Qualifying

Weather conditions and track conditions were ideal with sunshine and mild temperatures and a tight track with plenty of grip. Twelve entries showed for the race and at the pre-race drivers’ meeting it was decided that all twelve would run in an extended ladder. Two qualifying rounds would set the ladder for the twelve entries.

Before official qualifying even began Bob Gulitti came up to make a check out pass and when he turned the car over it suffered terminal engine damage and the Cummins Motorsports entry was done for the day. That left eleven entries.

The first pair to roll out for qualifying had Shannon Wix in his Orange Pontiac GXP and E.J. Hickl’s ’41 Willys. Wix ran straight and full throttle posting a 4.38 at 164.96. Hickl had a fuel line leaking as he was pulling in to stage. The crew got the line tightened and at the green Hickl shook the tires hard and idled down track recording a 5.98 at only 86.74 mph.

Doug Morales

Second pair to the line had title contender Bengt Blomberg and Doug Morales. Morales laid down a fine 4.12/176.19 drifting to the right of his lane with a puff of white smoke at the line while Blomberg ran a career best ET of 4.19 at 172.61 mph letting everyone know he’s playing for keeps today.

Jay Ligon

Local fan favorite Richard Willett ran a straight and true 4.65/145.49 and Jay Ligon shook the tires hard in the blown US Army Pro Mod Truck posting a 4.98/156.58. The 2013 series champion, Chris Domino, and Kurt Hebel were up next with Domino laying down a solid 4.15/174.35 as Hebel shook the tires and got out of shape and legged it through, clocking a 5.01 at 151.36.