points with only a handful of races left on the 2012 season schedule. While winning is desired, keeping pace in the championship points is also a focus for both racers.

               

“We only have four races left for our championship in Pro Mod so every one of them is real critical,” Smith continued. “You can lose in the first round and the guy in second wins and then you get pretty behind in points. There are about four of us who are pretty tight in the points right now and every race is real critical.” 

               

“You know, you get more excited coming in,” Rowe said. “It’s a race that everyone, no matter what they say, they might try to say they don’t get overly excited or try harder, or whatever else, but it’s a valuable race. Whether you are in the points race or not, it’s still a feather in your cap to have said you’ve won Indy. So, I think that everyone comes in here looking to do a big job, no matter where you’re at in the points race.”

               

Among many of the unique features of the Mac Tools U. S. Nationals is the length of the event for all the competitors and the extra qualifying session the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx will have during the course of the weekend. This can make for increased time in the car, so drivers must maintain their focus during the entire event.

               

“For me it’s a little bit tougher, personally,” Rowe said. “I’m a pretty hyperactive guy and I don’t sit around a lot. So, to come in to qualify and make one lap, it’s a long day for me. But, everybody has to do the same thing. We’re all going through it, so it’s hard on everybody. But, I love being in the atmosphere, so I spend the down time with the crowds and with the fans, and I’m looking at the cars just like everybody else is.”

               

“The extra qualifier we get is pretty nice to have,” Troy Coughlin, driver of the JEGS.com ’68 Camaro said. “We will prepare for this Indy similar to all the races on the tour, making sure we cross our t’s and dot our i’s It’s going to be a good time.”

               

“Being organized is key to having a smooth sailing Mac Tools U.S. Nationals,” said Leah Pruett, who will be behind the wheel of her ProCare Rx ’12 Mustang.  “When you wear a couple different hats and a helmet within a team, the week can seem extremely long. I now live in Avon, just a few minutes from the track, which should be more convenient. Quite honestly I think a fourth qualifying run should bring with it a little more confidence to both myself and crew chief Brad Brand. I feel like this year we are always one run shy of what we need to get where we want to be, and I think the extra track time will do nothing but help us bring out our A+ game.”

               

Memories abound at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, and all of these racers have special moments that set this event apart from all the others.

               

“2011 was actually my first time competing at the U.S. Nationals, and it was with R2B2 in the blown Camaro, and I did not qualify for the field,” Pruett continued. “It was my first DNQ, needless to say there is a lot of redemption to be had at this year’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. I was nine years old the first time I competed at this racetrack, for the Jr. Dragster Nationals. The next time I returned to the track in 2009, I was making my first hit ever in a Nitro Funny Car in Gary Scelzi's DSR car during the pre-Indy test session.  This race track has always dished out some pretty spectacular memories for me, some better than others, but still unbelievable.”

               

“Pretty cool as a kid growing up going to Indy for the Big Go as a family,” Coughlin said. “As a family we have had great success at Indy. When one of our family members wins Indy, we all win Indy. We all support each other so much on and off the track. As kids we all dreamed of racing at Indy and winning the Mac Tools U. S. Nationals. We have had some great Mac Tools U.S. Nationals wins and they are all special. The one that sticks out the most would be Troy Jr.’s win in Super Comp in 2010. It’s so rewarding seeing your kids do well at something and excel.”

               

Other top drivers expected to compete in the event will be Mike Castellana, Jay Payne and Don Walsh.

Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’63 Corvettes, ’68 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs and ’68 Firebirds as well as late-model cars, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.

• SCHEDULE: NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx qualifying sessions are scheduled for Aug. 31 at 4:30 p. m., Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. The first round of eliminations begins on Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.. Eliminations continue on Sept. 3.

• TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-6472. Tickets also available online at www.NHRATix.com.

• ON THE WEB: Get live timing, scoring, multimedia and the latest news updates from every NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx event at www.NHRA.com. Visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

NHRA announces Mellow Yellow as title sponsor in 2013

The NHRA has announced today that a six-year agreement for Mello Yello to replace Full Throttle as its title sponsor, starting in 2013. The deal through 2018 will extend Coca-Cola's title-sponsor partnership with the NHRA Drag Racing Series to 17 years. 

Let the "Cole Trickle" jokes start here...

VETERAN RICKIE SMITH MAKES FULL COMEBACK TO WIN THE PRO MOD SERIES AT FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS

Veteran Rickie Smith earned a very emotional and gratifying NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx victory Sunday at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway.

