BALOOSHI WINS NHRA GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
LAS VEGAS – Khalid Balooshi won the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing world championship Saturday at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.
Balooshi clinched his first world championship and the $50,000 champion’s prize when he powered his Speedtech ’68 Camaro to a 5.956-seconds at 240.59 mph past Mike Janis in the first round of eliminations.
“This was such a great season for us,” said Balooshi. “I appreciate everyone who’s worked with us, our team, my team owner and everyone involved. I had such an amazing year and this just tops it off. I’m very excited.”
Balooshi’s world championship-winning season included race wins in Gainesville and the Las Vegas spring race, a final round appearance in Houston, and No. 1 qualifiers in Gainesville, and Atlanta.
While Balooshi clinched his world championship today, defending event winner Brad Personett raced to the No. 1 qualifying position, then advanced to the second round of eliminations. Personett powered his ’68 Camaro to a 5.848 at 256.70 to take the top spot in the category, then drove past Adam Flamholc in the first round of eliminations. Personett and Balooshi will meet in the second round as eliminations continue Sunday.
LAS VEGAS -- Saturday's first-round pairings for the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series eliminations for the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The final of ten events in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Pro Modified -- 1. Brad Personett, Chevy Camaro, 5.848, 256.70 vs. 16. Adam Flamholc, Camaro, 6.117, 235.72; 2. Leah Pruett, Ford Mustang, 5.855, 252.24 vs. 15. Joe Lepone Jr, Camaro, 6.095, 236.22; 3. Melanie Troxel, Chevy Corvette, 5.897, 253.66 vs. 14. Clint Hairston, Pontiac GTO, 6.077, 243.72; 4. Jay Payne, Camaro, 5.918, 242.50 vs. 13. Scott Ray, Corvette, 6.040, 237.17; 5. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.919, 244.25 vs. 12. Dennis Radford, Plymouth Duster, 6.026, 232.35; 6. Donald Martin, Camaro, 5.924, 244.78 vs. 11. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 6.013, 237.05; 7. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.964, 244.03 vs. 10. Kenny Lang, Camaro, 6.001, 241.41; 8. Mike Janis, Mustang, 5.994, 239.31 vs. 9. Khalid Balooshi, Camaro, 5.996, 238.85.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Troy Coughlin, 6.119, 246.03; 18. Mike Knowles, 6.142, 238.13; 19. Steve Matusek, 6.320, 239.27; 20. Chip King, 8.112, 119.25; 21. Roger Burgess, 8.450, 150.43.
LAS VEGAS -- Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series first round-by-round results from the 11th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the final of ten events in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series:
ROUND ONE -- Leah Pruett, Ford Mustang, 13.665, 59.46 def. Joe Lepone Jr, Chevy Camaro, foul; Melanie Troxel, Chevy Corvette, 5.935, 253.56 def. Clint Hairston, Pontiac GTO, 6.045, 245.18; Jay Payne, Camaro, 5.983, 240.68 def. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 11.210, 99.54; Donald Martin, Camaro, 5.946, 244.12 def. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 7.376, 131.34; Khalid Balooshi, Camaro, 5.956, 240.59 def. Mike Janis, Mustang, 6.037, 238.09; Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.030, 241.93 def. Kenny Lang, Camaro, foul; Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.961, 243.06 def. Dennis Radford, Plymouth Duster, 9.758, 92.16; Brad Personett, Camaro, 5.967, 247.75 def. Adam Flamholc, Camaro, 6.071, 236.67.
