Larry Dixon returned to the Top Fuel ranks and, with only 16 competitors at Houston, qualified in the middle of the field at number 9. In the first round against Spencer Massey, Dixon was up in smoke as soon as he hit the throttle. He shook hard and the chutes came out.

Richie Crampton, who was making only his sixth career Top Fuel start, piloted his GEICO / Lucas Oil dragster to a performance of 3.807 seconds at 322.11 mph, which led the Friday qualifying. He ended up in the number 9 qualifying spot and then lost to Brittany Force in the first round of eliminations.