Last season at Bristol Dragway Smith suffered a spectacular crash that caused him to take a hiatus from the sport due to a knee injury but the veteran driver came back to Bristol with on a mission, claiming the No.1 qualifying position and earning his second win of the season.  Smith and his IDG Camaro’s 6.055 second pass at 241.24 mph beat Donald Walsh’s 7.393 second pass at 171.99 mph in the final round of eliminations.

Smith also beat veteran driver Jay Payne in the semifinals, Mike Knowles in the quarterfinals and Doug Winters in the opening round of eliminations.

With Smith’s win, it moves him into second place in the championship point standings.

***

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway.  The race is the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx.

PRO MODIFIED: 1.  Rickie Smith; 2.  Donald Walsh; 3.  Mike Janis; 4.  Jay Payne; 5.  Troy Coughlin; 6.  Mike Castellana; 7.  Scott Ray; 8.  Mike Knowles; 9.  Roger Burgess; 10.  Pete Farber; 11.  Rick Stivers; 12.  Kenny Lang; 13.  Doug Winters; 14.  Leah Pruett; 15.  Donald Martin; 16.  Danny Rowe.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Sunday's final results from the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway. The race is the fifth of 10 in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx:

Pro Modified -- Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 6.055, 241.24  def. Donald Walsh, ford Mustang, 7.393, 171.99.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Final round-by-round results from the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx:

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Scott Ray, Chevy Corvette, 6.329, 226.70 def. Rick Stivers, Chevy Camaro, foul; Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.079, 247.75 def. Kenny Lang, Camaro, 6.164, 223.32; Mike Knowles, Camaro, 6.721, 227.80 def. Leah Pruett, Ford Mustang, 8.270, 116.28; Donald Walsh, ford Mustang, 5.977, 250.13 def. Donald Martin, Camaro, 11.901, 73.97; Mike Janis, Mustang, 6.019, 240.81 def. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, foul; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.009, 239.02 def. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 6.078, 247.88; Jay Payne, Camaro, 6.094, 238.72 def. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 13.984, 66.70; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.966, 239.82 def. Doug Winters, Chevy Bel Air, 6.709, 163.24; QUARTERFINALS -- Payne, 7.991, 121.04 def. Ray, foul; Janis, 5.935, 242.45 def. Coughlin, 5.893, 250.97; Walsh, 5.926, 250.83 def. Castellana, 7.362, 135.95; Smith, 8.183, 117.43 def. Knowles, foul; SEMIFINALS -- Smith, 5.888, 242.41 def. Payne, 6.029, 239.48; Walsh, 5.978, 251.58 def. Janis, 5.999, 241.45; FINAL -- Smith, 6.055, 241.24 def. Walsh, 7.393, 171.99.

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx -

Pro Modified

1.  Danny Rowe, 376; 2.  Rickie Smith, 363; 3.  Mike Castellana, 357; 4.  Leah Pruett, 282; 5. Donald Walsh, 278; 6.  Troy Coughlin, 277; 7.  (tie) Kenny Lang, 250; Donald Martin, 250; 9.  Pete Farber, 238; 10.  Steve Matusek, 213

After promising start, Pruett throttled by faulty throttle in Bristol

Leah Pruett and her ProCare Rx Pro Mod team had their swagger back at Bristol Dragway for the 12th annual running of the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, but a rare parts failure ended her weekend much sooner than expected.

Pruett qualified No. 8 with a pass of 6.005 seconds at 251.02 mph in her turbocharged Ford Mustang before falling in the first round with a broken throttle body.

"It's disappointing, for sure," Pruett said. "I was really working on my lights, cutting some .040s, and I felt like I was back in the game. I don't know, the stars aren't quite lining up like we'd like them to. We definitely need to take a more focused look on our inventory and make sure everything we have is completely spot-on and ready to go in the car. The guys do that already, but it was a five-minute fix that caused the problem.

"That happens to everybody, and it happened to us. But I have no doubt that both Roger (Burgess, team owner/driver) and my cars will be in top shape, and we'll be ready to take on everybody in Norwalk."

R2B2 Racing teammate Burgess qualified No. 11 before falling in a close matchup with Mike Castellana in the first round. Castellana went 6.009 at 239.02 mph to beat Burgess' 6.078 at 247.88 mph.

Pruett, meanwhile, came to Bristol off a No. 2 qualifier in Englishtown, hoping to continue the solid performance.

