Hernandez Claims Second No. 1 Spot,
Extends Pro Mod CLASH lead

Belle Rose, La. (July 9, 2005) - AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by TLR rookie Joshua Hernandez continued his recent hot streak in qualifying, claiming the pole at the Torco Gear Summer Drags presented by TLR and extending his points lead in the FLOWMASTER Pro Mod CLASH bonus event competition.

Hernandez (Tommy Lipar Racing '57 Chevy) was the only driver to reach the 6.2-second zone at No Problem Raceway Park, recording a 6.252 best in the two rounds of AMS/TLR qualifying. Two rounds of qualifying were cancelled, one each on Friday and Saturday.

Thomas Patterson (PMS Excavation '41 Willys) wound up second with a 6.315, one-thousandth of a second quicker than Mike Ashley (Torco Race Fuels '67 Mustang). Troy Critchley, driving a '41 Willys for series sponsor AMS Staff Leasing, grabbed the No. 4 spot with a 6.334.

Hernandez has qualified first, third, second, and first in the last four Pro Mod Challenge events. Including his 16 points for finishing No. 1 at the Summer Drags, he has 113 points in the Pro Mod CLASH competition, 10 more than second-place Ashley. Troy Coughlin (Jeg's Mail Order '67
Mustang) moved into the provisional eight-car CLASH field, climbing up to seventh place after finishing No. 7 in Belle Rose.

About the FLOWMASTER Pro Mod CLASH
The final top eight points-earners will compete in the 3rd annual FLOWMASTER Pro Mod CLASH, which will be held during qualifying at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 20-23. The No. 1 qualifier at each AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge presented by TLR event will earn 16 points, the No. 2 qualifier will earn 15 points, and so on, down to one point for the No. 16 qualifier. Points will be earned through the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, Sept. 22-25. The $44,000 FLOWMASTER Pro Mod CLASH will pay $25,000 to the winner.

FLOWMASTER Pro Mod CLASH points standings (Top eight finishers qualify) Through 9 of 14 events
1. Joshua Hernandez 113
2. Mike Ashley 103
3. Jay Payne 99
4. Troy Critchley 88
5. Chip King 80
6. Thomas Patterson 75
7. Troy Coughlin 65
8. Shelly Payne 64
9. Kirk Kuhns 63
10. Glen Kerunsky 60
11. Ed Hoover 58
12. Frankie Taylor 57
13. Zach Barklage 47
14. Al Billes 39
Quain Stott 39
16. Doug Palmer 34
17. Mike Castellana 27
18. Joey Martin 26
19. Rick Stivers 24
Shannon Jenkins 24
21. Mike Bell 20
22. Cody Barklage 18
23. Richie Stevens 13
24. Harold Laird 12
Jim Halsey 12
26. Eddie Ware 11
27. Danny Rowe 10
28. Steve Engel 9
Von Smith 9
30. Perry Herring 8
Mike Janis 8
Scott Cannon Jr. 8
33. John Scialpi 7
34. Dennis Radford 4
35. Brian Daniels 3
Bryon Rich 3
Wayne Torkelson 3
38. Scott Ray 2
Bill Hill 2
40. Ron Muenks 1
Brandon Pesz 1
Mike Moran 1

Torco Gear Summer Drags qualifying
(final)
1. Joshua Hernandez, 6.252, 226.81
2. Thomas Patterson, 6.315, 222.44
3. Mike Ashley, 6.316, 226.58
4. Troy Critchley, 6.334; 223.06
5. Harold Laird, 6.336, 223.88
6. Zach Barklage, 6.339, 219.19
7. Troy Coughlin, 6.413, 219.47
8. Doug Palmer, 6.840, 207.05
9. Frankie Taylor, 6.889, 213.94
10. Jay Payne, 6.928, 213.47
11. Mike Castellana, 9.065, 102.96
12. Glen Kerunsky, 9.873, 87.31

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