The final round was an international affair between a team from Puerto Rico in a true Import six-cylinder Toyota Corolla and a Canadian team with an NHRA Pro Stock-style Pontiac GXP powered by a Swedish Saab four-cylinder.

The crowd of Sport Compact racing faithful had been at the track for nearly 10 hours by the time the final round was called, yet it appeared that no one had left the track. The crowd all stood on their feet as the two cars did their burnouts with the turbochargers popping, banging and belching flames while the smoke from the tires fogged the starting line.

You talk about drivers and tuners under pressure. The money difference between the winner’s share and the runner-up share was over $16,000 but even more important was national pride and bragging rights. Losing to an American-built vehicle with an  Swedish-import engine would make for a long trip back to Puerto Rico for the Juarbe team.

Brunet left as the last yellow light faded and the green started to blossom, putting a car length holeshot on his opponent. He held the lead until the 1,000-foot mark when his car lost traction and started to squirm around allowing Juarbe’s much shorter-wheelbased Toyota -- that ran down the track like it was on rails -- to catch and pass the Canadian just before the finish line.

When the blue win light in Juarbe’s lane started flashing the crowd went crazy. Puerto Rican flags were waving in the stands and people were really celebrating. On the starting line the Juarbe crew mobbed the car owner and their tuner. It was a Hollywood ending to a historic doorslammer race. You should have been there!