Wood benefited from the absence of Outlaw 10.5 dominator Tim Lynch, who was fortunate to survive a fiery crash just days before in testing at Maryland International Raceway. But as Gil Mobley's Militia returned with the 1-2 punch of Richie Sexton and Chuck Ulsch at the top of the qualifying order, Wood's victory over Rick Snavely, the No. 16 qualifier, was that much sweeter.

In scoring back-to-back Shakedown victories, Heavy Street's Gottier set low E.T. of the meet in qualifying No. 1 with a 4.419-second run in his  '70 Chevelle and edged Joseph Richardson in a close final, 4.465 at 160.67 mph to 4.677, 157.26. Gottier made the crowd gasp as his car backfired and blew the hood high into the air.

The Drag Radial final was a battle of Mustangs, as Jackson, the No. 1 qualifier, topped No. 3 qualifier and Shakedown veteran Alex Vrettos.