The Alcohol classes had one final shot to break into the field or improve before round one of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals kicked off on Sunday afternoon, and folks came with guns loaded. The final 16 emerged and the thrilling battle for a title earned at The Big Go ensued.

The Top Alcohol Dragster competition began with Duane Shields and Marty Thacker recording identical 5.377s, but Thacker was .029 at the tree to Shields' .042 for the win. Shawn Cowie was a bit off his game on the launch but managed to get around Buddy Domingue, and Ken Perry's red-light start helped Mike Kosky win with a slower e.t.

Darren Nicholson was second off the starting line but first to the finish when Jim Whitely slowed, and Mike Manners smoked the hides at the hit, sending Randy Meyer ahead to round two. Chase Copeland clocked top speed of the meet, 276.63, in a winning effort over Dave Heitzman.

The Alcohol classes had one final shot to break into the field or improve before round one of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals kicked off on Sunday afternoon, and folks came with guns loaded. The final 16 emerged and the thrilling battle for a title earned at The Big Go ensued.

The Top Alcohol Dragster competition began with Duane Shields and Marty Thacker recording identical 5.377s, but Thacker was .029 at the tree to Shields' .042 for the win. Shawn Cowie was a bit off his game on the launch but managed to get around Buddy Domingue, and Ken Perry's red-light start helped Mike Kosky win with a slower e.t.

Darren Nicholson was second off the starting line but first to the finish when Jim Whitely slowed, and Mike Manners smoked the hides at the hit, sending Randy Meyer ahead to round two. Chase Copeland clocked top speed of the meet, 276.63, in a winning effort over Dave Heitzman.

Bill Reichert and Chris Demke won their respective matches with Brandon Pierce and Robin Samsel.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Steve Harker, who struggled some in qualifying, got the nod over Vern Moats in the first pair out, and then Chris Foster defeated Brent Henry, 5.672 to 5.677. Fred Hagen overcame a .091 to .054 reaction in his meeting with Brian Harvanek, and Jay Payne automatically advanced when Cassie Simonton shook and then crossed the centerline, subjecting herself to a disqualification.

Thomas Carter blew a burst panel and slowed to help John Bojec to a round-win, and John Lombardo Jr. made his best run of the weekend, a 5.709, to send Alexis De Joria home empty-handed after she slowed at half track.

Mickey Ferro came close to the wall but stayed off of it after a .099 launch to Larry Dobbs' way late .243 and scored with a 5.592 to 5.818, and Tony Bartone earned the final win of the round with a near miss. Bartone's opponent, Rick Cortino, was first off the starting line but forfeited his lead early then got it back at around 300 feet when Bartone lost traction and had to pedal. Bartone got the tires to grip and raced ahead to see a winning 5.676 to 5.936 on the scoreboards.

Eliminations in the sportsman classes will continue on Monday, with the second round of the alcohol classes, the fourth round of Comp, round five of Stock, Super Gas, and Super Stock, and the sixth round of Super Comp.

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