NHRA (VIRGINIA) - Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series raced under beautiful weather during qualifying of the second annual Virginia Nationals

Top qualifiers for the event are Brad Personett (Pro RWD), Ken Scheepers (Modified), Marty Ladwig (Pro FWD), Stephanie Eggum (Hot Rod) and Norris Prayoonto (Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor).

Personett continues to dominate the Pro RWD category. Driving to a time of 6.78 seconds at 206.13 mph he gained his 13th career No. 1 qualifier in his Titan Motorsports Scion tC. He also established the national record for time and speed.

“It was fun,” said Personett of his runs. “Gary (White – teammate) ran me out on the second run. I’ve got the car tuned down and it’s test mode for Harry Hruska and Precision Turbo. I can’t say enough about the facility and what they’ve been through the last week with the weather. They got the track ready.”

Scheepers, driving his Mazdaspeed RX8, coming off his win earlier in the month at Moroso, achieved his No. 1 with a run of 7.27 seconds at 186.67 mph in the first round of the day. This is his first No. 1 qualifier since 2004 and his sixth career top qualifier. If he is able to back his time during eliminations on Sunday he will establish a national record.

“I surprised myself,” said Scheepers. “It’s been a long time. I couldn’t believe it when they showed me the (time)slip. It’s awesome. I have been taking it in little steps and now it is paying off. I want to thank Idemitsu who just came on as a sponsor. I also want to thank NGK Spark Plugs and Mickey Thompson.”

Driving his Lucas Oil Chevrolet Cobalt, Ladwig powered his car to a time of 7.31 seconds at 173.94 mph. Just like Scheepers he could establish a national record if he is able to backup his run within the required one percent. This is his 19th career No. 1 qualifier.

“I finally have the best car,” said Ladwig. “It’s a relief to have the potential record, but there’s a ways to go. I’ll have the whole day or at least one pass tomorrow to back it up. My goal tomorrow is to run rounds, set the record, and win the race. This is a brand new car and I am barely getting the tuning down. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Jason Hunt, the current speed record holder, is looking to back up his run of 196.39 mph for a new national speed record in Pro FWD.

Eggum achieved her fourth career No. 1 qualifier with a run of 8.07 seconds at 179.23 mph. She is looking to carry this position to a win on Sunday.

“I have a bracket car now,” said Eggum. “I was battling the sun on that last run. I am glad to get some consistent passes because consistency is our thing. I want to thank Blaze Motorsports, who is a new associate sponsor on the car.”

Prayoonto was able to achieve the No. 1 position by driving his Clutchmasters Honda Insight to a time of 9.47 seconds at 142.31 mph. This is his fifth career top qualifier.

“I’m relieved,” said Prayoonto. “All the hard work we have put into this car. We have worked hard on the car since Moroso. I want to thank Saul Salceda for all his hard work.”

Eliminations will be held Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park after opening ceremonies which begin at 1:30 p.m.

***

PETERSBURG, Va. -- Results Saturday after qualifying for the Second Annual NHRA Virginia Sport Compact Nationals Presented By Dreamz in Motion at Virginia Motorsports Park, Second of 11 events in the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing Series. Final eliminations will be held Sunday.

PRO RWD

1) Brad Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '06 Scion, 6.780 seconds, 206.99 mph

