With several hours of rain in the forecast for Saturday afternoon, Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) officials moved the first round of eliminations up to Friday night at the Mid-Atlantic Showdown presented by Classic Graphix at Virginia Motorsports Park. The low qualifiers in several classes continued their success with first-round wins. 
 
After three qualifying sessions – one on Thursday night and two on Friday – the No. 1 qualifiers were Jim Halsey in Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous, Travis Harvey in WS Construction Pro Boost presented by P2 Contracting and Ty-Drive, Johnny Pluchino in Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock presented by AED Competition, Amber Franklin in M&M Transmission Pro 632, Chris Garner-Jones in Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle, Tim Essick in Menscer Motorsports Pro Street presented by Afco, and Blake Denton in Afco Super Street presented by Menscer Motorsports. All seven drivers won their first-round matchups.

 
In the sportsman classes, the low qualifiers were Buddy Perkinson in MagnaFuel Elite Top Sportsman presented by PAR Racing Engines, Victor Puglia in Laris Motorsports Insurance Elite Top Dragster, Barry Daniluk in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman presented by Corbin’s RV, and Frank Falter IV in Laris Motorsports Insurance Top Dragster. 
 
The low qualifiers in the Jr. Dragster classes were LJ Lewis in Coolshirt Systems Pro Jr. Dragster presented by PRP and Donald Bean V in Classic Graphix Top Jr. Dragster presented by PRP. Three drivers in Pro Jr. Dragster ran right on the 7.900 index, but it was LJ Lewis claiming the No. 1 spot over Danika Miles and Ava Meloni. The top of the qualifying order in Top Jr. Dragster was also stacked, with Bean taking the No. 1 spot with his .000 reaction time over Jason Geryes, who also had a perfect light. 
 
Top Sportsman and Top Dragster completed the first round of eliminations, while Elite Top Sportsman, Elite Top Dragster, the Jr. Dragster classes, and Edelbrock Bracket Bash presented by COMP Cams will begin eliminations on Saturday.