The tone for an exciting day of Sportsman action was set early with a marquee matchup for all the marbles in the third round of Stock eliminator. Recently-crowned Top Dragster champion Jeff Strickland vied for a second championship in the same season. He took on challenger Brad Burton, himself a two-time Stock champion, in a race that would either seal the title for Strickland or provide the opportunity for Burton to pass him with one more round-win. 

Burton drove well, but Strickland and his COPO Camaro paired an .017 light with a 9.393 on his 9.39 dial to win it all. Strickland also won the quarterfinal round and will compete for the win tomorrow. However, John Irving, Bob Gullet, and Jody Lang have other plans.

Overcast conditions early in the day provided a virtual playground for Top Alcohol tuners in the final qualifying session. While Don St. Arnaud (Top Alcohol Dragster) and Jonnie Lindberg (Top Alcohol Funny Car) maintained their No. 1 positions with previous efforts, there were career bests throughout each field. 

Nick Januik anchored the quickest Top Alcohol Funny Car field in NHRA history with a 5.592 elapsed time. He parlayed his opportunity into a first-round upset when he defeated Lindberg, who banged the blower during their first-round matchup.

Ralph Van Paepeghem has a scheduled bye run to the Comp eliminator final tomorrow where he will face the winner of the Jim Greenheck vs. Brian Hyerstay final.

Sportsman greats David Rampy and Dan Fletcher are matched up in the Super Stock semifinals tomorrow. The winner will face either Jim Grossi or Bill Skillman in the money round.

2013 winner Bobby Dye Jr., Zach Meziere, Dick Vander Meer, and Michael Lane are the last four drivers standing in Super Comp.

Division 7 heavyweights Randy Balough, Brad Pierce, Ed Olpin, and Val Torres will be competing for the Wally in Super Gas tomorrow.