Ronny Young in the “Blue Max” Arrow rounded out the top three qualifiers with a respectable 6.004/238.68 effort. (Jeff Burk photo)

ELIMINATIONS

Bowen earned the bye run in the first round. He could have idled through the quarter mile but instead he pounded the throttle to a 5.793/246.12 pass, practically guaranteeing himself lane choice in the semifinals. Mark Sanders’ 6.92/235.10 easily covered John Hale’s 6.22/214 and Ronny Young got by Fred Farndon when Farndon inexplicably pedaled his “Nitro Express” Plymouth Satellite, allowing Hale to drive by him for the win and a trip to the semis.

Ronny Young (near lane) and Fred Farndon.  (Jeff Burk photo)

In the semifinals Bowen really showed his hand with a near DRO record 5.731/249.44 (Series records are 5.707 and 253.42mph) thrashing of Young, who slowed to a 6.283 at just 187+. When there are fewer than seven cars the quickest loser in the first round is brought back to even up the ladder.