Pontieri braves chilly night session to earn provisional Gateway pole

ST. LOUIS (May 2) -- Canadian racer Tony Pontieri shook off some unseasonable cold weather Friday night to earn the provisional pole of the 12th annual O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals with a slick 5.969 at 239.53 mph. It was the only five-second pass of the day, which was marred by two accidents. Fortunately, no one was hurt in either incident.

JEGS ProMod Challenge newcomer Alex Hossler was the first to contact the retaining wall at the start of the second session. His accident was followed a few pairs later by Danny Rowe's top-end wreck, which caused a lengthy clean-up. As temperatures continued to drop, five cautious racers decided to pull out and head back to the pits without a second attempt.

The first to call it a day was current JEGS ProMod Challenge champion Josh Hernandez, who posted a class-leading 6.046 at 235.19 mph in Round 1. His time ended up as the second best of the day.

Kirk Kuhns, who also skipped Round 2, was third with a 6.050 at 234.78 mph. Roger Burgess, another defector, stayed fourth with a 6.101 at 236.92 mph in his ProCare Rx Corvette.

Shelly Payne represents the bump with a 8.411 in her Valvoline Stratus. She'll likely need to improve in Saturday afternoon's final qualifying session to stay in the race.

Information regarding JEGS ProMod Challenge can be found at www.jegspromod.com.