Menholt takes top spot as Pro Mod qualifying wraps at The Rock
By Rachael Everett
Image: Derek Menholt burn out at starting line
Derek Menholt topped Pro Mod qualifying at Rockingham Dragway with a 5.6317-second pass at 248.89 mph, securing the No. 1 spot for eliminations.
After finishing Q1 in 13th, Menholt improved across the next two sessions to take the lead in Q3, then held on to the top spot through the fourth and final session.
Joining Menholt in the top three were U.S. Nationals winner and reigning world champion J.R. Gray and three-time Pro Mod champion Rickie Smith, both bringing the experience and race-winning pedigree to challenge for victory at The Rock.
While Smith has the experience, he also has fellow nitrous racer Tony Wilson to contend with, with their rivalry adding another storyline to the weekend. Smith fired the opening verbal shots at Thursday night’s Nitro Fest, before either driver had hit the track. With qualifying complete, attention now turns to which of the two can go further in Sunday’s eliminations.
Mike Castellana was another driver who recovered from a difficult start. A lack of oil pressure at the tree prevented him from recording a time in Q1, but he fought back to qualify 12th.
Shane Gray continued his return to NHRA competition at Rockingham, taking another step in his transition from Pro Stock to Pro Mod with Elite Motorsports. The five-time Pro Stock winner, who stepped away from full-time driving after 2017 to support his sons’ racing careers, made his Pro Mod debut at Indianapolis earlier this month. After missing the cut there, Gray arrived at The Rock looking to build on that experience and secure a place in Sunday’s eliminations.
Championship leader Justin Bond recorded the highest speed of qualifying at 257.58 mph and is aiming to break the 260 mph barrier before the weekend is over.
Lyle Barnett endured a frustrating qualifying campaign, narrowly securing a place in the 16-car elimination field. Speaking to Courtney Enders after his fourth qualifying run, he said: “I’m not going to shy away from the fact that we’ve had a pretty disappointing weekend.”
Barnett faces another tough challenge on Sunday, with top qualifier Menholt his opponent in the first round of eliminations.
Jason Collins, Alex Laughlin and Doug Winters missed the qualifying cut, bringing their weekends to an early end, with Collins missing out by 0.013 seconds.
