Stivers blasted to a 5.823 at 246.93 to take out Commisso, who was slowed by a broken spark plug to a 5.998 at 235.35. His win set up an all Team BAE final of Stivers versus Payne.

Jay Payne (near lane) and Rick Stivers.  (Todd Dziadosz photo)

Stivers either had to set an ET record or win the event in order to pass Tindle for the last slot to qualify for the Pro Mod Clash. It appeared Stivers would pull off the move, but at half-track the Lexington, Ky., businessman couldn't control the monster tune-up Brad Anderson put into the Stratus and it spun the tires, drifted and crossed the centerline, forfeiting the round and handing the win to teammate Jay Payne.

"It just wasn't meant to be," said a disappointed Stivers. "I wanted that record so bad I could taste it, and Brad gave me a tune up that would have run a 5.70-something. The air was there, the conditions were right, but when the wheels went up after I shifted, I couldn't hang on, and it just got away from me."

Payne's victory was his first of the season and his second at Virginia Motorsports Park, his first coming just last year. Stivers won the event two years ago.

Next up on the schedule for the Get Screened America Pro Mod Challenge is the series final race of the season at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas, Oct. 29-Nov. 1.