Jeremy Ray secured the preliminary No. 1 qualifying position Friday during the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service portion of the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing, presented by the Real Pro Mod Association, is the fifth of 12 events this season.

Ray ran a 5.804-second pass at 248.11 mph in the second qualifying session on Friday in his J4 Racing LLC ‘63 Corvette to take the initial top spot.

“It is hot today and I have made a lot of laps at this track running eighth-mile and it worked out today,” Ray said. “I didn’t get to shift into high gear in the first round but I finally got it to shift in the second round. Made a good solid run and hopefully it will stick for tomorrow.”

Danny Rowe is currently qualified second with a 5.809 pass at 251.34 and Khalid AlBalooshi settles in at third with a run of 5.828 at 249.58.

Ray is chasing his first career No. 1 qualifier and he currently sits 11th in the points standings.

E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service qualifying continues Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the Inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, fifth of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Pro Modified -- 1. Jeremy Ray, Chevy Corvette, 5.804, 248.11; 2. Danny Rowe, Chevy Camaro, 5.809, 251.34; 3. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.828, 249.58; 4. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.836, 248.71; 5. Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.840, 248.75; 6. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.843, 247.66; 7. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.843, 244.96; 8. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, 5.860, 252.61; 9. Chad Green, Camaro, 5.863, 248.66; 10. Rick Hord, Corvette, 5.869, 250.51; 11. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 5.881, 248.29; 12. Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.887, 245.32; 13. Sidnei Frigo, Corvette, 5.891, 251.77; 14. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Camar0, 5.901, 248.84; 15. Jose Gonzalez, Camaro, 5.906, 250.32; 16. Shane Molinari, Pontiac Firebird, 5.913, 252.24. Not Qualified: 17. Tommy Mauney, 5.921, 236.84; 18. Richie Stevens, 5.928, 246.08; 19. Todd Tutterow, 5.950, 235.19; 20. Clint Satterfield, 5.971, 248.84; 21. Chip King, 6.036, 242.19; 22. Chuck Little, 6.037, 240.21; 23. Brandon Snider, 6.157, 240.34; 24. Doug Winters, 6.567, 142.01; 25. Eric Latino, 6.617, 158.24; 26. Pete Farber, 9.471, 91.03; 27. Steven Whiteley, 10.095, 88.64.