Defending NHRA Heritage Series champion Kris Krabill showed why he wears the No. 1 on the side of the Bucky Austin Funny Car Saturday afternoon at the Good Vibrations March Meet in Bakersfield, Ca.

Krabill established the low elapsed time of the round with a 5.613, 248.25 to take out Chris Davis.

John Hale left the big show of the NHRA at the end of the 2016 season. He's settled back into the familiar foundation of racing Nostalgia Funny Car. 

Hale advanced to the second round with a 5.630, 244.16 elapsed time to beat past event winner James Day.

No. 1 qualifier James McIntire wasn't up to his torrid pace in the first but didn't need to be as his 5.820 to take out Rian Konno, who trailed with a 6.019.

Jason Rupert can double his fortunes thanks to the Double Down bonus delivered by Auto Club Famoso Raceway owners John and Blake Bowser along with Budweiser. Rupert won a special drawing which enables him to double his prize winnings regardless of where he finishes in the event.

Rupert advanced to the second round with a 5.752, 250.37 with a victory over past 7.0 Pro series champion Michael Peck.

Also advancing to the second round was Steven Densham (Brad Thompson), Dan Horan (Mike Halstead), and Ryan Hodgson (Dan Gerber).

No. 11 runner Tim Nemeth scored the upset by taking out John Weaver's Omni, 5.767 to 6.042.

Sunday's second round match-up includes McIntire vs. Densham; Horan vs. Hodgson; Hale vs. Rupert and Krabill vs. Nemeth.

A final session homerun shot put defending Nostalgia Top Fuel champion Tony Bartone atop the eight-car field with a 5.634 elapsed time at 231.16 miles per hour. Friday's quickest Jim Murphy fell to second and failed to improve on his 5.724.

Mendy Fry anchored the eight-car field with a 6.024.

Dan Hix remained atop the AA/Fuel Altered field with a 6.284 elapsed time.