Both cars left like a bullet but Ed Schwartz got completely sideways and almost put the immaculate Fiat upside down while Vince Generalao was just as entertaining in the far lane. Vince finally also had to lift when he made slight contact with the guardrail, just brushing the rear tire, but still managed to finish the pass at 10.25, 157 mph for the win.
Dave Hix made a really long smoky burnout but could not get the Hi-Tech roadster in reverse, so while he was shut off on the track, Bob Godfrey in “Flamed Fortune” developed a leak on the starting line and wisely shut off. Neither driver were pleased by the situation, but Hix elected to make a single which resulted in a sideways, shutting off early but OK pass of 6.74, 143 mph. John Ruff is his crew chief.
The “Rat Trap” and “Arizona Thunder” were next up, and once again Ron Hope had some major handling problems with the “Trap,” but still manged a 7.16, 176 mph out of the Bantam roadster. Mike Hilsabeck in the “Thunder” ran the best time thus far of the round at a fine 6.59, 206.54 mph. Hilsabeck's car is the 1973 Jim Dunn Funny Car.
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So it came down to the final two, Rich Howell in "Powerplay" a full on Transformer/Fuel Altered facing James Generalao in his Nostaglia style, one mag, small blower, single fuel pump T roadster from Las Vegas.
Dale Pulde really had the “Powerplay” hopped up and six feet of flames belched out of the headers, while Generalao was loaded for bear too. Instantly Generalao headed for the guardrail and wisely backed out of it only to see Howell's car turning into a roman candle show at the half track as the clutch expired. Howell still managed to come up with a 6.52, 146.78 mph and the victory, while the “Impatient” team settled for runner-up.
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