2) Gary Lee White, New Market, Ala., '05 Celica, 6.873, 202.24

3) Manny Cruz, Bronx, N.Y., '02 Cougar, 7.176, 179.95

PRO FWD

1) Marty Ladwig, San Antonio, Texas, '06 Cobalt, 7.312 seconds, 173.94 mph

2) Ed Bergenholtz, Tustin, Calif., '07 Mazda, 7.547, 193.68

3) Jason Hunt, Crofton, Md., '07 Cobalt, 7.571, 196.39

4) Gary Gardella, Howell, N.J., '07 Cobalt, 7.655, 184.04

5) Christian Rado, Temple, Pa., '06 tC, 7.664, 189.42

6) Bryan Jimenez, Houston, Texas, '07 Cobalt, 7.842, 183.72

MODIFIED

1) Ken Scheepers, Flower Mound, Texas, '05 RX8, 7.273 seconds, 186.67 mph

2) Paul Efantis, Ijamsville, Md., '03 Solara, 7.324, 186.95

3) Eddie Colon, Winter Park, Fla., '95 MX-6, 7.626, 182.53

4) Dee Karagiannis, Glenwood, Md., '07 Mazda, 7.663, 176.07

5) Luis Corujo, Glendale, Md., '04 Celica, 7.779, 171.42

6) Steve Topletz, Dallas, Texas, '05 Celica, 8.235, 123.24

HOT ROD

1) Stephanie Eggum, Elgin, Ill., '00 Civic, 8.073 seconds, 183.62 mph

2) Kenny Tran, Garland, Texas, '06 tC, 8.350, 168.49

3) Chuck Seitsinger, Oklahoma City, Okla., '92 Civic, 8.398, 171.16

HONDA TUNING MAGAZINE ALL MOTOR

1) Norris Prayoonoto, Springfield, Va., '04 Honda, 9.479 seconds, 142.31 mph

2) Jeremy Lookofsky, Simi Valley, Calif., dragster, 9.491, 141.62

3) Saul Salceda, Gardena, Calif., '00 Integra, 9.591, 138.73

4) Leslie Durst-Armendariz, Long Beach, Calif., '06 tC, 9.592, 141.74

5) Scott Kelley, Anaheim, Calif., '07 Corolla, 9.786, 139.56

6) Julie Stepan, Grand Praire, Texas, '07 Cobalt, 10.520, 127.82

7) Doug Parks, Fullerton, Calif., '07 3, 11.795, 97.39

SPORT RWD

1) Darin Dichiara, Orlando, Fla., '94 Toyota, 9.582 seconds, 149.35 mph

2) Rob Latkovich, Virginia Beach, Va., '93 RX7, 11.217, 125.11

3) Jason Greenowalt, Hunker, Pa., '93 240SX, 12.072, 119.50

4) Mark Mazurowski, Orlando, Fla., '05 240SX, 14.942, 68.64

URBANRACER.COM SPORT FWD

1) Jonathan Reynolds, Springfield, Va., '01 Integra, 9.649 seconds, 136.83 mph

2) Felix Medina, Ridgefield, , '92 Civic, 9.799, 151.26

3) Joe Simpson, Waldorf, Md., '93 Civic, 9.979, 154.74

4) Kevin Van Natten, Belford, N.J., '04 SRT-4, 10.080, 136.48

5) Fernando Reyes, Orlando, Fla., '94 Honda, 10.128, 159.04

6) Jason Lopes, Liverpool, N.Y., '05 tC, 10.184, 130.73

7) Brian Stoll, Chesapeake, Va., '92 Civic, 10.668, 136.81

8) Steven Jung, Freehold, N.J., '92 Civic, 10.846, 135.02

9) Roger Young, Titusville, Fla., '98 Civic, 10.925, 135.91

10) Andrea Koury, Bangor, Pa., '91 Honda, 11.189, 139.67

BFGOODRICH TIRES STREET STOCK

1) Brian Fisher, Woodbridge, Va., '95 Civic, 11.719 seconds, 119.44 mph

2) Cristian Gomez, Orlando, Fla., '98 Integra, 12.096, 113.92

3) Shad Sawyer, Virginia Beach, Va., '93 Civic, 12.212, 114.40

4) Loan Nguyen, Burke, Va., '99 Civic, 12.272, 114.53

5) Chris Dye, Colorado Springs, Colo., '02 RSX, 12.558, 112.07

6) Francisco Pietri, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Integra, 13.145, 105.09

QUICK 16

1) Brian Ballard, Sloatsburg, N.Y., '07 Cobalt, 10.060 seconds, 117.78 mph

2) Jerry Lewis, Mechanicsburg, Md., '68 Beetle, 11.033, 126.33

3) Larry Kelley, Yorba Linda, Calif., '56 Beetle, 11.574, 122.70