The one great thing about the Throwback Showdown II presented by Strange is all racers compete with virtually the same budget. After all, it is a virtual reality drag race. 

This is why Jeff Diehl, the runner-up from the original event in 2015 event, has excelled beyond what he could on the real-life drag strip. This is no sleight on the popular Diehl, who has found the right combination with the Jungle Jim scheme. 

Diehl, as of 8 PM, EST. jumped out to the early lead in reader-voted qualifying scoring a 26-percent majority of the votes cast. A distant second was Austin Prock snagging an impressive 15-percent with the Detroit Tiger rendition. Third place provisionally is J.R. Todd with the Dale Pulde "War Eagle" tribute. 

Sitting on the bubble at No. 15 is Jack Beckman with the Pisano & Matsubara entry, ahead of Bob Bode (Showtime) and Courtney Force (Brute Force Orange).

Qualifying runs through Friday evening at 8 PM, EST.