Hale streaked to a track record 247+ lap in the first qualifying round. (Mike Garland photo)

In the final it was defending DRO series champ, Texan John Hale, matched up against Michigander Shawn Bowen driving the Bowen family “Violator” ’77 Pontiac Firebird. Bowen took the measure of Hale with a 5.890 ET to Hale’s 5.914 in a race that was basically decided by Bowen putting nearly a tenth of a second holeshot on the two-time series champ.

The race, first for the series since the season opener back in April at Texas Raceway in Kennedale, Texas, was originally scheduled to be a six-car field but when the pre-entry list swelled to 12 cars an amazing thing happened: Series supporters Dennis Mothershed of Victory Performance Parts and Michael Brotherton, owner of RaceAuctions.com, offered to put up enough cash to allow eight teams to qualify instead of the scheduled six.

Mike Garland photo

Stewart was on the pole after two rounds of qualifying with a motor-wounding 5.924/230.84 blast. Joining Stewart as 5-second qualifiers were Texan Ronny Young in his “Blue Max” ‘79 Arrow with a 5.927/246.57 and Bowen with a 5.945/240.95. The top half of the field was rounded with Hale setting fourth with a 6.020/247.16. Hale’s qualifying speed of 247.16 set a new track speed record for AA/FC.