Sam Gottier’s 762 ci ‘71 Chevelle.

His 7.130 at 189 during qualifying held up for low ET and the number one spot. Next closest was Jeff Lutz in his second car, a steel ‘57 Chevy which thundered to 7.406/197.77 for the second. Mike Schmidt ran 7.460/186.61 in his flamed 2002 Camaro. The last car in this 31-car field was that of Walter Drakeford with his 85 T-Bird at a 7.893/187.47.

Gottier got the bye in round one and he cruised to a 7.409/180.19. Schmidt also got a freebee when Rocky Elson couldn't make the call and ran 7.453/183.67. Lutz then took a win over Lee Saunders at 7.791/182.92.

Phil Hines must have found the problem in his Mustang. After qualifying 12th with an 8.749/136.83, as he really stepped up to 7.859/186.54 in his first round win over Scott Rigg. Drakeford’s opponent broke, resulting in another single run.

Drakeford then received the legal bye run to start the second round and ran 8.037/181.06. Schmidt continues with a 7.550/180.36 defeat of Gene Birdwell who trailed at a 9.771. Gottier didn't use all he had to win over Jeremy Arabal but his 7.384/179.92 was more than enough to cover a 9.53. Lutz then ran an 8.035/167.97 easily outdistancing Raymond Korkowsi who ran a good for him 9.030/151.24 in his El Camino.

Hines then ended Wade Gullett’s day with a 7.618/187.55. Gullett ran 8.406/167.09, but he was not disappointed because after many years of racing at the World Street Nationals he was finally able to qualify in the Top Ten and receive a jacket. Carl Weisinger offers this to all Top Ten qualifiers in each class. Gullet qualified 5th with 8.065/168.30 in his ‘69 Camaro.

Schmidt (above) opened up the third round with a good 7.418/180.69 thumping of Dave Norris. Gottier then stepped it up with a 7.344/182.85 over Terry Duffy. Hines was close at 7.517/186.41 as he came out on top of Drakeford’s 7.630/191.81 turbocharged T-Bird.

Lutz then showed everyone he still has real glass in the car as the rear window blew out at about 100 feet, leaving it in many very small pieces for the track to clean up. He never slowed down as he won with a 7.629/185.95 over John Townsend’s 8.260/165.86.

Gottier then backed up his qualifying effort with a fine 7.152/192.06 as Hines's Mustang spun and couldn't catch up. He trailed at 7.465-190.19 in. The track was really coming in as night had arrived.

Schmidt also improved to a 7.274/186.79, shutting down a rear windowless Jeff Lutz at 7.587/193.07.

Gottier left it all for the final as he was out first and never looked back his 7.094-190.59 was the best run all weekend, Schmidt gave up at half track as Gottier disappeared into the black.