Just two days shy of being a month ago, Stevie "Fast" Jackson issued a proclamation. He declared the new Jerry Bickel-built Chevrolet Camaro for team owner Jeff Sitton would not only be quick but in due time be the quickest.

Wednesday during first day PTC Radial V. The World qualifying at No Mercy 8, the popular drag radial event at South Georgia Motorsports Park, Sitton drove the car, still complete with the new car smell, to the top spot with a 3.774 elapsed time at 196.19 miles per hour.

"I felt like there was a good chance this car was going to go to the top in the first session," Sitton confirmed. "We've made some good test runs with the car, so we were pretty confident in what it could do."

Sitton said the car has responded as expected with each pass up until Wednesday's inaugural competition run.

"The car has just worked from Day One," Sitton said. "Not sure if this run will hold through tomorrow's qualifying, in fact, I believe we can run quicker."

When asked if he bought into Jackson's initial confidence in the car, Sitton responded, "If anyone would know, it would be him."

"And I don't lie," Jackson added.

Dean Marinis drove his way to the top of the X275 division, running a 4.406, 163.93 to edge out Marty Chance, who turned in a 4.426. Josh Minzemayer topped the Limited 275 entries with a 4.715.

Jason Ruckert, of Terre Haute, Ill., laid down a 4.263 elapsed time, which by .001 edged out Shane Stack. Lights Out 8 winner Lyle Barnett was third with a 4.304.

Jim Aldous paced the Outlaw 632 division, as he drove his 1992 Camaro to a 4.472 elapsed time at 159.16.

Qualifying for No Mercy 8 resumes on Thursday morning at 9 AM, EST.