Nichols, who won the most recent Prostalgia race last month in Palm Beach, once again put himself in a final round with a blistering 5.974, 241.15 to defeat Jacobsmeyer’s 6.165, 230.88 in the first round. McIntire reached his first official final of the year with a 6.111, 235.04 to get around Dunn.

In other first round action Gallen defeated Lawson and Jon Capps defeated Rick Krafft.

While McIntire’s victory was a big plus for the team, the biggest surprise of the weekend came when Pro Fuel newcomer Buddy Domingue toppled two of the best in the class to claim an Ironman in his first time out.

“I just have to thank everyone here and especially my crew. Winning in my first weekend out is a pretty neat deal. We are all very excited,” Domingue said.

Domingue (Port Neches, Texas) reached the final with a victory over favorite Bill Evans who dominated the class at the season opener. After getting around Evans, Domingue shifted his focus to the other newcomer to the class, Brandon Pierce.

But after Pierce ran into trouble and failed to make the call, Domingue (shown) was able to cruise to his first win with little issue. Even with the win wrapped up, he still ran a Saturday best 5.452 time at 250 miles per hour.

“It was an exciting night. We beat Bill and then backed that up with the best run of the night. What more could we ask for in our first night out,” Domingue said.

In consolation rounds Jeff Hamelink won in a bye and Robin Samsel defeated Michael Manners.

Shawn Davis

In the opening round of Pro Fuel Domingue knocked Evans from his spot at the top of the Pro Fuel podium with a solid 5.731, 240.38 pass, barely edging Evans’ 5.985, 254.45. Pierce occupied the other final spot with a 5.576, 254.09 to eliminate Michael Manners.

In the other Pro Fuel round Robin Samsel defeated Jeff Hamelink.

Drivers in the Outlaw Pro Modified class shifted away from two nights of eliminations and elected to instead use Saturday to qualify for Sunday’s elimination rounds. After two passes on Saturday Shawn Davis (Lake Charles, La.) led the pack with a 4.214, 137.42 pass in the eighth-mile. Jim Jolley was second, followed by Wayne Collins, Steve Wheeler and Steve Benoit.

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