While the nostalgia top fuelers brought the faithful into the grandstands, fans were ready to see a strong field of nitro floppers bolstering the Pomona crowd to what was estimated at near 30,000 for the Friday-Saturday meet.

Nathan Bugg led qualifiers driving the Lil Nate '71 Charger, but was out in the second round at the hand of Randy Walls. Bugg retained top Funny Car speed of the meet at 229.27 mph.

West Covina's Dick Stannard and Ed Schwarz made their long-awaited debut in the Estrus Vega funny car, but failed to qualify. Along the way Goodguys awarded the gorgeous flopper the Most Nostalgic Race Car trophy.

Dan Horan's '66 Mustang, sporting a new Carter paint job, plowed through the funny car field with his Dale Pulde-tuned ride setting low e.t. for the class with his 6.178 in the final against Randy Walls' Nova.

Larry Pettit went out in the second round after defeating Mike Adams' Vette in the first race. Pettit's pretty new '71 Mustang dubbed "Crazy Horse" ran 6.836/228.71 in his second round loss to Horan.

DRO's Jeff "Mr. Pammy" Utterback driving Jeff Gaynor's '70 Cuda blazed the tires at the hit of the throttle in his first round loss to Nathan Bugg.