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HOUSTON (March 29) -- Reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge world champion Josh Hernandez continued his love affair with Houston Raceway Park Saturday, moving into the No. 1 qualifying position in the morning with the quickest pass of the meet and winning the first round of eliminations in the afternoon with the best pass of the round.
Returning to form at his hometown track after a mediocre outing at the season-opener in Florida two weeks ago, the Conroe, Texas-based racer started the day with a strong 5.962 at 242.50 mph to earn the $1,000 Ohio Crankshaft Low Qualifier Award. He returned a few hours later and dismissed Harold Laird in Round 1 with a 5.998 at 242.15 mph to Laird's game but losing 6.088 at 234.74 mph.
"We made several changes over the winter, with crew guys and such, and I think we're all finally finding our sweet spot with one another this weekend," Hernandez said. "It's great to get it together here with all of our friends and family members on hand, cheering for us. That makes it special.
"I don't know exactly what it is about this racetrack but we love it here. We've won the last three years in a row and we're hoping to earn our fourth tomorrow. We've got one round in the books and three to go, but we know any car in the field can bite us if we're not careful."
Hernandez will line his AMS Staff Leasing Camaro up against No. 8 qualifier John Russo's Firebird in the quarterfinals. Russo advanced by beating Kirk Kuhns, 6.081 to 6.141.
Other Round 1 winners include current points leader Joe Baker, Danny Rowe, Eddie Ware, Jay Payne, Mike Ashley, and Tony Pontieri.
ROUND 1 JEGS ProMod Challenge Agate:
ROUND ONE -- John Russo, Pontiac Firebird, 6.081, 237.96 def. Kirk Kuhns, Willys, 6.141, 233.12;
Jay Payne, Chevy Camaro, 7.801, 122.89 def. Rick Stivers, Shelby GT, 15.674, 50.25;
Joe Baker, Chevy Corvette, 6.000, 241.11 def. Tim Tindle, GT, 6.139, 234.00;
Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, 14.017, 60.53 def. Scott Ray, Corvette, foul;
Danny Rowe, Camaro, 6.065, 238.76 def. Shelly Payne, Dodge Stratus, 8.840,128.82;
Mike Ashley, Camaro, 6.045, 240.34 def. Steve Engel, Corvette, 8.955, 119.16;
Eddie Ware, Firebird, 6.423, 235.35 def. Raymond Commisso, Firebird, foul;
Joshua Hernandez, Camaro, 5.998, 242.15 def. Harold Laird, Corvette, 6.088, 234.74;
Home cookin' still tasting great to Hernandez
HOUSTON (March 29) -- Reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge world champion Josh Hernandez continued his love affair with Houston Raceway Park Saturday, moving into the No. 1 qualifying position in the morning with the quickest pass of the meet and winning the first round of eliminations in the afternoon with the best pass of the round.
Returning to form at his hometown track after a mediocre outing at the season-opener in Florida two weeks ago, the Conroe, Texas-based racer started the day with a strong 5.962 at 242.50 mph to earn the $1,000 Ohio Crankshaft Low Qualifier Award. He returned a few hours later and dismissed Harold Laird in Round 1 with a 5.998 at 242.15 mph to Laird's game but losing 6.088 at 234.74 mph.
"We made several changes over the winter, with crew guys and such, and I think we're all finally finding our sweet spot with one another this weekend," Hernandez said. "It's great to get it together here with all of our friends and family members on hand, cheering for us. That makes it special.
"I don't know exactly what it is about this racetrack but we love it here. We've won the last three years in a row and we're hoping to earn our fourth tomorrow. We've got one round in the books and three to go, but we know any car in the field can bite us if we're not careful."
Hernandez will line his AMS Staff Leasing Camaro up against No. 8 qualifier John Russo's Firebird in the quarterfinals. Russo advanced by beating Kirk Kuhns, 6.081 to 6.141.
Other Round 1 winners include current points leader Joe Baker, Danny Rowe, Eddie Ware, Jay Payne, Mike Ashley, and Tony Pontieri.
ROUND 1 JEGS ProMod Challenge Agate:
ROUND ONE -- John Russo, Pontiac Firebird, 6.081, 237.96 def. Kirk Kuhns, Willys, 6.141, 233.12;
Jay Payne, Chevy Camaro, 7.801, 122.89 def. Rick Stivers, Shelby GT, 15.674, 50.25;
Joe Baker, Chevy Corvette, 6.000, 241.11 def. Tim Tindle, GT, 6.139, 234.00;
Tony Pontieri, Chevy Bel Air, 14.017, 60.53 def. Scott Ray, Corvette, foul;
Danny Rowe, Camaro, 6.065, 238.76 def. Shelly Payne, Dodge Stratus, 8.840,128.82;
Mike Ashley, Camaro, 6.045, 240.34 def. Steve Engel, Corvette, 8.955, 119.16;
Eddie Ware, Firebird, 6.423, 235.35 def. Raymond Commisso, Firebird, foul;
Joshua Hernandez, Camaro, 5.998, 242.15 def. Harold Laird, Corvette, 6.088, 234.74;