"We had some good momentum coming into this weekend," Pruett said. "We had some good juju and positive attitudes. The car was running well."

Pruett made her best qualifying pass in the heat of the day in Saturday's Q3.

"It definitely ran a good number in Q3 in the heat, and then we had some parts failure during that run," Pruett said. "The guys went into a thrash and got it ready for E1."

As they were about to head out for the first round of eliminations, the crew found a problem atop the engine.

"We found out right at the very last minute that the throttle body was broke, and that's why we were having idle problems," Pruett said. "We switched that out and were real late to the line, but we thought everything was ready to go."

The engine, however, wasn't running well.

"The car barely turns over and runs, and I'm doing everything I can to keep it alive with the throttle just to maintain the throttle," Pruett said. "From there on out, it just went downhill real fast. With the throttle body breaking, it starting closing all on its own, no matter how much throttle I gave it.

"I'm spooled up with the throttle all the way to the floor, but when I left, it was only at 30 percent compared to 100 percent, which is what we needed."

The balky throttle body caused Pruett to leave with a .310-second reaction time, but Lang smoke the tires down the track.

"I left, and it just fell on its face," Pruett said. "I didn't know what happened. Then I saw Knowles smoking the tires, and I think, 'Oh, we're going to get him. This turbocharged car is going to hunt it down.' Then it was like someone just tied a ton of bricks to the back of the car, and it just stopped. I couldn't even get it into third gear.

"By the time I got to half-track, the throttle just completely shut on its own, even though I've got it mashed to the floor."

With that, her day was done.

Pruett and the ProCare Rx team race next in the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio on July 6-8.

VETERAN RICKIE SMITH LEADS QUALIFYING AND ADVANCES TO QUARTER-FINALS IN PRO MOD SERIES AT FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS

Veteran Rickie Smith powered his IDG ’12 Camaro to No. 1 qualifying position and advanced past the No. 16 qualifier in the first round of eliminations 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 Saturday at Bristol Dragway.

Smith ran two mid 5.9-second range qualifying passes, but his 5.900 second pass at 240.85 mph Friday night earned him the qualifying lead heading into Saturday afternoon’s eliminations. Smith’s 5.966 second pass at 239.82 mph pass was too much for the No. 16 qualifier Doug Winters’ Chevy Bel Air’s 6.709 second pass at 163.24 mph. in the opening round of eliminations Saturday. Smith will face Mike Knowles in the second round Sunday afternoon and Smith will have lane choice.

The most recent Pro Mod winner and No. 2 qualifier Troy Coughlin, in his JEGS.com Chevy Camaro, outran Kenny Lang in a close opening round match-up, 6.079 seconds at 247.75 to Lang’s 6.164 seconds at 223.32 mph. The No. 3 qualifier Donald Martin and No. 5 qualifier and 2012 race winner Danny Rowe both were upset in the first round of eliminations Saturday.  

Pro Mod eliminations continue Sunday at approximately 3:30 p.m.

***

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- First round-by-round results from the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway, the fifth of ten events in the  NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx:

ROUND ONE -- Scott Ray, Chevy Corvette, 6.329, 226.70 def. Rick Stivers, Chevy Camaro, foul; Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.079, 247.75 def. Kenny Lang, Camaro, 6.164, 223.32; Mike Knowles, Camaro, 6.721, 227.80 def. Leah Pruett, Ford Mustang, 8.270, 116.28; Donald Walsh, ford Mustang, 5.977, 250.13 def. Donald Martin, Camaro, 11.901, 73.97; Mike Janis, Mustang, 6.019, 240.81 def. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, foul; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.009, 239.02 def. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 6.078, 247.88; Jay Payne, Camaro, 6.094, 238.72 def. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 13.984, 66.70; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.966, 239.82 def. Doug Winters, Chevy Bel Air, 6.709, 163.24;

NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx final order after 3 rounds of qualifying at the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers:

Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd

  1   43 Rickie Smith, King NC, '12 Camaro               5.900  240.85  240.85

  2   24 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, t'68 Camaro         5.951  251.06  251.06

  3  770 Donald Martin, Lake Forest CA, *'68 Camaro      5.955  242.67  242.80

  4  213 Chip King, Southport NC, t'69 Daytona           5.967  246.89  246.89

  5    2 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, *'68 Camaro        5.971  242.28  242.28

  6 1794 Mike Castellana, Muttontown NY, '69 Camaro      5.974  238.01  239.19

  7 1456 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '10 Mustang           5.993  241.76  241.76

