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MADISON, Ill. - Troy Critchley blasted his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda to the top of the pack at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc., earning his second top qualifying position of the season.
In an event marred by persistent rain and high humidity, the Pro Mods struggled to even approach the record-setting pace set in the first three events thus far this season. In spite of a loose track and less than optimal conditions, the full-bodied door slammers put on an incredible show for the St. Louis fans, showing some of the side-to-side, exciting runs the class is notorious for.
AMS Rookie of the year in 2006 Matt Hagan earned the No. 4 spot, marking the first time this season he has qualified in the top of the field. After fighting the track in round one, Hagan secured his spot in round two with a 6.221/234.14 and bettered it yet in the final round with a 6.188/234.86.
"We felt great about the second round pass, but the third was even better," explained Hagan. "We're going to go into tomorrow with good momentum and one of the best cars on the track."
Hagan was slated to square off against Zach Barklage in the first round, but according to Mark Barklage, Zach's father, team owner and crew chief, the Missouri-natives broke too many parts in their final qualifier and will be unable to make the call at 9:30 Sunday morning.
"We just broke too much and I don't have enough parts to run both Zach and Cody's cars tomorrow," Mark Barklage said.
Zach's misfortune is Doug Palmer's serendipity, as the Atlanta runner-up landed just outside the pack in the No. 17 spot, but according to the rules will be placed in Barklage's spot to ensure a full field on Sunday.
Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and run throughout the day on Sunday.
Final Qualifying Order
1 Troy Critchley 6.154 235.76
2 Tony Pontieri 6.182 230.84
3 Jay Payne 6.183 233.88
4 Matt Hagan 6.188 234.86
5 Josh Hernandez 6.191 234.09
6 Raymond Commisso 6.205 235.64
7 Scott Ray 6.220 227.15
8 Rick Stivers 6.252 233.32
9 Tim Tindle 6.274 233.48
10 Steve Engel 6.281 232.47
11 Mike Knowles 6.311 226.85
12 Mike Janis 6.368 235.15
13 Zach Barklage 6.498 215.20
14 Andy McCoy 6.587 199.79
15 Cody Barklage 6.632 228.54
16 Raymond Vettel 6.638 213.27
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17 Doug Palmer 6.674 225.00
18 John Deflorian 6.847 210.54
19 Dan Saitz 6.930 188.75
20 Bryan Seward 7.036 151.46
21 Shelly Payne 7.043 149.20
Photo by Les Welch
Critchley makes his mark in Madison, takes pole position in AMS competition
MADISON, Ill. - Troy Critchley blasted his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda to the top of the pack at the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc., earning his second top qualifying position of the season.
In an event marred by persistent rain and high humidity, the Pro Mods struggled to even approach the record-setting pace set in the first three events thus far this season. In spite of a loose track and less than optimal conditions, the full-bodied door slammers put on an incredible show for the St. Louis fans, showing some of the side-to-side, exciting runs the class is notorious for.
AMS Rookie of the year in 2006 Matt Hagan earned the No. 4 spot, marking the first time this season he has qualified in the top of the field. After fighting the track in round one, Hagan secured his spot in round two with a 6.221/234.14 and bettered it yet in the final round with a 6.188/234.86.
"We felt great about the second round pass, but the third was even better," explained Hagan. "We're going to go into tomorrow with good momentum and one of the best cars on the track."
Hagan was slated to square off against Zach Barklage in the first round, but according to Mark Barklage, Zach's father, team owner and crew chief, the Missouri-natives broke too many parts in their final qualifier and will be unable to make the call at 9:30 Sunday morning.
"We just broke too much and I don't have enough parts to run both Zach and Cody's cars tomorrow," Mark Barklage said.
Zach's misfortune is Doug Palmer's serendipity, as the Atlanta runner-up landed just outside the pack in the No. 17 spot, but according to the rules will be placed in Barklage's spot to ensure a full field on Sunday.
Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and run throughout the day on Sunday.
Final Qualifying Order
1 Troy Critchley 6.154 235.76
2 Tony Pontieri 6.182 230.84
3 Jay Payne 6.183 233.88
4 Matt Hagan 6.188 234.86
5 Josh Hernandez 6.191 234.09
6 Raymond Commisso 6.205 235.64
7 Scott Ray 6.220 227.15
8 Rick Stivers 6.252 233.32
9 Tim Tindle 6.274 233.48
10 Steve Engel 6.281 232.47
11 Mike Knowles 6.311 226.85
12 Mike Janis 6.368 235.15
13 Zach Barklage 6.498 215.20
14 Andy McCoy 6.587 199.79
15 Cody Barklage 6.632 228.54
16 Raymond Vettel 6.638 213.27
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17 Doug Palmer 6.674 225.00
18 John Deflorian 6.847 210.54
19 Dan Saitz 6.930 188.75
20 Bryan Seward 7.036 151.46
21 Shelly Payne 7.043 149.20
Photo by Les Welch
