It’s not all competition. Friday evening the Super Stockers made one Qualifying run which went flawlessly. Afterwards the Victory NSS family had a birthday party in the pits, celebrating multiple members’ birthdays with BBQ and cake. We figure we can use this photo for blackmail later. (Matt Mothershed photo)

During the first Qualifying session on Saturday, Tom Gaines suffered a massive transmission explosion. He received no injuries and, with the help of many of the Series racers, the track crew had the track cleaned and good as new in short order.

No question about what happened here. (Matt Mothershed photo)

Left to right: Chris Schneider, Victory Nostalgia Super Stock series director, Phil Cathey and Clay Kossuth. Cathey was rewarded with a $100 bonus courtesy of Clay Kossuth and Sons Auto. (Matt Mothershed photo)

Tom promises to have the car repaired in time for the next race at Cordova, Ill, on Aug. 26-27.

The rest of Qualifying went smoothly and when it was all done, Missouri racer, Phil Cathey was #1, running 0.002 above his 10.50 index.

Fellow Missourian Mike Volkart was a close second with a 0.009-over time. Tom Hoffman barely missed the #1 spot, posting a 0.001-under pass, showing everyone he came to race.