Shigematsu, a 16-year veteran of the Nitro Harley wars, earned No. 1 Qualifier status but was a mere two miles per hour slower than Andras in the final.

"It's absolutely wonderful. Racing in the panhandle of Florida has been a dream of mine," said Andras. "It's a dream come true. This is a great place and great people to race with. We were trying to get some .30s and .40s during the day, but we just couldn't get there because of the weather. We ran some consistent .50s and it was enough for a win."

Heartbreak struck more than one big name at the track during Pro Stock qualifying. Kevin Bealko, winner of the final at the IHRA Nitro Jam event in Baton Rouge last month, failed to qualify. His final time trial of the meet was his best (6.664 sec./197.45 mph), but he was bumped from the field, as were Dean Goforth and New Yorker John Pluchino.

John Montecalvo	Trevor Eman

New Yorker John Montecalvo won the U.S. Bounty Hunters Pro Stock class over Trevor Eman of Aruba, 6.318 sec./222.77 mph to 6.969/154.47.

"It's been a long time since we raced here in IHRA. Last time we raced his was in 2009 and we won the world championship then," said Montecalvo. "Man, I'm tellin' ya - I'm feelin' pretty good. This is a great organization. They really hired some good people over here. I am impressed with the way the (IHRA) operation runs.

"This field was the cream of the crop," continued Montecalvo, referring to the fact the Baton Rouge winner, Kevin Bealko, was unable to qualify for the eight-car field. "It's all tough competitors. It's only a couple hundredths of a second between us."