Rain fell on Brainerd Motorsports Park, but the wet stuff couldn't dampen the red-hot sportsman competition during opening day qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals qualifying.

Eric Bell's classic Mopar, a GT/EA 1968 Barracuda, drove to the top of the 51-car Super Stock field with a 9.104 elapsed time, -0.996 under the index. The Pontiacs of Bill Rink (SS/MA) and Michael Mans (SS/AS) rounded out the top three.

Jackie Olson's P/Stock Automatic 1986 GMC was the top qualifier in Stock with a 12.194, -1.256 under the index. The slower end of the Stock index spectrum ruled the roost as the V/Stock Automatic Buick Regal of Jay Randall was second, while Brian Seaburg's T/Stock Automatic 72 Comet was third.

Jenifer White ran a 6.191, 218.65 to pace Top Dragster while former Pro Stock racer Paul Pittman led Top Sportsman with a 6.515, 214.55.