Jim Young at the wheel of Colorado businessman Steve Harwood’s “Nitro Hemi” ended up being the Top Fuel number-one qualifier at 5.80/247.32. This is the former Jack Harris “Nitro Thunder” dragster and is still tuned by Utah native Steve Watson, who was the crew chief when this car won at last year’s at the Nightfires in addition to many race wins with both Jack and Brett Harris.

Three hundredths of a second back was Long Island City, NY, driver/owner Tony Bartone at number two with a fine 5.83-second run.

Williamson’s earlier 5.87 was good enough for third and Murphy’s 5.92 took the fourth slot. Terry Cox, Adam Sorokin and Ron August Jr. rounded out the seven-car field.

The final AA/FC session showed only one position change in the eleven-car field. Devery Howard moved up three positions from the bump to number eight. This would be a pivotal move come eliminations on Sunday.

Devery Howard

Chris Davis and Richard Townsend both had runs they would have rather forgotten. 

Davis in the right lane threw a rod, on the burnout, and idled all the way to the turn off. This made for a lengthy clean up.