Jose Gonzalez secured the No. 1 qualifying position Saturday during the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service portion of the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing, presented by Tige Boats, is the third of 12 events this season.

Gonzalez ran a 5.69-second pass at 257.78 mph in the second qualifying session on Friday to take the No. 1 position. This is his first career No. 1 qualifier at his second NHRA event.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Gonzalez stated. “Honestly, I didn’t think my run would hold. We were just focused on making consistent runs today because I think that consistency is what’s going to win this thing.”

Gonzalez will face-off against Danny Rowe in the first round of eliminations. Steve Jackson is qualified second with a 5.707 at 249.03 and Mike Castallana is qualified third.

E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service eliminations begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 31st annual NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway, the second of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Pro Modified -- 1. Jose Gonzalez, Chevy Camaro, 5.696, 257.78 vs. 16. Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, 5.831, 250.74; 2. Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.707, 249.53 vs. 15. Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.815, 253.09; 3. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.720, 252.71 vs. 14. Jim Whiteley, Camaro, 5.788, 247.97; 4. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.733, 248.61 vs. 13. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 5.787, 250.78; 5. Chad Green, Corvette, 5.746, 250.23 vs. 12. Rick Hord, Corvette, 5.785, 252.66; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.746, 251.02 vs. 11. Shane Molinari, Pontiac Firebird, 5.784, 255.97; 7. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.756, 251.58 vs. 10. Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.774, 248.16; 8. Jeremy Ray, Corvette, 5.761, 248.66 vs. 9. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 5.773, 250.41.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Sidnei Frigo, 5.837, 252.38; 18. Chip King, 5.847, 245.36; 19. Erica Enders, 5.866, 246.03; 20. Steve Matusek, 5.869, 246.66; 21. Richie Stevens, 5.892, 247.16; 22. Pete Farber, 5.894, 242.54; 23. Dan Stevenson, 5.912, 211.49; 24. Chuck Little, 5.918, 243.63; 25. Doug Winters, 5.919, 242.98; 26. Clint Satterfield, 5.972, 243.02; 27. Harry Hruska, 6.481, 237.96; 28. Brandon Snider, 9.147, 108.79.