JUPITER, Fla. (March 3, 2016) – First blood was drawn for the Real Pro Mod (RPM) drivers during the Bennett Auto Supply RPM & Sportsman Southern Showcase on the drag strip at Palm Beach International Raceway™. On Friday night, weather conditions forced race officials to move the second round of pro mod qualifying to Saturday. Bob Rahaim ran a 5.795 sec, 247.07 mph pass to lead the way in his 2015 Corvette after round one.
Saturday proved to be a different story with conditions warming up and three full rounds of qualifying taking place. In round two, it was Steven Whiteley taking the top spot from Rahaim with his 5.780 sec, 251.81 mph pass. Jonathan Gray driving a turbo boosted pro mod for the first time in RPM qualifying made the biggest move in rounds two and three, up to third from 17th. Troy Coughlin, 2015 RPM Champion, ran his fastest pass during round four at 5.766 sec, 259.21 mph where he briefly held the top spot until Jonathan Gray staged into the beam for his final qualifying pass. Gray made an unofficial record pass of 5.751 sec, 255.19 mph to take the top spot away and gained the title “fastest pro mod in history”.
Jonathan Gray launching off the line for his record setting qualifying pass. (AP Photo/Palm Beach International Raceway™)
The final day presented teams with another challenge as the weather shifted again and track conditions changed. In round one of eliminations, teammates Steve Matusek and Danny Rowe were facing off to stay in the first race of the year. Matusek defeated Rowe running a 5.891 sec, 247.79 mph pass. Rahaim, Gray, Whiteley, and Coughlin all advanced to the semi-finals. The match-ups were Gray vs. Rahaim and Whiteley vs. Coughlin. Jonathan Gray advanced after running another blistering pass at 5.785 sec., 254.23 mph to defeat Bob Rahaim. Troy Coughlin had the better reaction time with a .006 on the tree but it was the supercharged Cadillac of Steven Whiteley taking the win light at 5.793 sec., 250.18 mph.
The final round of eliminations were set to see who would take home the Bennett Auto Supply RPM & Sportsman Southern Showcase victory. The turbocharged Camaro of Gray, choosing the right lane, faced off against the supercharged Cadillac of Whiteley for the final round. As both drivers inched closer to the final stage the red light came on for Jonathan Gray as he rolled through the beam giving the first victory of the year to Steven Whiteley.
Jeff Ensslin – Outlaw/X 632 (AP Photo/Palm Beach International Raceway™)
RPM Pro Mod Final Results – Heads up at 1/4-mile
Steven Whitely, 7.545 seconds, 220.62 mph def. Jonathan Gray, Foul
Outlaw 632/X632 Final Results – Heads up at 1/8-mile
Jeff Ensslin, 4.574 seconds, 156.92 mph def. Alexander Padilla, 4.523 seconds, 156.14 mph
Top Eliminator Final Results – Sunday – Dial in at 1/8-mile
Steve Hatfield(4.84), 4.848 seconds, 142.85 mph def. Troy Coughlin Jr.(4.50), 4.511 seconds, 150.75 mph
Top Eliminator Final Results – Saturday – Dial in at 1/8-mile
Shawn Spyker(4.53), 4.530 seconds, 152.54 mph def. Brendon George(4.77), 4.781 seconds, 138.75 mph
Modified Eliminator Final Results – Sunday – Dial in at 1/8-mile
Rob Reynolds(6.21), 16.953 seconds, 43.16 mph def. Richard Mortell, Foul
Modified Eliminator Final Results – Saturday – Dial in at 1/8-mile
Sonny Freeland(6.19), 6.609 seconds, 85.77 mph def. Niki Thomas(6.31), 15.238 seconds, 22.73 mph
For complete race results click here.
Rob Reynolds wheels up. (AP Photo/Palm Beach International Raceway™)
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