  8  777 Leah Pruett, Cherry Valley CA, t'12 Mustang     6.005  251.02  251.02

  9 5011 Mike Knowles, Grand Junction CO, *'68 Camaro    6.025  240.42  240.42

10 1518 Pete Farber, Baldwinville MA, *'69 Daytona      6.025  240.17  240.17

11  272 Roger Burgess, Duluth GA, '53 Corvette          6.050  247.38  247.38

12    9 Jay Payne, Ontario CA, '12 Camaro               6.093  238.60  238.60

13  314 Rick Stivers, Lexington KY, '69 Camaro          6.110  233.96  233.96

14 3382 Donald Walsh, Wixom MI, t'11 Mustang            6.119  247.20  247.20

15    4 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, '69 Camaro        6.167  236.67  236.67

16 2105 Doug Winters, Kernersville NC, '57 Bel Air      6.455  217.25  217.25

BROWN, TASCA AND JOHNSON QUALIFY NO. 1 AT FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS AT BRISTOL

Friday’s qualifying leaders, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca (Funny Car) and Tennessee native Allen Johnson (Pro Stock), secured the No. 1 qualifying spots Saturday at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway.

Brown set both ends of the Top Fuel track record in his Aaron’s dragster with a 3.814 second pass at 323.12 mph during his second qualifying attempt Friday night under the lights at Bristol Dragway. Brown posted one of the quickest runs of the day – a 3.843 second pass in Saturday’s hot conditions -- but no one was able to beat his Friday night run and he remained No. 1 for the second of the season and 31st of his career.

“That last session, the way the track temp was, that’s what we’re going to see a lot of tomorrow, so we felt real good to run well,” Brown said. “We were trying to run like an.86 first lap today. That didn’t work out, but we got it back together and got that Aaron’s Lucky Dog car down there. I was very, very pleased with the run. It gives you a lot of confidence for tomorrow. The car responded well. It lifted the front end up, hiked it up. It feels good when you go into tomorrow, race day, with the same conditions that you had in that last session, and it was a great run”

Brown will match up against Pat Dakin and his Mark Industries dragster, the No. 16 qualifier, in the opening round of eliminations Sunday.

The surprise of the day was when Morgan Lucas’ GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster failed to make the 16-car field during Saturday’s hot conditions. Lucas has been one of the hottest drivers this season thanks to two wins and four No. 1 qualifying positions, which has placed him fourth in the championship point standings. Lucas’ Morgan Lucas Racing teammate Brandon Bernstein, who has two wins at the track and who was the runner-up at the most recent Full Throttle event in Englishtown, also failed to qualify for Sunday’s eliminations.

“A lot of people don’t understand how tough this class is, how tough Top Fuel is right now,” Brown said. “This class is as tough as the class has ever been. You have to hit it right in the right spot to make these cars perform on this racetrack.”

Tasca’s Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Ford Mustang Friday night run of 4.063 seconds at 310.48 mph earned the provisional No. 1 spot heading into Saturday and no one was able to better Tasca’s effort during Saturday’s hot conditions. This is Tasca’s second consecutive No. 1 at Bristol, and third of his career.

“I’m an all-Ford kid, driving an all-Ford hot rod, qualified No. 1 at the all-Ford race, so that’s a cool deal, and hopefully we can win this thing for Ford,” Tasca said. “First round is going to be real good, then it’s going to warm up, and you’re going to have to learn how to pull the car back. We really wanted to go down that last run, but the data we have is good data. We know what we have to do to make it go A to B in the heat.”

Tasca will face rookie Blake Alexander and his Gates Chevy Monte Carlo in the opening round of eliminations Sunday.

The story was the same in Pro Stock as local favorite Allen Johnson’s track record 6.623 second pass at 207.75 mph from Friday night remained atop the qualifying order at the end of Saturday’s two qualifying sessions. This is Johnson’s third consecutive No. 1 at this event, fourth of the season and 22nd of his career.

“We feel like we’ve won the battle [by qualifying No. 1] and now we’ve got to win the war during Sunday’s eliminations,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a very, very consistent race car now with very good people making very good decisions. Now the driver just has to do his job tomorrow.”

Johnson will race Shane Gray and his brand new NTB Chevy Camaro Sunday morning in the first round of eliminations.

Sunday’s eliminations start at noon ET.

