Baton Rouge: Friday qualifying summary

Track records fall on opening night of Mardi Gras Nationals; Del Cox Jr. sets provisional Top Fuel pole Friday night; Commisso, Collins top Pro Mod, Pro Stock

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Del Cox Jr. topped the charts Friday night in Top Fuel qualifying for the opening night the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Mardi Gras Nationals at State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge.

Cox (Downey, Ca.) made a 4.712 run at 314.83 mph to hold off 2008 IHRA Nitro Funny Car Champion Terry Haddock (Woodinville, Wa.) who set his personal best Top Fuel E.T. and speed with 4.768, 302.41 mph pass.

Ray Commisso (Toronto, Ont.) took home the Ironman in Pro Modified with a record-challenging 5.993 pass at 245.09 mph. Ed Hoover (Gilbert, SC) was second with a 6.049 run at 237.88 mph.

Pro Stock driver Jason Collins (Rainbow City, Al.) was the Ironman in his class, making a 6.294 second pass at 222.03 mph. Pete Berner (Crete, Il.) was second after two rounds at 6.348, 220.84 mph.

The final two rounds of qualifying for the Mardi Gras Nationals will be held Saturday followed by eliminations on Sunday.

-credit: ihra