Troy Coughlin maintained the qualifying lead for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. This weekend’s Pro Mod Racing, presented by Aquaball, is the sixth of 12 events this season.

Coughlin’s pass of 5.772-seconds at a speed of 257.53 mph from Friday’s qualifying session held up on Saturday to secure lane choice Saturday afternoon. He defeated Jonathan Gray in the first round of eliminations with a pass of 5.788 at 256.55.

“It's pretty exciting to be that competitive again,” Coughlin said. “From not qualifying in Atlanta to a tough first round in Topeka, it's good to come back and come out swinging from the start, which is kind of nice. To be able to hold on to No. 1 qualifying spot in the J&A Series is a big feat. It's always been difficult, but it's getting tougher and tougher.”

Shane Molinari, the No. 2 qualifier, also advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Mike Janis. Molinari’s pass of 5.818 at 234.61 was too fast for Janis’ pass at 8.947 at 109.81.  Molinari will be pitted against Rickie Smith in the second round.

Smith moved into first after Eric Latino gave away the win at the start of the run when he red-lit. He had a pass of 7.899 at 121.65.

J&A Pro Mod Series eliminations continue Sunday at approximately 12:45 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

First round results from the 48th NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, the sixth of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Khalid alBalooshi, Chevy Camaro, 5.853, 248.48 def. Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, 9.786, 110.15; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 7.899, 121.65 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, Foul - Red Light; Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.788, 256.55 def. Jonathan Gray, Camaro, 5.873, 240.38; Shane Molinari, Pontiac Firebird, 5.818, 234.61 def. Mike Janis, Camaro, 8.947, 109.81; Steve Jackson, Camaro, 6.299, 157.67 def. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 9.088, 104.59; Sidnei Frigo, Corvette, 7.087, 152.18 def. Shannon Jenkins, Ford Mustang, 8.936, 103.28; Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 5.822, 250.37 def.
Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.854, 249.72; Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.852, 250.60 def. Carl Stevens, Camaro, 9.073, 111.08;

Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, 48th NHRA Summernationals, the sixth of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd

  1    2 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, '15 Corvette       5.772  257.53  257.53
  2 6718 Shane Molinari, Battle Ground WA, '68 Firebird 5.781  258.42  258.42
  3 5200 Steven Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '14 CTS-V  5.795  251.72  251.72
  4    3 Bob Rahaim, Grosse Pointe MI, '14 Camaro       5.796  249.86  249.86
  5 1283 Carl Stevens, N. Haledon NJ, '69 Camaro        5.813  254.33  257.97
  6   77 Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa AL, '16 Mustang    5.817  248.48  248.48
  7 1938 Eric Latino, Port Perry ON, '69 Camaro         5.822  251.91  251.91
  8    7 Khalid alBalooshi, Dubai UA, '17 Camaro        5.827  249.30  249.30
  9    8 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, '15 Corvette      5.827  249.07  249.07
 10    1 Rickie Smith, King NC, '17 Camaro              5.832  249.86  249.86
 11  288 Sidnei Frigo, Sao Paulo BZ, '16 Corvette       5.841  253.56  253.56
 12    5 Steve Matusek, Olathe KS, '68 Camaro           5.847  250.97  251.02
 13  280 Steve Jackson, Evans GA, '17 Camaro            5.851  247.75  247.75
 14   44 Mike Castellana, Oyster Bay NY, '17 Camaro     5.858  250.18  250.18
 15 1456 Mike Janis, Lancaster NY, '16 Camaro           5.863  245.58  245.58
 16   13 Jonathan Gray, Artesia NM, '17 Camaro          5.877  249.63  249.63

       ------------ Not Qualified ------------

 17    4 Michael Biehle, North Vernon IN, '67 Mustang   5.897  253.42  253.42
 18 5087 Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '69 Camaro    5.910  246.93  246.93
 19  357 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '17 Camaro            5.913  249.53  249.53
 20 1262 Chuck Little, Atkinson NH, '63 Corvette        5.917  245.94  245.94
 21 1518 Pete Farber, Baldwinville MA, '69 Daytona      5.989  249.95  249.95
 22  111 Dean Marinis, Whitestone NY, '15 Corvette      6.001  235.31  235.31
 23 2105 Doug Winters, Pleasant Garden NC, '69 Chevelle 6.013  236.13  238.22
 24  325 Harry Hruska, Hebron IN, '14 Camaro            6.329  218.30  218.30
 25  701 Clint Satterfield, Albuquerque NM, '68 Firebi  7.199  148.76  148.76