Bob Rahaim powered to the qualifying lead Friday in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at Bristol Dragway is presented by the Real Pro Mod Association. This is the fifth of 10 Pro Mod events on the 2016 season.

Rahaim, who has one No. 1 qualifier in his career, pushed his late model TLC Waste Disposal Services Chevy Corvette to a 5.796-second pass at 246.48 mph to take the qualifying lead. Rahaim has one victory and one runner-up finish in his career.  

Troy Coughlin, a two-time and defending world champion, raced to the No. 2 spot with a 5.831 at 251.44 in his late model JEGS Mail Order Chevy Corvette. Coughlin is coming off a victory last weekend in Englishtown, N.J.

In third is Mike Castellana with a 5.886 at 244.52 in his ’69 Chevy Camaro. Castellana was followed by Michael Biehle in fourth.

Rickie Smith, a two-time Pro Mod world champion with two victories so far this season, is fifth. Smith won at Thunder Valley last year and also in 2013.

The final qualifying session for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will be held Saturday, June 18, at 12:15 p.m. Round one of eliminations is later on Saturday at 2:45 p.m.

 
Friday's results after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, fifth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Saturday's first round of eliminations.
 

Pro Modified -- 1. Bob Rahaim, Chevy Corvette, 5.796, 246.48; 2. Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.831, 251.72; 3. Mike Castellana, Corvette, 5.886, 244.52; 4. Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.890, 251.06; 5. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.893, 245.36; 6. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 5.899, 241.80; 7. Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.908, 244.43; 8. Von Smith, Corvette, 5.917, 243.28; 9. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.937, 241.24; 10. Danny Rowe, Corvette, 5.949, 243.06; 11. Dan Stevenson, Camaro, 5.980, 252.05; 12. Jim Whiteley, Chevy Chevelle, 5.993, 241.45; 13. Mike Knowles, Mustang, 6.018, 237.59; 14. Gerry Capano, Corvette, 6.030, 237.25; 15. Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 6.047, 239.82; 16. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 6.049, 241.07.  Not Qualified: 17. Doug Winters, 6.054, 237.00; 18. Pete Farber, 6.070, 239.65; 19. Jim Bell, 6.072, 217.74; 20. Clint Satterfield, 6.103, 241.37; 21. Kenny Lang, 6.128, 238.51; 22. Chuck Little, 7.247, 146.30; 23. Bill Glidden, 7.453, 130.62.