DINWIDDIE, Va. (October 9, 2009) - Coming into the NHRA Virginia Nationals, Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge driver Mike Knowles was hoping to make up a 43-point deficit and get into the Matco Tools Pro Mod Clash, but after two rounds of qualifying, Knowles is outside the field and hoping for another qualifying session to make the show.

In the first round, Knowles struck the tires at the hit and limped down the track. After working through his setup, he attacked the Virginia Motorsports Park quarter-mile and ran a 6.153 at 234.45, a better run but only good enough for the No. 18 spot in an ultra-quick field. With weather forecasts calling for rain on Saturday, Knowles is hoping for another shot at the track in qualifying before the field is set.

"That second pass was a lot better. The early numbers were really good, we just carried the front end a little too far and got out of the groove. I had to pedal it to get it back, and that was the difference. If we can get one more pass, I'm confident we can make the show," Knowles said.

"Really though, we had some trouble early in the season, and that's what put us in this situation we're in now. If we had made a few more rounds early on, we'd be in the Clash already.

"Mike (Strasberg, crew chief) and I have really already started working on our combinations for next year, trying to get a handle on some new hardware we're going to be working with, so, we're thinking, if we can make the Clash, that's great, but we're going to focus on getting things in line to make a run for 2010 now," he said.

Weather permitting, the final round of qualifying is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, with eliminations scheduled to begin Saturday evening with the B&J Transmissions Bonus round at 4:00 p.m. The balance of eliminations is scheduled to run Sunday afternoon.

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