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MADISON, Ill. – Troy Critchley blasted the AMS Staff Leasing flagship ’70 Plymouth Barracuda to a No. 1 qualifying position and an impressive semifinal finish in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. at the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend, reclaiming the No. 2 points position in the series.
Originally slated to compete in both the AMS Pro Mod Challenge in Madison, Ill. as well as the ADRL Georgia Drags in Valdosta, Ga., Critchley chose to stay in Illinois to assure his qualifying position after rain claimed the second round of qualifying on Friday, leaving him in a precarious position at the No. 14 spot, well off pace at a 6.842/153.81.
“It was a touch decision for Dave [Wood, team owner and series sponsor] to make, but I really agreed with it,” Critchley said. “I didn’t want to take the chance of giving up any rounds over here, and I wasn’t comfortable at all with that 84 because I knew Saturday’s times would be a whole lot better.”
And better they were, as Critchley saved his best for last and grabbed the No. 1 spot and the $1,000 bonus money from Ohio Crankshaft with a 6.154/235.76.
In eliminations, Critchley dismissed newcomer Raymond Vettel in a classic pedaling contest, 6.529/229.39 to 7.102/152.18. In round two, he slapped a hole shot on Tim Tindle, his .032 reaction to Tindle’s .090 the difference at the line, 6.142/238.51 taking Tindle’s quicker 6.099/236.75.
In the semifinal round, it was a battle of the AMS/Rage Machines as Critchley had to face off against his ‘certifiably hot’ teammate Josh Hernandez. As the two prepared their cars with a friendly banter in the pits, Critchley focused on trying to take the win for the weekend, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Just off the starting line, Critchley fell victim to the unpredictable lanes at Gateway International Raceway, smoking the tires and watching Hernandez’ tail lights, recording a 9.158/124.80 to his teammate’s 6.133/235.02.
“We definitely gave it a great shot, and it was a great weekend for the team, so, I am happy. Of course I wanted to win, but if I had to lose, I’m glad we kept it in the family, you know?” Critchley said.
“Joshie knows that he’s got a target on his back, and I’m right in line to take a shot, just like all the others out here. The good news is that we took back second place in the points, and we’re getting geared up to head to Bristol. The season is far from over, and a semifinal win is really very, very good,” he said.
Critchley and the entire AMS/Rage team head next to Bristol, Tenn. for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, May 18-20.
Photo courtesy of CompetitionPlus.com
No. 1 Qualifier Critchley earns Semifinals in St. Louis
MADISON, Ill. – Troy Critchley blasted the AMS Staff Leasing flagship ’70 Plymouth Barracuda to a No. 1 qualifying position and an impressive semifinal finish in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc. at the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend, reclaiming the No. 2 points position in the series.
Originally slated to compete in both the AMS Pro Mod Challenge in Madison, Ill. as well as the ADRL Georgia Drags in Valdosta, Ga., Critchley chose to stay in Illinois to assure his qualifying position after rain claimed the second round of qualifying on Friday, leaving him in a precarious position at the No. 14 spot, well off pace at a 6.842/153.81.
“It was a touch decision for Dave [Wood, team owner and series sponsor] to make, but I really agreed with it,” Critchley said. “I didn’t want to take the chance of giving up any rounds over here, and I wasn’t comfortable at all with that 84 because I knew Saturday’s times would be a whole lot better.”
And better they were, as Critchley saved his best for last and grabbed the No. 1 spot and the $1,000 bonus money from Ohio Crankshaft with a 6.154/235.76.
In eliminations, Critchley dismissed newcomer Raymond Vettel in a classic pedaling contest, 6.529/229.39 to 7.102/152.18. In round two, he slapped a hole shot on Tim Tindle, his .032 reaction to Tindle’s .090 the difference at the line, 6.142/238.51 taking Tindle’s quicker 6.099/236.75.
In the semifinal round, it was a battle of the AMS/Rage Machines as Critchley had to face off against his ‘certifiably hot’ teammate Josh Hernandez. As the two prepared their cars with a friendly banter in the pits, Critchley focused on trying to take the win for the weekend, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Just off the starting line, Critchley fell victim to the unpredictable lanes at Gateway International Raceway, smoking the tires and watching Hernandez’ tail lights, recording a 9.158/124.80 to his teammate’s 6.133/235.02.
“We definitely gave it a great shot, and it was a great weekend for the team, so, I am happy. Of course I wanted to win, but if I had to lose, I’m glad we kept it in the family, you know?” Critchley said.
“Joshie knows that he’s got a target on his back, and I’m right in line to take a shot, just like all the others out here. The good news is that we took back second place in the points, and we’re getting geared up to head to Bristol. The season is far from over, and a semifinal win is really very, very good,” he said.
Critchley and the entire AMS/Rage team head next to Bristol, Tenn. for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, May 18-20.
Photo courtesy of CompetitionPlus.com
