These were the only two categories where this arrangement occurred; all other classes were contested through the finals.

One of the highlights of the rain-delayed weekend was the special Outlaw Drag Radial race presented by Hot Rod Magazine, which paid $5,000 to the winner. Nearly 30 cars entered the event, but by the time the first round was called only 15 cars were still around to compete. The action was tempered early after a scary incident involving John Gotera’s Mustang. According to Gotera, the throttle on his car hung open forcing the car to lose

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control and strike the wall in the opposite lane. The collision caused a large fire, which engulfed the car. Gotera was able to get out of the car quickly as emergency workers arrived and was not hurt incident, but the car was nearly completely destroyed by the accident and subsequent fire. That was the only serious incident to occur.

West Coast racer, drag radial icon, and race favorite Rick Head went on to claim the win over Jim Filipowski (lead photo) after Filipowski’s Camaro launched into a violent wheelstand, ending any shot he had. Head meanwhile zipped past and posted an astonishing 7.76/181 mph run. 

In Flowmaster Nostalgia Pro Street, Tony Nesbitt claimed his first ever championship after beating last year’s champ and 2004 title contender, Ross Stomp in the semifinals. Nesbitt went on to defeat Dave Beeson in the finals of the class.

Vortech Xtreme Street became an emotional roller coaster for title contenders Tony Orts and Bob Curran. Orts, who was leading the points only needed to qualify and win one round of racing to hold Curran at bay. If Curran were to win the 2004 title he needed nothing less of a miracle, or in his case, have Orts to miss the first round as Curran advanced to (and won) the race while setting a new e.t. record on the way.

Lady Luck shined on Orts on Friday and Saturday as his car's engine had problems; had the rain not fallen, Orts may have been on the outside looking in come Sunday. As it was, Orts was able to repair his engine (twice) before taking a single lap. Orts' luck ran out on Monday as his engine failed again after leaving the starting line in the first round of qualifying. His shot at wining his second championship in three years was now out of his control and in the hands of Curran and Cameron Coble, who made a late season charge to challenge for the title.

Curran, who intentionally qualified low on the ladder, faced Coble in the second round. Coble’s white Nova got a slight jump on the blue Corvette of Curran, but according to Coble soon came in contact with some liquid on the track, which forced the car out of the groove. That bobble allowed Curran to catch up and pass the big-block car. Curran beat Coble to the stripe with a record-setting run of 8.27/165 mph run. Curran would go on to win the race over Gina Munden and also lower the record again when he posted two 8.22 ets in the semifinals and finals. Curran ended up doing hat many thought was impossible only three days earlier; win the race, and set the et record. By doing both he earned the 2004 Vortech Xtreme Street championship.