Hernandez hurries to track record; earns Ohio Crankshaft dough

ST. LOUIS (May 3) -- Reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge champion Josh Hernandez zipped to a Gateway International Raceway record of 5.955 seconds at 241.89 mph Saturday afternoon to secure his second Ohio Crankshaft Low Qualifier Award of the season. Hernandez is trying to make up for missing the Atlanta event and his series-leading 10th career pole earns him maximum points thus far.

"It's a big deal because you get a lot of confidence out of it," Hernandez said of his low-qualifying effort. "It also gives you lane choice, which seems very important here. The left side is definitely smoother and I'd like to stay over there if possible. At least we know we'll start on that side."

Hernandez is scheduled to open against Brad Personett, who qualified 16th in his twin-turbo Marx Motorsports '53 Corvette. Personett qualified for his first race of the year with a 6.437 at 219.94 mph.

Danny Rowe made a miraculous comeback from a chilling Friday night accident that claimed his Hottinger Group Camaro. Driving Mike Ashley's back-up car, Rowe zoomed from the sidelines to the No. 4 position with a 5.987 at 241.02 mph in the final qualifying session. Rowe entered the race sixth in the points and is considered a championship contender.

The biggest surprise on the list of drivers who failed to qualify was Ray Commisso, who couldn't put a full pass together this weekend. He was fourth in the JEGS points, 45 off the lead, but will certainly drop after his first DNQ of the season. Fellow top-10 runner John Russo also failed to make the show.