(Adam Cranmer photo)

Coughlin, the 2012 NHRA Pro Mod champ, had a massive head start in his JEGS.com Corvette, leaving the starting line with a .047-second reaction time to Smith's late .113-second launch. But Smith's supercharged Camaro slowly reeled in Coughlin's twin turbo-powered hot rod and was able to nose ahead by 15 inches at the finish line.

"I wanted to go some rounds at this race, especially with it being Dad's (Jeg Coughlin Sr.) birthday," Coughlin said. "We had a tough draw in Round 1 and with the rule changes this year we just struggled enough that it cost us. We're on the right track and we'll get it figured out.”

Pete Farber’s Dodge Daytona.  (Ron Lewis photo)

Smith also got around No. 2 qualifier Danny Rowe and Pete Farber on his way to the win and a 22-point lead over second place King going into the next race at Bruton Smith’s zMAX Dragway in Charlotte on April 19-21.