Mike McIntire Jr. (Steve Gruenwald photo)

Filling out the eight-car field were (in order) Shawn Bowen, Paul Romine, John Hale, Bruce Litton, and Tim Boychuk. Not making the field were Chris Bennett, Richard Hartman and Steve Nichols.

The momentum continued for Rupert as he shattered the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car record with a 5.559 at 261.93 mph in the first round.

The semifinals brought with it an unexpected twist as Rupert and three-time DRO AA Funny Car Challenge champion Bowen faced off and both shook their tires after the start. Bowen recovered from the incident and went on to the finals.

(Adam Cranmer photo)

Bowen met McIntire in the final and when the tree turned green the duo raced side by side until McIntire got out of the groove and Bowen’s “Violator” got the first win of 2016.