Mike Thompson hadn’t even planned on racing at Valdosta and ended up winning Super Chevy’s new-for-2005 Top Sportsman class. “We had gone to Montgomery (AL) for the NHRA Division 2 race and when that got rained out we decided to come here since it was on the way home anyway,” the Naples, FL, racer explained. Thompson qualified second with his ex-Barry Grant Pro Stocker, then defeated Charence Cloud and Frank Palmer before meeting number-one qualifier Dave Saul in the final. Unfortunately, Saul had problems with his transbrake on the line and Thompson made a leisurely solo pass to take the win.

Another Montgomery refugee was “Big Mike” Ruff in his third-generation Camaro, who beat the dragster of Cary “The Crow” Locke in the Super Pro final.

Thomasville, GA’s Brandon Wood hangs ‘em high on his way to the Pro final-round win over current NHRA class champion Kelly King.