Knox and his Cathedral City, Calif., crew gave Childers a great tune-up in the potent “Problem Child” and he left right with the World Champion, and at half track was right with the Amos Satterlee-tuned “Speed Sport”, but at the 1,000-foot mark the red St. Louis-based fueler took over, carding another great 4.776 win over Childers’ slowing 5.16 at only 185.20 mph. The stage was now set as the number 1 and 2 boats in the nation were ready for what promised to be a great final round.

After a great day of non-stop boat racing action the sun began to set, and only the two Top Fuel boats remained on the rope. The starting system was activated and both boats were loaded for bear, and as the tree came down, flames stood eight feet tall. Silvey took a slight starting line advantage and locked into a great side-by-side battle with Haas.

It was a hot finish for the Top Fuel Hydro boats.  (Jon LeMoine photo)

The pair roared down the liquid quarter mile in a classic duel that ended with a giant fireball following the Texas “Hot Licks” allowing Haas to roar by for an unreal 4.687 at 250.30 (Low E.T. and Top Speed) for the win. The Osmon-Haas-Satterlee combination remains the team to beat, but a third consecutive title will be their most challenging yet.

The Top Alcohol Hydro, Top Alcohol Flat, and Pro Mod fields battled all weekend with a great field of boats in all three professional LODBRS classes.

Andy Reynolds in Bob Genther’s beautiful “Déjà Vu” made the long haul from Michigan worthwhile as they worked through a great Top alcohol Hydro field culminating in a holeshot 5.63/212-mph win over a late leaving Mike Fry in “Mean Streak,” who lost with Low E.T/Top Speed of the meet (5.49/216).  (James Drew photo)

Don Bausher took top honors in Top Alcohol Flat, dominating a great field. After setting the tone with a great 6.53 opener, the yellow “Habit Forming III” was never challenged, and easily put away MPH record holder Johnny Heidimann’s “Nightmare” in the final by a 6.70 to 8.38 count.