R2B2 Racing teammates Roger Burgess and Raymond Commisso delivered stellar performances in the first day of qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment Inaugural IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals at State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge, La.
 
After a disappointing first round for both drivers, Commisso blasted to the provisional No. 1 spot and earned the Last Man Standing award. His 5.993/245.09 will re-set the IHRA Pro Mod speed record should he be able to back it up. Burgess grabbed the provisional No. 4 position on the strength of his 6.116/237.25 second-round pass. R2B2 Racing teammates Roger Burgess and Raymond Commisso delivered stellar performances in the first day of qualifying at the Summit Racing Equipment Inaugural IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals at State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge, La.
 
After a disappointing first round for both drivers, Commisso blasted to the provisional No. 1 spot and earned the Last Man Standing award. His 5.993/245.09 will re-set the IHRA Pro Mod speed record should he be able to back it up. Burgess grabbed the provisional No. 4 position on the strength of his 6.116/237.25 second-round pass.
 
"Once we got the track figured out, we really got a hold of it," Commisso said. "The first lap we struggled, but Al [Billes, crew chief] made a coupe of changes with our set-up and it was nearly perfect from there."
 
Burgess added, "We're getting comfortable as a team and things are really working well. Raymond obviously had a great run, and I'm very pleased with the baseline I was able to set. We'll come out Saturday looking to improve with both cars as we head into eliminations on Sunday."
 
The two remaining qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and eliminations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday March 8.