Eric Buchanan

As round one eliminations continued, Eric Buchanan blasted header flames high to a stellar 3.83 at 177 mph to defeat Donny McSwain's solid 3.97 at 175 mph. In fact, McSwain's 3.97 was the third quickest pass of the round, but fell against the wrong opponent.

Jimmy Jones

Top qualifier Billington was out next with former five-time Champion Jimmy Jones in the other lane. Billington charged hard off the line and his 3.79 at 171 fell just under of the first round cap as Jones' 4.03 at 173 mph took the win. The two quickest winners, Dawson and Buchanan, were final-round bound in San Antonio.

Dawson had nothing left to do but cap off a championship-winning dream weekend with a win here, which would mark his third straight event victory, an incredible accomplishment that charged him to the top of the points standings. Dawson would have to get around the quicker Buchanan whose Terry Darby-tuned nitro-powered entry was looking to claim the final win of the season.