The teams that ran smaller percentages of nitro were able to get a hold on the tricky track surface. The track management did everything within their power to prepare and take care of the track, but the heavy hitters all had trouble taking power out of their engines because of the supreme atmospheric conditions.

Given the conditions, there were many surprises as to who competed in what field and who won first round. It was the best Chrysler Hemi vs Chevy BB with percentages of nitro vs alky and tires. Getting the combination right on this day played an important role in who won and who lost. After the very first round, all of the previous World Fuel Altered Nationals winners were in the trailer.

Second round saw all new and previously non-winners racing for the money and prestigious title. This year’s event was going to be a different kind of race with a field of wild-card competitors. New competitors were fighting hard to take the awards and prize money back to their states.

In the “A” field Howard Farris of Springtown, Texas, blasted down the track showing fans the nitro flames over the wing that 90% nitro delivers. He set Low ET for the first round with a 3.9023/194-mph blast. He came back to also deliver top speed for the second round with a 193.8. Fellow Texan and eventual winner Terry Brian set low ET in the second round at 3.9648 at just 180.51 MPH.