Top Fuel racer Wayne Newby drove his way to the top of the qualifying ladder at the  AC Delco East Coast Thunder – The Nationals,  Round 2 of the Thunder 400 Series, and the first race of the 1,000-foot era in Australia. 

There have been 1,000-foot races before in Australia, but this event marks the first since the 400 Thunder Series announced it would race Top Fuel exclusively to the 1,000-foot mark. 

Newby, part of the Rapisarda Autosport International team, stopped the timers with a 3.918 elapsed time, at 312.42 miles per hour. Damien Harris was second with a 3.939.

In another historic feat for Australian drag racing, three female drivers qualified in the field with Kelly Bettes (4.062), Rachelle Splatt (4.114) and American Ashley Sanford (4.318).

The popular Pro Slammer division didn't disappoint either as Scott MacLean drove his Holden Monaro to a 5.657 elapsed time, at 255.19. 

MacLean opened qualifying with a 5.72, before unleashing his No. 1 run in the Q-2 session. On the pace-setting run, MacLean ran 3.729 to the eighth-mile. 

John Zappia, hot off of his American tour, was second with a 5.708, 251.63.

American Frankie Taylor was the No. 8 runner with a 5.908 in a brand-new 1979 Corvette as part of the Gulf Western team. His teammate Ben Bray was No. 10 with a 6.0676.

Pro Alcohol was paced by Steven Read, who ran a 5.486 in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo alcohol Funny Car. 

Over in Pro Stock, Aaron Tremayne was quickest amongst the 400-inch racers with a 7.001, 195.59 pass in his Grand-Am.

Series champion Chris Matheson paced the Top Bike division with a 6.316, while Corey Buttigieg led Pro Stock Bike with a 7.080.