Modified Class
Despite the fact that Carlos Gonzales was eliminated in the first round at Gainesville, he qualified Number One with an 8.10 pass in his Mazda RX-3. Carlos, later backed up that time with an 8.15 in a race against Ed Alessi Jr. in Craig's Supra, allowing him to set another national record. Nelson Hoyos did a fine job taking over Stephanie Reeve's seat in the Bothwell Motorsports Chevy Cavalier with consistent 8-second passes. During the final round, Nelson ended up breaking in the burnout box. Carlos took his bye run and turned it into yet another national record. His final 165.5-mph trap speed was enough to back up his qualifying 167.12 mph. This trap speed gained Carlos the new national-speed record, previously set by Stephan Papadakis with 160.32.
Hot Rod Class
Jojo Callos and his Castrol-sponsored Acura Integra set another NHRA record for the Hot Rod class with an 8.893 pass. This also makes Jojo the first Hot Rod class car in the 8-second range. Setting one record wasn't quite enough for Jojo. In a solo pass during the first round of eliminations, he clocked at 161.52 mph for the national-speed record. During eliminations, Bruce Mortenson, in the Venom Civic, became the second Hot Rod car in the 8s with an 8.953 e.t. It was only fitting that these two 8-second screamers duel it out in the finals. Bruce's car had already been damaged during the earlier rounds, but he tried to stay in competition. The car was pulled to the side of the track shortly after leaving the line. Jojo, having nothing more to prove to the world, eased off the throttle to a 9.45 pass.
Street Tire Class
Everyone was expecting the reigning champion, Ari Yallon, to show up with his RX-7.com FD. His no-show allowed John Shepherd to take the Street Tire class with his Mitsubishi Eclipse. John's pass of 9.959 snatched him the spot at Number One qualifier. Right on his heels was Albert Diaz in his Toyota Supra. Although Albert qualified Number Two with a low 10-second run, he was no match for John in the finals. Once the lights tripped, John was long gone and made his best pass of the day with a 9.88 over Albert's 10.67.
All Motor Class
Jesus Padilla left a huge gap for the rest of the class when he qualified with a 10.451 in his '85 RX-7. During eliminations, Tony Shagday started off by breaking his previous national record of 10.89 with a 10.67 pass. Tony also set the national speed record with this run at 125.71 mph, leading everyone to believe he'd make it to the finals. After red-lighting against Jeremy Allen's Honda Civic, Tony was out of the running. With mid 11-second e.t.'s throughout the day, there was no question that Jeremy would have a tough race in the finals against Jesus. Jesus blasted by Jeremy with a 10.430, allowing him to break Tony's national e.t. record set earlier in the day.