Southwest Superchargers, running their points season opener, had a short field trying to make their spots in qualifying, but running on a 4.50 index, going +/- on either side. Those honors went to Joe Navar, who posted a 4.4998 at 152.75 mph with only six cars on hand.

As the finals approached, so did Mother Nature with thunder and lightning in the distance. The Street class and Jr. Dragsters were the only ones to get their finals run. TOPMA, Southwest Superchargers, Electronics and Foot Brake all got through their semifinals, but rain began before their finals could be run. Each of those classes took the split in money and points.

EJ Hickl

EJ Hickl (Sweeney) and Bob Alexander (Weatherford) were the two drivers scheduled to go for the TOPMA finals before rain interrupted the show. Hickl, in his wild “Crime Boss” 1941 Willys qualified seventh and got by Eric Clarke, who broke on his burnout, and Bill Doucet. Alexander, in his Camaro who got in as the number-eight qualifier, upset Reisterer in round 1, then Gaylen Smith, who went red.

Joe Navar

Don David

The Dragsters of Joe Navar (Dell City) and Don David (Cloud Croft, NM) were sitting in the staging lanes when a light rain started prompting officials to call a halt the remainder of the event. Navar got by Buck Woolen Jr., who went red in the semis, and Christian Leffew in round 1. David took out Jacob Penner and Leffew, who came back as fastest loser, in the semifinals.