A capacity crowd filed into No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana, about an hour outside of New Orleans, and what they saw was some absolutely competitive drag racing during the NHRA's Division 4 season opener. 

Witchita, Kansas-based Top Alcohol Dragster racer Aaron Cooper picked up his second career win, stopping Jackie Fricke in the final round. Cooper ran a 5.302 elapsed time at 283.25 to drive around Fricke's 5.385, 265.13. The second-generation drag racer tied his father, Gary Cooper, in NHRA wins with the victory.

"This is a great way to start the season," Jones said. "We don't know how many races we can run in a year. We just run the regional races. So to come out here and get a leg up on some great cars in our division, it's an awesome start to the year. It's all I can really say because we'd really like to get in the JEGS All-Stars. It's one of the ways we can show we can kind of run with the guys that are out there getting a ton of runs. Just happy to get another one for my dad. I'm tied with him now. We both got two Wallys."

Over in the Top Alcohol Funny Car division Kyle Smith completed his clean sweep of the event by stopping Bob McCosh in the final round. Smith ran a 5.513 to beat McCosh's 5.658.

"It's always tough to start out the year," Smith said. "We made some changes over the winter, and we really didn't know what the car was going to do. The weather down here is always weird. Last year was really good air and this year not so good.

"So we just came in with the idea we were going to give it our best, and obviously Bob McCosh, he's a top contender year-end and year out, so we're just blessed to get the win. Dad did a great job tuning. I did alright driving. So we're just excited for the year."

Brad Brewer didn't improve on his Friday's -.762 performance under the B/Altered index, but that didn't mean he didn't come up big during Saturday's qualifying. Because of the Rooftec Competition Eliminator Bonus fund, he picked up a $1000 bonus by winning both of his qualifying runs (set up on a handicap) with a combined 1.504 against his index and taking home the A-field title.

"Right now, the car's like a bracket car," Brewer said. "We haven't really changed a thing all weekend. And when the sun comes out, it's on the edge of being hot, and when it's shady, it's a little tight. It seems like it's going to work real well for us throughout the day. So, we just kind of been running with it and it's just repeating."

Sportsman veteran Jeff Taylor was the runner-up in the A-field, with a combined 1.303 after also winning both of his races.

Also in the Rooftec Competition Eliminator Bonus, Kevin Duet picked up $500 for winning the B-field title.

Brewer has the bye run in the first round of Sunday's eliminations, but as the ladder shapes up will face the winner of the Jeff Taylor/Allen Wilson match-up in the second round.

Anthony Rhodes finally sealed the deal. The Super Stock/AH racer from Charleston, SC, grabbed the popular Hemi Chootout title, driving his 1968 Barracuda to victory over longtime runner Steve Kent.

Rhodes, who qualified second behind Jim Pancake, stopped Jack Peterson in the first round and scored a bye run into the final round. He gained his first career victory when Kent rolled the beams and fouled.

"It was exciting as hell," Rhodes said. "Thanks to my crew, my family, and everybody. I couldn't have done it without them. And also Mr. Charlie Westcott. And I want to thank Benny, Kimberly for putting this race on, and the No Problem Raceway. Thank y'all."

Qualifying concluded in the remainder of the classes, and those leaders included Brett Candies (Super Stock, FSS/GT, -.976), Cory Statler (Stock, A/Stock Automatic, -1.133), Ross Laris (Top Sportsman, 6.113), Darren Boesch (Top Sportsman, 6.163).