Over the 2009 winter months, 10 cars that fit the promoters’ vision of early Pro Stock cars were assembled. These cars could "walk the walk" with hellacious burnouts, dry hops, launches through the "gold dust" and heads-up 9-second racing.

The Mopar camp had the original "Queen Bee" ‘73 Hemi Duster of Billy "the Kid" Lyons, the original ‘73 Duster of Marfizo and Fermanchik, and Sean Loboda's ‘72 Duster "Pain Killer." 

The Chevy contingent included John Svoboda's original "Canned Heat" ‘68 Camaro driven by local legend Jeff Gardner; Mike Price's ‘69 Camaro; Joe Winblad's "Winblad Automotive" ‘69 Camaro from the Dayton, OH, area; the Timoszyk brothers’ "Al Gary" ‘71 Vega from Detroit; Tom Peter's "Strycnine" ‘71 Vega from Indiana; and Jim Hawkins’ "Hawk's Nest" ‘67 Camaro from Colorado.

Pontiac fans in attendance cheered for the original  "Bionic Bird" ‘68 Firebird of Frank Jessick. Sadly, no Fords could be found for the match race.

As race day approached, the "Winblad Automotive" Camaro and the "Strycnine” Vega had to bow out due to equipment trouble encountered during early shakedown runs.
A closed test-and-tune session was held for the remaining eight Pro Stockers the day before the race. During testing the "Al Gary" Vega blew its Dana rear end and Mike Price's Camaro’s engine suffered a cracked cylinder head. The show appeared to be headed for real trouble. But an all-night thrash by Price installing a complete new top end on his engine put him back in the show.

Above, right: The “Al Gary” team also were able to repair the damaged Dana, rebuilding it in the Vega at the track, and they were ready for the race.