After Qualifying, the Victory group hosted a free benefit BBQ in the pits in honor of the memory of former NSS racer Tom Mitchell. At the end of a fun filled evening of BBQ and fellowship, more than $1,600 was raised for Racers For Christ in Tom’s name. (Matt Mothershed photo)

On race day there were six rounds of racing and a champion to be crowned. Round 1 started with a huge upset. Carl Nappier in his first full season used an awesome .04 holeshot start to take out Points Leader Vanhook. This made the race for the Championship wide open.

After suffering a catastrophic engine explosion earlier in the year, Dennis Spurgeon competed with a loaner motor from Series Title Sponsor, Dennis Mothershed. He entered the race in third place and continued on to Round 2 with a good win over close neighbor Jimmy Brandon. Other notable points contenders that won in the first round included Bob Lantero, Tim Frees, Tom Hoffman, Jerry Bolton and Bob Lister.

Missouri racer Bob Lister claimed the Muscle Motors #1 Qualifier Award. (Dennis Mothershed photo)

The dedicated Victory racers quickly cooled and fueled their cars and returned to the lanes for Round 2. Dennis Spurgeon kept his championship hopes alive with an incredibly close win over a tough Kevin Miller and his ’65 Dodge. Tim Frees suffered a heart-breaking loss to Rosie Kossuth with a .006 break-out on his 10.50 Index after a stellar .015 light. Number 2 in points, Tom Hoffman, moved on after Ralph Dehne redlighted.