NHRA Virginia Nationals fans witnessed the world ET record broken not once, but thrice today in last session qualifying and round-one action in the Get Screened America Pro Modified Challenge presented by ProCare Rx at Virginia Motorsports Park.  Brad Personett broke the previous record held by Raymond Commisso by blasting to a turbo-powered 5.843 at a monster 253.28 mph, only to have Rick Stivers barrel down the track with an unprecedented 5.837 to take the pole in qualifying. Stivers then proceeded to back up the number and surpass his mark in first-round eliminations with a 5.835-second shot.

Commisso, who had been the record-holder since Englishtown, said, "Records were made to be broken, but we'll see if we can do any work on that." Commisso ran a 5.843 in his first round victory over points leader Burton Auxier - a number that can be used as a backup if Commisso can pass Stivers Sunday and re-claim bragging rights.

NHRA Virginia Nationals fans witnessed the world ET record broken not once, but thrice today in last session qualifying and round-one action in the Get Screened America Pro Modified Challenge presented by ProCare Rx at Virginia Motorsports Park.  Brad Personett broke the previous record held by Raymond Commisso by blasting to a turbo-powered 5.843 at a monster 253.28 mph, only to have Rick Stivers barrel down the track with an unprecedented 5.837 to take the pole in qualifying. Stivers then proceeded to back up the number and surpass his mark in first-round eliminations with a 5.835-second shot.

Commisso, who had been the record-holder since Englishtown, said, "Records were made to be broken, but we'll see if we can do any work on that." Commisso ran a 5.843 in his first round victory over points leader Burton Auxier - a number that can be used as a backup if Commisso can pass Stivers Sunday and re-claim bragging rights.

Personett and Stivers weren't the only Pro Mod drivers setting records in Richmond. Dennis Radford clocked the quickest ET by a nitrous car at 5.924 at 237.13 mph during Saturday's final qualifying session to grab the No. 7 spot.  In all, 13 drivers ran 5.90's or quicker, with the top five cars in the 5.80-zone. Scott Ray held the bump spot with a 6.070.

Notably absent from the field was Colorado-racer Mike Knowles, who was hoping to break into the top eight and the Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash. Also failing to qualify were Kirk Kuhns, Adam Flamholc, Frank Patille and Rick DiStefano.

In first-round action, No. 5 qualifier Commisso took out Burton Auxier, the current points leader, giving both Roger Burgess and Danny Rowe a shot at ousting Auxier from the top spot. Burgess and Rowe were separated by only three points coming into the event.

Rowe qualified No. 10 and advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating the No. 7 qualifier Dennis Radford.  Radford, who clocked the quickest ET for a nitrous car ever in last session of qualifying, smoked the tires and ran 11.733 at 87.28.

Joe Baker was No. 15 after qualifying and faced off against No. 2 qualifier Brad Personett in the B&J Transmissions $500 Bonus round. Baker upset Personett with a holeshot, 5.873 at 244.34 to 5.866 at 249.49,
 to win the round and the extra cash.

Jay Payne also advanced with a holeshot victory over No. 14 qualifier Chip King  6.019 at 242.84 to a 6.007 at 240.25.

In round-two action scheduled for Sunday afternoon, teammates Commisso and Melanie Troxel face off for bragging rights, while Stivers will race Tim Tindle with the possibility of jumping ahead of him in the standings and into the Matco Clash. Baker and Rowe will go head to head and Roger Burgess will attempt to pass Auxier in the points standings by taking on former World Champion Jay Payne.

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