J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series racer Rickie Smith powered to a first round victory on Saturday during the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Carolina Nationals. This weekend’s Pro Mod racing at zMAX Dragway is presented by the Real Pro Mod (RPM) Association.

Smith, the current points leader and a three-time series champion, defeated Jay Payne with a pass of 5.847 at 249.67 to the trailing run of 5.954 at 245.40. Smith will face Mike Castellana when racing resumes on Sunday.

Smith’s bid for a fourth championship improved when Castellana defeated Troy Coughlin, Smith’s nearest competitor in the points in the opening round. Castellana ousted Coughlin with a winning run of 5.861 at 246.84. Smith is looking for continued success on Sunday to aide his championship aspirations.

"I'm just racing as hard as I can right now and let stuff fall where they fall,” said Smith. “Naturally, I want to win; I want [Troy Coughlin] to lose. That worked out. I don't want anybody to tear up or anything. The biggest thing is I'm just trying to win rounds now. The more rounds I can get ahead of him the better."

In an upset, Von Smith who qualified No. 1, was defeated by the 16th qualifier, Kevin Rivenbark who is making his second start of the year. Smith was defeated at the step of the throttle when his car lost traction. Rivenbark posted a time of 5.952 at 241.76. He will face Bob Rahaim on Sunday in the second round.

Second round matchups will also include Steve Matusek vs. Danny Rowe and Steven Whitely vs. Todd Tutterow.

Eliminations for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the NHRA Carolina National will continue at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday.

First round results from the ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway, the eighth of 10 events in the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

ROUND ONE -- Danny Rowe, Chevy Corvette, 5.890, 247.88 def. Michael Biehle, Ford Mustang, 5.904, 253.66; Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.847, 249.67 def. Jay Payne, Camaro, 5.954, 245.40; Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.902, 248.80 def. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 14.212, 59.60; Kevin Rivenbark, Corvette, 5.952, 241.76 def. Von Smith, Corvette, 9.280, 104.81; Mike Castellana, Corvette, 5.861,

246.84 def. Troy Coughlin, Corvette, 5.874, 252.19; Bob Rahaim, Corvette, 5.900, 246.57 def. Chip King, Dodge Charger, Foul - Red Light; Steven Whiteley, Cadillac CTS-V, 5.918, 247.02 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.255, 204.45; Todd Tutterow, Camaro, 5.888, 244.43 def. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.896, 248.25.

Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Pro Modified at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals:

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

  1 2377 Von Smith, Kingston TN, '16 Corvette           5.820  248.29

  2    4 Rickie Smith, King NC, '15 Camaro              5.830  250.00

  3 5200 Steven Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '14 CTS-V  5.840  248.07

  4 5450 Steve Matusek, Olathe KS, '68 Camaro           5.841  249.26

  5    7 Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills CA, '16 Corvette      5.857  247.29

  6  327 Khalid alBalooshi, Marina Del Ray QA, '68 Cam  5.860  247.70

  7    1 Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, '15 Corvette       5.865  252.80

  8  360 Bob Rahaim, Grosse Pointe MI, '15 Corvette     5.876  244.47

  9  213 Chip King, Roxboro NC, '70 Charger             5.883  244.56

 10   44 Mike Castellana, Muttontown NY, '15 Corvette   5.889  244.21

 11  202 Todd Tutterow, Yadkinville NC, '69 Camaro      5.895  243.63

 12  318 Michael Biehle, North Vernon IN, '67 Mustang   5.903  251.58

 13   10 Pete Farber, Baldwinville MA, '69 Daytona      5.907  246.57

 14   11 Eric Latino, Whitby ON, '69 Camaro             5.926  246.08

 15  210 Jay Payne, Ontario CA, '14 Camaro              5.943  245.00

 16  205 Kevin Rivenbark, Wallace NC, '15 Corvette      5.950  241.24

 

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

 

 17 2133 Jonathan Gray, Artesia NM, '07 GTO             5.963  251.58

 18  262 Robert Patrick Jr., Fredricksburg VA, '14 Must 5.975  242.98

 19 5087 Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, '69 Chevelle  5.987  242.71

 20 1262 Chuck Little, Atkinson NH, '63 Corvette        6.001  242.06

 21 5011 Mike Knowles, Grand Junction CO, '67 Mustang   6.011  238.93

 22 5012 Kenny Lang, Grande Pointe MB, '69 Camaro       6.026  241.93

 23  701 Clint Satterfield, Albuquerque NM, '68 Firebi  6.050  242.84

 24 6718 Shane Molinari, Battle Ground WA, '68 Firebird 6.175  247.88

 25 2105 Doug Winters, Pleasant Garden NC, '69 Chevelle 6.194  237.00

 26    6 Bill Glidden, Whiteland IN, '10 Mustang        6.442  173.72

 27  288 Sidnei Frigo, Sao Paulo BZ, '16 Corvette       6.544  159.97

 28 6967 Jim Bell, Edmonton AB, '69 Camaro              6.806  210.01

 29  303 Dan Stevenson, Bolingbrook IL, '16 Camaro      9.220  146.11

 30 1109 Gerry Capano, Greenville DE, '69 Camaro        9.220  101.76