***

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway, the tenth of

23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel -- 1. Antron Brown, 3.814 seconds, 323.12 mph  vs. 16. Scott Palmer, 4.045, 299.33; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.822, 320.66  vs. 15. Dom Lagana, 4.019, 302.28; 3. Terry McMillen, 3.823, 315.27  vs. 14. Cory McClenathan, 3.927, 307.79; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.835, 321.81  vs. 13. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.920, 314.24; 5. Hillary Will, 3.837, 308.35  vs. 12. Bruce Litton, 3.881, 309.34; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.840, 318.02  vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.870, 314.61; 7. Spencer Massey, 3.844, 321.58  vs. 10. David Grubnic, 3.856, 316.30; 8. Bob Vandergriff, 3.855, 319.07  vs. 9. Shawn Langdon, 3.855, 316.08. Did Not Qualify: 17. Pat Dakin, 4.160, 291.19; 18. Brandon Bernstein, 4.221, 298.93; 19. Chris Karamesines, 4.320, 245.27; 20. Morgan Lucas, 4.778, 303.78; 21. Ike Maier, 5.712, 173.25.

Funny Car -- 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.063, 310.48  vs. 16. Blake Alexander, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.188, 301.67; 2. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.072, 310.70  vs. 15. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 4.156, 304.53; 3. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.077, 310.13  vs. 14. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.131, 302.75; 4. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.091, 306.40  vs. 13. Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.131, 304.60; 5. John Force, Mustang, 4.094, 312.71  vs. 12. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.130, 306.26; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.096, 307.79  vs. 11. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.128, 304.19; 7. Jeff Arend, Camry, 4.110, 309.63  vs. 10. Jim Head, Toyota Solara, 4.128, 305.49; 8. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.120, 309.56  vs. 9. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.124, 304.12. Did Not Qualify: 17. Todd Lesenko, 4.289, 282.78; 18. Bob Bode, 5.617, 290.76.

Pro Stock -- 1. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.623, 207.78  vs. 16. Shane Gray, Chevy Camaro, 6.746, 204.66; 2. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.641, 207.27  vs. 15. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.744, 205.22; 3. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.659, 207.43  vs. 14. Kurt Johnson, GXP, 6.708, 205.26; 4. Jason Line, GXP, 6.662, 206.95  vs. 13. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.700, 205.47; 5. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.673, 206.26  vs. 12. Ron Krisher, GXP, 6.698, 206.16; 6. Rodger Brogdon, GXP, 6.678, 206.04  vs. 11. Erica Enders, Chevy Cobalt, 6.696, 206.23; 7. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.680, 206.32  vs. 10. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.693, 206.16; 8. Ronnie Humphrey, GXP, 6.680, 206.01  vs. 9. JR Carr, ford Mustang, 6.692, 204.48. Did Not Qualify: 17. Grace Howell, 6.755, 203.40

Payne to salute fallen Tennessee firefighter at Bristol drag race

Jay Payne and the supercharged FireIce Ford Mustang is rolling into the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals this weekend looking for a little more horsepower and a few more round wins in the NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by ProCare Rx.

"We've had some good runs at times in the Pro Mod car," Payne said. "We've just not been able to put it all together yet. The competition in the class is pretty stiff, but with a little consistency, we think we've got a car that can contend for a win this weekend."

Payne and sponsor FireIce are continuing their mission to honor America's 1.1 million firefighters and support causes such as the Leary Firefighters Foundation (www.learyfirefighters.org), Angel Faces (www.angelfacesretreat.org) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (www.firehero.org).

This weekend, Payne and the FireIce team also are saluting Decaturville, Tenn., Fire Chief Kenny Fox, who sacrificed his own life in the line of duty in April to save the lives of two firefighters under his command. 

Fox pushed the two firefighters out of the way of a collapsing roof while fighting a fire at a restaurant. In doing so, Fox became trapped by the debris and did not survive.

"That is the kind of sacrifice firefighters make for one another every day in this country," Payne said. "This gentleman was a husband, father and officer of the law as well as a firefighter. Chief Fox was a man who protected his community, and I'm proud we're able to honor his sacrifice in this small way this weekend."

GelTech Solutions, the publically-traded parent company of FireIce, creates innovative, Earth-friendly, cost-effective products that help industry, agriculture and the general public achieve environmental and safety goals such as water conservation and protecting lives, homes and property from fires. All the products currently marketed by GelTech Solutions were invented by chief technology officer Peter Cordani.

There will be two NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by ProCare Rx qualifying sessions on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. EDT from Bristol Dragway. There will be one more chance to get into the field at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Eliminations begin later Saturday afternoon and conclude on Sunday.